Feb 10 2020, 10:18
Om Namah Shivaya
As mentioned in Hindu scriptures, there have been several sages, lords of heaven, and men and women, who were blessed with immortality. They have never been seen by mortals of present time, but their existence continues to linger.
There have been several archeological evidences found in India that hint towards ancient religious events, like Mahabharata and Ramayana, while some findings even point towards the existence of Gods on Earth.
Among those who were blessed with immortality back in ancient times, was Ashwathama, son of Guru Drona, from Mahabharata.
He was a warrior and true friend of Duryodhana, and even fought on the side of Kauravas against Pandavas, in the iniquitous war of Kurukshetra.
He was the grandson of Great Sage Bharadwaja, one of the Saptrishis. Ashwatthama was third in the line of warriors, after Karna and Arjuna, who killed most number of army men in the Kurukshetra war.
Of the 11 avatars of Rudra, was Ashwatthama, who was also the one of the seven Chiranjivis, who could live until the time ends; thus turning them into immortals.
But, did you know that immortality was a curse bestowed on Ashwatthama by Lord Krishna? It is said, ever since the war of Kurukshetra, Ashwatthama had been wandering on Earth, unseen by any mortal.
According to the ancient Hindu legends, after being informed of his father, Guru Dronacharya’s death, Ashwatthama with revenge on his mind, went to fight of Pandavas.
And, it was during that time that he un-instigated killed Draupadi’s brother and all five sons of Pandavas, in their sleep.
Determined to destroy the Pandava clan, he aimed a Brahmastra at Pandavas. On Sage Vyasa’s intervention, he stopped.
Ashwatthama, however, didn’t know how to withdraw the astra. So, he changed the direction of the Brahmastra and in his revenge, aimed it at Arjuna’s daughter-in-law, Uttara, who was carrying his grandchild, Abhimanyu’s child.
Mar 25 2020, 20:25