Duryodhan’s Final Words
In the great battle of Kurukshetra, Duryodhan, the leader of the Kauravas, lay dying after being fatally wounded by Bheem’s attack. His last words were filled with pain and anger. He said,
“The world will think Bheem killed me, but you are the real reason for my death.”
Duryodhan
He spoke these words to Ashwathama, a warrior whose actions were so terrible that even Duryodhan, who had done many wrong things himself, was shocked.
During the war, Duryodhan received news that the Pandavas, his enemies, had been killed. For a brief moment, he was overjoyed, thinking that his greatest obstacle had been removed. But soon, he learned the truth—that the people killed were not the Pandavas, but their innocent sons. When Duryodhan realized this, his happiness turned to anger and deep sorrow. He cried out in despair, asking, “What terrible thing have you done?” The person who committed this tragic mistake was Ashwathama, the son of the great warrior Guru Dronacharya and an incarnation of Lord Shiva. In that moment, Ashwathama became the most hated and sinful warrior in the Mahabharata.
Lets discover the sequence of events one by one.
The Birth of Ashwathama: A Divine Child
Ashwathama’s story began long before the war. He was born to Guru Drona, the great teacher of warfare, and was no ordinary child. His father had performed years of penance to Lord Shiva, asking for a son who would be as powerful as the god himself. When Ashwathama was born, he did not cry like other babies. Instead, he let out a loud noise that echoed like a horse’s neigh, which shook the earth and sky. Because of this, he was named Ashwathama, which means “one who sounds like a horse.”
According to ancient texts, Ashwathama was an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He was born with a special gem on his forehead, representing Shiva’s third eye. This gem made him invincible—no weapon, disease, hunger, or thirst could kill him. He was granted the boon of immortality, which meant that he would live forever.
Ashwathama: The Fearless Warrior
Guru Drona knew that his son would become a powerful warrior, and so he trained Ashwathama in the art of war. Many believe that Drona only taught the secret of the Brahmastra, a divine weapon, to Arjuna, but this is not true. He also taught it to his son, Ashwathama. Like Arjuna, Ashwathama was a skilled archer, but he struggled with controlling his emotions. Being a part of Shiva, his anger and ego were intense.
Throughout the Mahabharata war, Ashwathama proved his strength time and again. He fought for the Kauravas alongside his father and his close friend Duryodhan. He defeated powerful warriors like Bheem, Yudhishthir, and Dhristadyumna multiple times. Ashwathama was the only warrior who did not fear Ghatotkach and his magical powers. He single-handedly killed around one lakh (100,000) Pandava soldiers with his arrows. He even saved Jaidrath from Arjuna and rescued Karna from defeat at the hands of Arjuna.
The Fall of Guru Dronacharya
Despite his prowess, Ashwathama’s life took a dark turn when his father, Guru Drona, was killed. Drona was leading the Kaurava army, and no one could defeat him. But Lord Krishna, the guide of the Pandavas, came up with a plan to disarm Drona. Krishna spread a false rumor that Ashwathama, Drona’s son, had been killed. Hearing this news, Drona was heartbroken and put down his weapons, which allowed Dhristadyumna to kill him.
When Ashwathama found out about his father’s death, he was consumed with anger. Even though he wanted to stop the war and make peace with the Pandavas, it was too late. On the 18th day of the war, Ashwathama saw his friend Duryodhan severely wounded and struggling for his life. Duryodhan had been unfairly attacked on his thigh, which broke the rules of war. In that moment, Ashwathama promised to avenge him and destroy the Pandavas.
Ashwathama’s Revenge: A Night of Terror
Determined to keep his promise, Ashwathama worshipped Lord Shiva and received his blessings. He entered the Pandavas’ camp at night, filled with rage and power. In his anger, Ashwathama killed everyone who crossed his path, including great warriors like Dhristadyumna and Shikhandi. He set fire to the tents, burning many soldiers alive as they slept.
In his blind fury, Ashwathama entered a small tent where five people were sleeping. Thinking they were the Pandavas, he killed them all. He even beheaded one, believing it was Bheem, and took the head to Duryodhan. But when he realized that he had not killed the Pandavas but their innocent sons, Ashwathama was devastated. The next morning, when the Pandavas returned to their camp, they found everything in ruins. Their entire army was destroyed, and their sons were dead. Overcome with grief and rage, the Pandavas wanted to destroy Ashwathama.
The Clash of Brahmastras: Catastrophic Showdown
A fierce battle began between Ashwathama and Arjuna, one of the Pandavas. Both warriors prepared to use the Brahmastra, a powerful weapon that could destroy the entire universe. As the two weapons were about to collide, the wise sage Ved Vyas appeared and stopped them. He advised both warriors to withdraw their weapons, warning them of the destruction they could cause.
Arjuna listened to Ved Vyas and took back his Brahmastra. However, Ashwathama, still burning with anger and revenge, refused to retreat. Instead, he redirected his weapon towards Uttara, who was pregnant with the last remaining descendant of the Pandavas. Seeing this, Lord Krishna intervened and used his Sudarshan Chakra, a powerful weapon, to stop Ashwathama’s attack.
Krishna’s Curse: Ashwathama’s Eternal Suffering
Ashwathama’s actions filled Lord Krishna with immense anger. As a punishment, Krishna cursed Ashwathama with a terrible fate. He declared that Ashwathama would suffer from a wound on his forehead that would never heal. His skin would rot, and blood would continuously flow from his wounds. People would fear him and run away, leaving him to wander the earth like a beggar, with no rest or peace. Even death would not release him from his suffering. Following this, Bheem was ordered to remove the gem from Ashwathama’s forehead, which marked the beginning of his eternal curse.
Ashwathama: The Immortal Wanderer
According to legend, Ashwathama still roams the earth, cursed to live forever. It is believed that he is waiting for the final incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who will help free him from his curse and end his suffering. Over the centuries, many people have claimed to see Ashwathama, but the truth remains a mystery.
Ashwathama and Prithviraj Chauhan
The legend of Ashwathama extends beyond the Mahabharata. In 1192, after the first battle with Muhammad Ghori, the great warrior Prithviraj Chauhan encountered a strange man in the jungle. This man was 12 feet tall, muscular, and emitted a strange smell. His body appeared sick, and he had a deep wound on his head, as if someone had removed his brain.
Prithviraj Chauhan, who was also a knowledgeable physician, offered to treat the man’s wound. But after a week of treatment, the wound showed no signs of healing. Nervous, Prithviraj asked the man, “Are you Ashwathama?” The man softly replied, “Yes,” and then disappeared.
But how did Prithviraj recognize Ashwathama? The answer lies in the wound on his head and the ancient story of Ashwathama told in the Mahabharata. Read what happened after Mahabharat .
The Unsolved Mystery
Ashwathama’s story is one of immense power, tragic mistakes, and eternal suffering. His tale has been told for centuries, and while many details are known, the truth about his existence remains a mystery. Could Ashwathama still be wandering the earth, waiting for redemption? The mystery remains unsolved.
What do you think? Do you believe in the story of Ashwathama? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you liked this story share it for more fascinating stories.
