We’re at a very crucial juncture wherein Ashwatthama is raging with anger, and is prepared to kill the Paandava brothers in the most cowardly way ever – Hitting them while they are fast asleep. With this savage resolution of doing a cold-blooded murder, Ashwatthama approaches the tent area where the Paandavas are fast asleep. As he advances further, he is intercepted by the “Dharma-Devata”, who is standing outside in the form of a huge “Raakshasa” (Demon). As an intruder is advancing, “Dharma-Devata” quickly understands the impending danger and tries to stop Ashwatthama. In return, a brief battle ensues between the two, wherein Ashwatthama is trying several ways to kill this demon-like person, however, he is unable to succeed in his pursuit. All his arrows and swords are being neutralized by “Dharma-Devata”. As we’ve seen yesterday, this “Dharma-Devata” is protecting the Paandava brothers as a resultant of the enormous “Dharma” that Yudishtra has performed all through his lifetime!
As Ashwatthama is failing to neutralize this “Dharma-Devata”, he doesn’t know how to progress further! Only if this “Dharma-Devata” is killed, will he be able to proceed further. Hence, Ashwatthama decides that no “Maanushya-Shakti” (Human capability) can destroy this demon-like person, and the only way to go about it is to perform a “Tapas” towards Bhagawan Shiva! Ashwatthama decides that he would perform a “Yaagam” (Spiritual offering) then and there, towards Bhagawan Shiva! He informs Sage Kripachaarya about this, and with his help, Ashwatthama starts meditating on Bhagawan Shiva on that spot itself! As he does so, Bhagawan Shiva presents him with a divine sword, which can neutralize the “Dharma-Devata” as well as the ones who are sleeping inside! As Bhagawan Shiva does so, He says thus, “Oh Ashwatthama! Till today, I’ve been silent because I’ve to respect Bhagawan Krishna’s words and divine mission. However, now that everything is coming to an end, as a “Samhaara-Moorthi” (Destroyer of the world), I’ve to fulfil my responsibility! Hence, I myself am entering into this divine sword, which will swing into action to unleash destruction. Oh Ashwatthama! You may go ahead in utilizing this sword for whatever mission you’re wanting to accomplish! You may even wonder why I’m saying all this to you – Bhagawan Krishna has already calculated how many people should be alive at the end of this war. Now that the war has come to an end, only those people should be alive, and the rest of them have to be destroyed! Till now, I was waiting for this war to get over, and now, I shall fulfil my responsibility to destroy all the other people who are surviving post this war, apart from those whom Bhagawan Krishna wants to continue living here!”
All these events unfold within minutes, and Ashwatthama is quick enough to pounce on this opportunity. Within a flash, Ashwatthama unleashes his new powerful sword over the “Dharma-Devata”, and unable to bear its intensity, “Dharma-Devata” falls on the ground, dead! Now, as Ashwatthama has eliminated the stumbling block, he has free access to the people who are inside the tents. He makes his move swiftly and sees Drishtadhyumna and Shikhandi sleeping in one of the tents. Similarly, there are five people who are the sons of the Paandava brothers and Draupati These people are referred to as the “Upa-Paandavas”. Looking everywhere in all directions, Ashwatthama quickly plans his next move – Who should he kill first, and how does he proceed with his pursuit? He sees Drishtadhyumna on one side and Shikhandi on the other. Ashwatthama decides that before he captures the “big fish”, he would want to kill the others who surround it! The “big fish” here in this context is Yudishtra and the Paandava brothers. So, the strategy is very clear now – The first people under Ashwatthama’s radar are Drishtadhyumna and Shikhandi!
So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall witness Ashwatthama unleashing his wrath slowly and steadily! Stay tuned for the action to begin!
The Indian Dharma 