In the previous episode, we had witnessed Ashwatthama’s gross inability to take back the “brahma-Shiras” “Asthram” that he had employed to destroy the entire Pandava clan. Sage Vyaasa angrily intervenes and is about to curse Ashwatthama very badly for the blunder that he has committed. It is not just the destruction of the Pandavas that is under question here – Ashwatthama’s “Brahma-Shiras” is like a nuclear weapon which has the capability to destroy the entire world. As Sage Vyaasa takes out his “Kamandalam” and sprinkles water from it on Ashwatthama with a curse, Bhagawan Krishna quickly intervenes. He puts this entire fiasco to rest by declaring that from this point onwards, “Deiva-Sankalpam” (Divine Will) will take over. Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna starts His “Divine Play”. What is He going to do? How is He going to save the Pandavas from here on?
Moving on thus, Bhagawan Krishna replies to Ashwatthama – “Oh Dhrauni! (Son of Guru Dhronachaarya)! You’ve committed a blunder today and the entire world will remember you for it. Now you’ve done whatever you’ve to do, go away from this place after accepting defeat! You should not be present here even for a moment more! Oh Ashwatthama! Whatever you wished, will never happen in this world! The Pandava brothers cannot be killed! Moreover, you’ve also tried to destroy the entire “Vamsam” (Clan) of the Pandava brothers by targeting Utthara’s “Garbham” (Womb)! (Utthara is the wife of Abhimanyu, who is pregnant while the war is going on)!” As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Ashwatthama replies back – “Oh Krishna! I know you will intervene and do some tricks here and there to save them! This is why I’m very particular that the next generation of the Pandavas should not exist. Now this “Brahma-Shiras” will destroy Utthara’s womb and when she gives birth, the child will be born as a burnt stick! It will not survive!”
As Ashwatthama says thus, Bhagawan Krishna becomes angry. He replies back thus, “Oh Ashwatthama! You think that you’ve achieved something great! But do not rest on your laurels! “Deiva Sankalpam” is more powerful than any other thing in this world! I’ve decided that this child will survive! Nobody can stop it! You’ve destroyed her womb, haven’t you? I know how to give life to that burnt stick that comes out of Utthara! No matter how much ever you try, you will not be able to destroy the “Pandava-Vamsa”! There is going to be the successor of Yudishtra by name “Parikshit” and he will happily rule the kingdom after Yudishtra retires. Moreover, when Abhimanyu was born to Arjuna and Subadhra (Subadhra is Bhagawan Krishna’s sister, who got married to Arjuna. We’ve seen this in our earlier episodes as well), there was a “Divine voice” which claimed the greatness of their son! Similarly, for the next generation too, the voice claimed that there will be no destruction at all by any means! Parikshit is here to survive and rule!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna becomes more angry than ever. He now says thus, “Oh Ashwatthama! For all that you’ve done in such a cowardly manner, I’m hereby cursing you – You will be alive in this world for the next 3,000 years or so, and will be insulted left, right and centre by anybody and everybody who sees you! You will get beaten up, insulted, abused, etc. wherever you go in this world! You’ve to live like this for three thousand years! Forget Sage Vyaasa cursing you – This curse of mine will definitely come true and you are going to reap the fruit for what you’ve done to Yudishtra & Co.!”
This is the reason why it is believed that Ashwatthama is still alive in some part of the world! So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion forward into the next episode as well! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 