Is Mahabharata's Ashwatthama still alive today?

New Delhi: Guru Dronacharya in devotion to Lord Shiva prayed for a son who would embody the divine attributes of the deity. Lord Shiva responded by blessing him with a son named Ashwatthama. This child was born with a gem on his forehead, symbolizing Shiva’s third eye, a mark of divine favor and protection. Ashwatthama’s birth was seen as a miraculous gift from the gods which signifies his unique destiny.

Aswatthama's role in the Mahabharata

During the epic Mahabharata, Dronacharya was renowned for his invincibility on the battlefield, owing to his profound knowledge of shastras. Despite his prowess, Lord Krishna aided the Pandavas by subtly disarming Dronacharya which led to his eventual demise in the conflict. This act of divine intervention marked a turning point in the war.

Wrath of Ashwatthama

The death of his father left Ashwatthama seething with rage. In his desperation to end the bloodshed, he urged Duryodhana to seek peace. However, following Duryodhana’s death, Ashwatthama's fury drove him to seek vengeance. He turned to Lord Shiva who granted him the terrifying Rudra form, a manifestation of Shiva’s most fearsome aspect.

Mistake ignites fury

Using his newfound power, Ashwatthama stealthily infiltrated the Pandavas' camp under the cover of night. Unfortunately, he mistakenly slaughtered the Pandavas' sleeping sons, believing them to be his targets. In a gruesome act, he killed Bhima’s son and brought the head to Duryodhana, only to realize his grave error. This atrocity incited the Pandavas' intense anger.

Clash of Brahmastras

In the ensuing conflict, both Arjuna and Ashwatthama unleashed the Brahmastra, a weapon with the potential to annihilate the world. Ved Vyasa intervened, advising them to retract their weapons. Arjuna was able to do so, but Ashwatthama could not. Driven by unrelenting revenge, Ashwatthama aimed to obliterate Uttara’s unborn child, the last heir of the Pandavas. Lord Krishna stepped in to prevent this catastrophic act.

Curse of Krishna

Outraged by Ashwatthama’s cruelty, Krishna cursed him with Kushta, a debilitating disease that would cause his skin to decay and render him repulsive. Krishna also instructed Bhima to remove the gem from Ashwatthama’s forehead. The tale ends with a lingering mystery, the fate of Ashwatthama remains uncertain, as he continues to suffer from his curse and wounds.

Mysterious encounter in 1192

In 1192, after his victory over Muhammad Ghori, the legendary warrior Prithviraj Chauhan ventured into the forests. There, he encountered a peculiar figure, a towering man, reeking of decay, with numerous strange wounds. Recognizing the man's familiarity with Ayurvedic practices, Chauhan offered to treat him. During the examination, Chauhan discovered an unusual wound on the man’s forehead, which seemed to suggest that part of his brain had been removed. In fact, this discovery led Chauhan to suspect that this enigmatic figure was Ashwatthama.