Ashwathama Parva is the eightieth upa parva included in the tenth maha parva, named Sauptika Parva. This is also called Ashwathama Nirgamaṇa Parva, since he departed after the advice of Krishna, and Ashwathama was given into the custody of Vyasa, whom he followed to learn moral ethics. Vaishampayana continued the narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.
Why had the Pandava brothers not returned to their camp on the seventeenth and eighteenth evenings?
On the seventeenth evening, instead of going back to their own army camps, the Pandava brothers went to an undisclosed hiding place as per the instructions of Krishna. By that evening, Karna had fallen, while Kripa was still alive since he was near the throne. Karna had already died following his own vows and the yoga of his lifetime. All the Kaurava brothers died except Yuyutsu and Duryodhana. The father of Yuyutsu was Dhritarashtra and his mother was Sughada, the maid-servant of Gandhari.
On the first day morning of the war, Yuyutsu had already joined the Pandavas’ side, leaving the Kauravas’ side. Since the entire Kurukshetra area was filled with blood-stained, wounded soldiers, holy people like Durvasa Rishi could not find a peaceful place to sit for their evening prayer. Some soldiers were given meat and pork to eat every day. It was noteworthy that the pigsty of livestock kept in underground cages was empty but without bloodstains. Bhima ordered hunted meats, with instructions to trace the missing Duryodhana. The butchery was done in the army kitchens only, and the wastage was neatly processed. Hence, near the Oghavati River, one pigsty was selected by Krishna for hiding and night resting for the Pandavas.
Dhrishtadyumna with his charioteer went to the Pandavas’ army camp and slept inside there. The five Upapandavas were also there with Shikhandi. The place where the pigs had been kept, now empty, was found suitable for evening prayer by Durvasa Rishi, as there were no bloodstains. Wooden planks covered the pigsty. The tank-like cage was covered with planks and the five Pandavas hid beneath them. It was near a tributary of the Saraswati River called Oghavati.
Krishna visited Durvasa Rishi and requested him to reveal his place for evening prayer. Durvasa Rishi happily announced the pigsty. He asked Krishna what should be done. Krishna smiled and requested Durvasa to do his evening prayers and not leave his nature. Thus, the pigsty was ascertained to be the safest place for Durvasa. The Pandavas were born by the sacred mantras of Durvasa used by Kunti. Krishna advised the Pandavas to rest there since Ashwathama would not disturb them there, being afraid of Durvasa. On the eighteenth evening, the same place was used, to remain away from Charvaka. Sleeping without disturbance was arranged by Krishna.
Who was Charvaka and why did the Pandavas keep away from him?
Charvaka was a demon, not a combatant in the war, and a friend of Duryodhana. The Pandavas therefore kept away from him.
Why were the Pandavas hiding in pigsties on the seventeenth night?
Krishna knew many things. He instructed the Pandavas not to sleep near the prisoners’ camp. Ashwathama came near the banks of the Oghavati River, but seeing Durvasa performing his evening prayers, he was afraid of his anger-power and went away.
Late in the evening, Ashwathama searched for Duryodhana. From Kripa and Kritavarma he learned about Duryodhana’s hiding underwater in Dwaipayana Sarovara. To please Duryodhana, he persuaded Kripa and Kritavarma to accompany him and committed the violent killings of Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, and other soldiers. Dhrishtadyumna’s charioteer fled and informed Yudhishthira, and Bhima caught Ashwathama. Thus the Pandavas were saved in the pigsties.
After the cruel massacre, where did Ashwathama go?
जगाम हस्तिनापुरं कृपः शारद्वतस्तदा ।
स्वमेव राष्ट्रं हार्दिक्यो द्रौणिर्व्यासाश्रं ययौ ॥
Kripa returned to Hastinavati. Kritavarma went to Dwaraka, his own country. After the cruel massacre, Ashwathama went to the hermitage of Vyasa at Badarikashrama. He used a good horse to ride away quickly, since he feared Draupadi, but he obeyed the words of Vyasa. He lost his Brahma Shira Mani with divine powers and was barred from entering Hastinavati at night.
What different weapons did Ashwathama use that proved useless?
With a sword, he killed Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, and other soldiers. He used the Narayanastra after the death of Drona, but the Pandavas surrendered before it as per Krishna’s instructions, so it vanished into the sky on the thirteenth day late at night. He used the Aishika Astra as a Brahmastra, but Arjuna also used a Brahmastra, and thus Bhima could arrest him. Arjuna then withdrew his Brahmastra soon after Bhima arrested Ashwathama.
The Aishika Astra could not be withdrawn by Ashwathama, but its advancing target was changed from the Pandavas to Uttara’s womb. Vyasa appeared there. Both Vyasa and Krishna agreed to change the target of the Aishika Astra. Krishna withdrew the Aishika Astra from its adverse effect on Uttara and granted sixty years of life to Parikshit. Hence later Parikshit was born; Krishna advised Yudhishthira to install Parikshit on the Hastinavati throne as emperor. Yudhishthira and the other Pandava brothers agreed to Krishna’s proposal. Thus all the weapons of Ashwathama proved futile. Vyasa accepted him as a disciple.
Why was Ashwathama still living as a Chiranjivi?
Ashwathama was cursed by Uttara Kumari never to die. He was then advised to continue his moral education in ethics under Vyasa at Badarikashrama. Hence Ashwathama continued to live. He is still living as one among the Chiranjivis.
How did Ashwathama go out of Kurukshetra?
Riding a horse, Ashwathama went toward Badarikashrama. He desired to pursue studies in Sanatana Dharma and ethics under Vyasa Rishi.
How did Vyasa tame Ashwathama to live a peaceful life?
Vyasa had written Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana. It contains the biographies of Krishna. When Ashwathama began to read it, he changed and became a good man.
Next post, Mahabharat: Vishoka Parva would be more interesting.
Mahabharat: Stri Parva would be presented separately in another article.
What are the benefits of reading this story?
On reading this story, children would gain more memory power, great moral strength in their lives in future; creating a sense of self-reliance, leading to peace and progress.
It is humbly prayed for the blessings of God Krishna upon us.
Readers may share this story with children, friends and family.
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