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Ashwatthama in Javanese Wayang

A hero of the Indian epic Mahābhārata, Ashwatthama (Sanskrit: अश्वत्थामा, Aśvatthāmā) or Ashwatthaman (Sanskrit: अश्वत्थामन्, Aśvatthāman) was the son of guru Drona. He is one of the seven Chiranjivi. Dronacharya loved him very dearly. The rumours about his death in the Kurukshetra war led to the death of Drona in the hands of Prince Dhrishtadyumna. He is the grandson of the Brahmin sage Bharadwaja. Ashwatthama fought on the Kaurava side against the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war.

Drona's love for Ashwatthama[link]

Ashwatthama was the son of Dronacharya and Kripi, sister of Kripacharya. Drona loved his son very dearly. Dronacharya was very poor. Once when Ashwatthama was a child, he was very hungry. His mother did not even own a cow to give him milk. She fed him with finely cooked rice that looked like milk. On seeing this, Dronacharya was very sad. He remembered his childhood friend [Drupada]. Dronacharya went to the court of Drupada to ask for a cow. King Drupada humiliated Drona, saying that Drona was no more a friend of his as Drupada believed that friendship existed only between equals. Dronacharya returned empty-handed and humiliated. He planned to take revenge on Drupada.

After this incident, on seeing the plight of Dronacharya, Kripacharya, who was teaching the Kuru princes, offered a teacher's position to Dronacharya. Thus, Dronacharya became the guru of the Pandavas and of the Kauravas in Hastinapur. Ashwatthama also trained in the art of warfare along with the Pandavas and Kauravas in Hastinapur.

Ashwatthama's role in the Kurukshetra war[link]

Since Hastinapur, ruled by King Dhrishtrastra, offered Dronacharya the privilege of teaching the Kuru princes, both Dronacharya and Ashwatthama were loyal to Hastinapur and fought for the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war. Before Dronacharya's death, Ashwatthama visited his father in order to seek his blessing so that he could win the war for the Kauravas, but Dronacharya refused. He advised Ashwatthama to win the war using his own strength and not through a blessing from him. After the death of Dushaasan, Ashwatthama even suggested to Duryodhan to make peace with the Pandavas, keeping in mind the welfare of Hastinapur, but Duyrodhan strongly rejected his suggestion. Ashwatthama's hatred towards the Pandavas increased after Duryodhan's defeat to Bhima during the Gadayuddha.

Ashwatthama meets Duryodhana[link]

On the night after Duryodhan was mortally wounded by Bhima during the Gadayuddha, Ashwatthama, along with Kripacharya and Kritavarma visited the spot where the dying Duryodhan was lying. Ashwatthama told Duryodhan that he will never forgive the Pandavas for leading Duryodhan to this situation and also for his father's (Dronacharya) dishonourable death. He swore to kill the Pandavas by any possible means. Duryodhan made Ashwatthama the General of the Kaurava forces.

Ashwatthama's attack on Pandava camp[link]

Arastthaman propitiates Śiva before making a night attack on the Pandava camp

On the last night of the war after Duryodhan's defeat, a very disturbed and restless Ashwatthama was sitting sleepless under a large tree. An owl caught his attention. He observed that an owl was being attacked and harassed by crows in the morning. This owl attacked the same group of crows at night. This gave him an idea of attacking the Pandava camp at midnight. He gathered the only other surviving Kaurava warriors -- Kritavarma and Kripacharya and attacked the Pandava camp on the 18th night of the Kurukshetra war. He killed Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi and many other prominent warriors of Pandava army while they were sleeping. Those who tried to flee from Ashwatthama's wrath, were hacked down by Kripacharyya and Kritavarma who were positioned at the camp's entrance. He killed Draupadi's five sons, the Upa-Pandavas, while they were sleeping believing them to be the five Pandava brothers.

After destroying the entire Pandava camp, Ashwatthama carried the five heads of Draupadi's sons and proceeded towards Duryodana claiming that he had beheaded the Pandavas. Then, Duryodana told him to give the head of Bhima. Ashwatthama gave the head of Draupadi's son thinking that it to be Bhima's head. Duryodana held it in his palm and tried to crush the head into pieces. Since, the head facing Duryodana does not turn on the other side, then Duryodana declared that Ashwatthama has not killed Bhima and other Pandava brothers. This was because the magnitude of the sibling rivalry between Duryodana and Bhima is to such a height, that even after beheading Bhima, Bhima's head will never see Duryodana's face. This makes Duryodhana sad, as Draupadi's sons are the last Kuru princes to rule Hastinapura. Then Duryodhana dies. Ashwatthama, realising his mistake, went to Sage Vedavyasa's ashram in order to seek salvation (prayaschittam) for his crime.

Aswattahma believed that it was acceptable for him to attack the unexpected Pandavas due to his father’s death by unjust means. Although he did believe his vengeance to be justified, he was warned by people of his own side that it was not. Kripa even tells Aswatthama to seek the advice of Dhristarashtra and Vidura, elders of his family who are much wiser and more experienced than the young Aswatthama. “Aswatthama rejects Krpa’s reasoning: all men favour their own judgements Aswatthama, though a Brahmin, has always followed the Kshatriya Dharma."^[1] They are not too pleased with Aswattahma‘s words and advise him not to go through with this adharmic plan. “Kripa emphasises the importance of taking the advise of friends and elders, and counsels Aswatthama against pursuing his plan."^[2]

Pandavas chase for Ashwatthama[link]

Ashvatthaman losses his Shirortana

The Pandavas and Krishna who were away during night, now returned to their camp the next day morning. Incensed over this cowardly act of Ashwatthama, the Pandavas went after him to sage Vyasa's ashram. On seeing the approaching angered Pandavas, Ashwatthama who learnt that he had killed the upapandavas and not the Pandavas, realised that he was trapped with the Pandavas. As a last resort, he used his sacred knowledge of the Vedas to devise a Bramhashirastra from a blade of grass and invoked it against the Pandavas and Krishna, although he was strictly forbidden to do so by his father Dronacharya for any purpose whatsoever. On seeing the Brahmashirastra approaching the Pandavas, Krishna asked Arjuna to invoke the same. Arjuna invokes Bramhashirastra, which he received by Dronacharya itself, towards Ashwatthama.

On seeing the two powerful astras heading for a head on cataclysmic (catastrophic) collision that would result in the total annihilation of the entire Earth, sage Vyasa stopped these divine weapons from colliding with each other by using his yogic power. He asked both these warriors to withdraw their respective weapons. Arjuna was able to withdraw his Brahmashirastra, while Ashwatthama could not do so as Dronocharya did not teach his son how to withdraw it.An archer who is able to invoke and withdraw any Divyastra (Divine Weapon) can invoke it as many times as he wishes. Dronacharya taught Arjuna to withdraw Brahmashirastra but he did not do so to Ashwathama, thus limiting the power of Ashwathama to invoke Brahmashirastra for only one instance. However, Ahswathama was given the option of deviating his weapon towards one single isolated object in a place that was not inhabited by any form of life, so that the Brahmashirastra does not harm anyone on Earth. But Ashwatthama, out of spite, directed the weapon towards the womb of Uttara (wife of Abhimanyu) who was carrying Abhimanyu's son (Parikshit) in an attempt to end the lineage of the Pandavas. Krishna used his sudarshan chakra to stop the Brahmashirastra and save Uttara's unborn child.

Krishna's curse on Ashwatthama[link]

Bhishma strove hard throughout his life to protect Hastinapur in his quest of finding the legal heir of Sathyavati's clan. Bhishma entrusted on Krishna this responsibility of finding the next heir of Sathyavati's family and to continue the lineage of the Pandavas. Although, after Duryodhana's defeat it appeared that Hastinapur was now safe, as it was clear that Yudhishthira was the next king of Hastinapur, Ashwatthama's action brought an end to the Pandava line.

Lord Krishna then placed a curse on Ashwatthama that "he will carry the burden of all people's sins on his shoulders and will roam alone like a ghost without getting any love and courtesy till the end of Kaliyuga;^[3] He will have neither any hospitality nor any accommodation; He will be in total isolation from mankind and society; His body will suffer from a host of incurable diseases forming sores and ulcers that would never heal". Ashwatthama had a gem which was similar to Shamantakamani on his forehead which used to protect the wearer from fear of any snakes, ghosts, demigods and demons. So, Ashwatthama was asked to surrender this gem. Lord Sri Krishna further states that "the wound caused by the removal of this gem on his forehead will never heal and will suffer from leprosy, till the end of Kaliyuga". It is believed that in Kaliyuga, his name will be "Suryakant". Thus, Ashwatthama will be in search of death every moment, and yet he will never die. At the end of Kali Yuga, Ashwatthama is to meet Sri Kalki, the tenth and final avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Krishna revives Abhimanyu's son[link]

Uttara delivered a child which was dead. All the women approached lord Krishna to bring the baby back to life who was the only successor of the Pandava dynasty. Krishna poured a few drops of water on his hands and said, "If I have truly followed Dharma throughout my life, then let this child come back to life". He sprinkled the water on the child and touched him on his chest, reviving Abhimanyu's son. Later, Abhimanyu's son becomes an ardent devotee of lord Krishna and was named Parikshit (the one who has been tested, when he was in his mother's womb; Lord Krishna rescued him in the womb). The Pandavas ruled for 36 years. After the end of Pandavas, Parikshit ruled Hastinapur for 27 years and was succeeded by Janamejaya.

Ashwatthama and Brahmastra[link]

Ashwatthama seeks the knowledge of Brahmastra from his father Dronacharya.

The partial knowledge of Abhimanyu and Ashwatthama[link]

Abhimanyu is often quoted as an example for his partial knowledge about Chakravyha. Abhimanyu knew how to penetrate the Chakravyha, but did not know how to exit from it during the time of danger contributed to his death. Similarly, Ashwatthama had a partial knowledge in the context of Brahmastra. He only knew how to invoke it. But did not know how to withdraw it. It was only Arjuna who had complete knowledge of both Padmavyooha (to break and exit from it) and Brahmastra (to invoke and withdraw it).

In case of Ashwatthama, Dronacharya teaches Ashwatthama only to invoke Brahmastra, but does not teach him how to withdraw it. If an archer is aware of both the invocation and withdrawal of any Celestial weapon (Dev-astra), then he can invoke it as many times as he wants. Hence, to avoid Ashwatthama from invoking Brahmastra multiple times, Dronacharya only gives a partial knowledge about it.^{[citation needed]}If an archer invokes Brahmastra, it not only destroys the target, but also leads to a famine for 12 years in the region. If a Brahmastra is invoked twice, then it can even lead to draining the entire ocean on Earth.

References[link]

External links[link]

Original text online (Sanskrit)

• etext (metrical), entered by Muneo Tokunaga
• GRETIL etext (Muneo Tokunaga)
• Mahābhārata online

v t e Mahabharata Kuru Kingdom Shantanu · Ganga · Bhishma · Satyavati · Chitrāngada · Vichitravirya · Ambika · Ambalika · Vidura · Dhritarashtra · Gandhari · Shakuni · Pandu · Kunti · Madri · Yudhisthira · Bhima · Arjuna · Nakula · Sahadeva · Duryodhana · Dushasana · Yuyutsu · Dushala · Draupadi · Hidimbi · Ghatotkacha · Ahilawati · Subhadra · Uttara · Ulupi · Chitrāngadā  · Abhimanyu  · Iravan · Babruvahana · Barbarika · Parikshit  · Janamejaya Other characters Karna · Drona · Amba · Vyasa · Krishna · Satyaki · Dhristadyumna · Sanjaya · Virata · Kichaka · Kripa · Ashwatthama · Ekalavya · Kritavarma · Jarasandha · Mayasura · Durvasa · Jayadratha · Balarama · Drupada · Hidimba · Shalya · Adhiratha · Shikhandi Other Mahābhārata and the Indian caste system · Avatars · Pandava · Kaurava · Hastinapur · Indraprastha · Kingdoms · Kurukshetra War · Bhagavad Gita

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Ayushmann Khurrana
Born	(1984-09-14) September 14, 1984 (age 27) Chandigarh, Punjab, India
Occupation	Television Anchor, Actor,Singer, Video Jockey, Previously Radio Jockey, Reality Show Contestant
Years active	2002–2007 (theatre) 2007–2008 (radio) 2008 – present (Television Presenter) 2012 – Present (Actor)
Spouse	Tahira Kashyap
Parents	P. Khurrana, Mrs. Poonam Khurrana
Relatives	Aparshakti Khurrana (brother)

Ayushmann Khurrana is an Indian Television anchor and Actor. He has been a well-known TV presenter on Indian Television and has recently entered Indian Film Industry with the popular film Vicky Donor.

Early life and education[link]

Ayushmann Khurrana is a native of Chandigarh. He studied at St. John’s High School and DAV College in Chandigarh. He majored in English Literature and has done Masters in Mass Communication from School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He has been active in theatre for 5 years. He was the founder member of DAV College ’s Aaghaaz and Manchtantra , which are active theatre groups in Chandigarh. He has conceptualized and enacted in street plays and won prizes in national fests like- Mood Indigo (IIT Mumbai),Oasis(BITS Pilani) and St. Bedes Simla. He also won a Best Actor award for playing Ashwatthama in Dharamvir Bharati’s Andha Yug.

Career and Later Life[link]

Ayushmann Khurrana started his career when he turned out to be the winner in MTV Roadies Season 2.^[1] After finishing studies, his first job was a Radio Jockey at BIG FM, Delhi. He hosted the show Big Chai - Maan Na Maan, Main Tera Ayushmann and also won the Young Achievers Award in 2007 for it.^[2] After radio, Ayushmann moved on to become a Video Jockey on MTV with Pepsi MTV Wassup, The Voice of Youngistaan, an informative show for the youth.

He also worked in many other MTV shows as well like MTV Fully Faltoo Movies "Cheque De India" and "Jaadoo Ek Baar".^[3] He then turned as Television Anchor with a multiple-talent based reality show India's Got Talent on Colors TV which he co-anchored with Nikhil Chinapa ^[4] and Stripped which gave latest updates on the Indian TV industry with comic tinge, again on MTV. At the end of the year he was also the anchor of a singing reality show Music Ka Maha Muqqabla on STAR Plus.^[5]

Apart from hosting the second seasons of MTV Rock On on MTV and India's Got Talent on Colors, Ayushmann was also a part of the anchoring team of Extra Innings T20 for Indian Premier League Season 3 on SET Max with Gaurav Kapur, Samir Kochhar and Angad Bedi.^[6][7] Instead of hosting the 3rd season of India's Got Talent, Ayushmann took up the offer of anchoring the dance-based reality show Just Dance on STAR Plus^[8] judged by Hrithik Roshan, Vaibhavi Merchant and Farah Khan.

In 2011, he signed his first major Bollywood venture and began filming. The film was titled Vicky Donor^[9] and directed by Shoojit Sircar. This movie also marks actor John Abraham's debut as a producer.^[10] Vicky Donor released worldwide on 20 April 2012, and was a critical and commercial success.^[11].

Ayushmann also sang a song named Pani Da Rang in the film. In May 2012, it was announced that along with the crew of Vicky Donor, Ayushmann had signed his second Bollywood production as an actor in the film Hamaara Bajaj which is expected to go on floors in 2013.

Personal Life[link]

Ayushmann originally hails from Chandigarh and his family is still based there. His father Mr. P Khurrana, is a renowned astrolger and an author on the subject of astrology, while his mother Poonam is a house wife and a qualified M.A. in Hindi. His brother Aparshaktii is a Radio Jockey at BIG FM Delhi. The ambiance of literature at home influenced Ayushmnann as well and he took to writing as a hobby. He also maintains a blog where he writes in Hindi and it has been received very well by his admirers. He is married to his childhood sweetheart Tahira.

Career Chronology[link]

Television Shows Chronology[link]

Events Hosted[link]

Filmography[link]

Awards[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Ayushmann Khurrana at the Internet Movie Database
• Ayushmann Khurrana on Twitter
• Blog

See also[link]

• Vicky Donor
• Just Dance
• India's Got Talent
• MTV
• List of MTV VJs
• List of reality television show franchises