WISH YOU WELL ACHARYA PUTRA ASHWATTHAMA!

Use of Brahmastra (Brahmashira or Brahmashirsha) by Ashwatthama against Arjuna 

Wish you well Acharya Putra Ashwatthama! It was said by way of Arjuna earlier than the usage of his Brahmastra weapon towards Ashwatthama's. Of course, we know how then Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa asked both of them to return these detrimental weapons back. I do not want to elaborate on it again. Here I would like to point out the courteousness of the Arjuna via this incident that we are not absolutely aware of. We ought to understand what precisely occurred at that time.

Bhima moved quickly closer to the route of Ashwatthama at the side of Nakula(as his charioteer) with the intention to kill him. (Ashwatthama had killed all of the sons of Pandavas and Draupadi or Upapandavas known as Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Shrutakarma, Shatanika and Shrutasena, Dhrishtadyumna; son of Drona and remaining armies of Panchala Kingdom including Sikhandi within the night time most effective without Pandavas' cognizance and went towards Bhagirathi riverside). As per the instructions of Lord Krishna, Yudhishthira alongside Arjuna followed Bhima on his chariot to protect from the ruthless Ashwatthama. They couldn't forestall Bhima after meeting with him on the way. All of them noticed Ashwatthama sitting along with many sages together with Vyasa near the wonderful Ganga there. Enraged Bhima rushed in the direction of Ashwatthama whilst taking his Dhanush in his hand. Seeing Bhima coming near there to attack him, Ashwatthama became terrified.

Ashwatthama straight away recalled the Brahmashirsha weapon. (Ashwatthama's father Drona had earlier given him the weapon as in line with his request). Even as the use of the weapon he mercilessly pronounced 'may this weapon destroy all of the Pandavas!'. As a result, it blazed up terrible flames of fire. It appeared as if the complete universe was about to be destroyed. At that point, Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to use the equal weapon that was taught to him by way of his guru Dronacharya towards Ashwatthama's. Arjuna then remembered the Brahmastra weapon and whilst using it towards Ashwatthama to pacify his weapon announced there, 'wish you well Acharya Putra Ashwatthama and wanted the welfare of all his brothers. numerous thunders had been heard, meteors fell down and all the  creatures became terrified with notable dread. The complete sky seemed to be filled with horrible noise and  flames of fire. The entire earth in conjunction with the mountains, river, and timber trembled.

At that point, Narada and Vyasa each appeared in front of them. Neither deities nor demons ever disobeyed each of them. The sages questioned Ashwatthama and Arjuna that why did they take such a dare which had in no way been taken earlier by way of any warriors even though they knew using such damaging divine weapons. Arjuna right away took his weapon back even as pronouncing that he only did it to calm Ashwatthama's weapon and to keep his brothers away from notable threat. It was no longer feasible even for deity king Indra to bring back that weapon. Arjuna had earlier received that weapon after practicing celibacy and retaining Vrat in a proper way for which he was able to do it. The Brahmastra weapon was recognized to cut off the heads of all of the loved ones of that person who would have attempted to take it back after its use. Ashwatthama tried with his complete efforts however could not do it from his aspect. He regretted his mistake. He mentioned to the sages that, "Sages! Out of fear from Bhimasena, I used the weapon with the goal to guard myself. Bhima has accomplished an unrighteous act by way of killing Duryodhana with a trick. Though I am no longer a Jitendriya (person who conquered over all his senses and ardor), I still used the weapon. Now I do not have enough energy to take it back. Out of anger, I did sin through the use of it towards the Pandavas to spoil them."

Then Vyasa defined to him that, "Ashwatthama! despite the fact that Arjuna knows the use of Brahmastra, he in no way used it in opposition to you out of rage. He obeyed the recommendation of his guru Dronacharya. He could have absolutely damaged your weapon with his but he's privy to the fact that destroying One Brahmastra with another will cause drought in that country for twelve years. You ought to defend those religious Pandavas, yourself, and your country and return back your weapon right now. You have to calm down on Pandavas. Yudhishthira can in no way overcome anyone with dishonesty."

Ashwatthama then failed to do so. Therefore he surrendered his own precious gem that was there on his forehead (Ashwatthama became born with the gem on his forehead) to the Pandavas for sparing his life. Due to the fact his divine weapon was intended to spoil Pandavas and he was unable to return it back, he then changed it is the route to the womb of Pandavas. Lord Krishna gladly informed to Ashwatthama that, "Earlier when Uttara Kumari; daughter of Virata King and the daughter-in-law of Arjuna was staying in Upaplavya Nagar, a spiritual Brahmin once blessed her that, "Daughter! on the Parikshin or end of whole Kaurava dynasty, you'll deliver birth to a son who will be named Parikshit accordingly. "

Petrified Ashwatthama declared that Lord Krishna's favoritism assertion for Pandavas could by no means come real considering the truth that the use of Brahmastra would in no way be useless. Lord Krishna than confirmed that the weapon would no doubt have an impact on the womb of Uttara and she will give birth to a lifeless child but not only that child would be saved through the grace of Lord Krishna only but also he would be Longlived, religious and would learn Astra vidya from Kripacharya. Then he cursed Ashwatthama to roam across the earth for three thousand years with distress and loneliness, he would have blood and puss oozing out the smell from his body, he would have many illnesses and would look for remote locations to live in constantly.

Vyasa then advised Ashwatthama that, "Oh son of Drona! you have humiliated us via your act. No matter being a Brahmin, you have acted like a Kshatriya. Consequently, the statements of Lord Krishna will surely come real."

Ashwatthama then instructed him that he alongside Vyasa would remain within the human world and Lord's assertion will come true. Then lamentably he went into the dense woodland. Pandavas took that gem to depressed Draupadi seeing that she had wished for it after the death of her sons. Bhima confirmed the devastating state of Ashwatthama to Draupadi and furthermore cited to her that while keeping in their mind that Ashwatthama was the son in their Guru, they left him alive. Draupadi then offered the gem to Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira accepted it as the blessings of his Guru and wore it in his crown. Lord Krishna saved the kid Parikshit, Later Parikshit became a spiritual king of the Kuru kingdom.

(Dronacharya had earlier received the Brahmashira weapon from Sage Agastya and gave it to his favourite disciple Arjuna. Later as in keeping with the request of Ashwatthama, Drona instructed the weapon to him too. But Drona was no longer satisfied to do it considering the fact that he was privy to his son's fickleness and at the same time as keeping in mind the adverse impact of the weapon, moreover requested him not to use it in any situation.)

Ref: Mahabharata book

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