Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Ashwathamaacharya Brutal Massacre

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om ||

Om Krishnaya Namah

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकीनन्दनाय च ।

नन्दगोपकुमाराय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥

Sri Krishna! Being a hope to the imprisoned Devaki & Vasudeva caused happiness by mesmerizing Nandagopa, Gopikas and even the Goddess of abundant beauty. Vasudeva! creation, sustenance, destruction and so on is a sports charm of you. Govinda! you are the cause & protector of Vedas.

Krishna, Vasudeva, Devaki Nandana, Nanda Gopa Kumara, Govinda, 
My repeated salutations to you.

नमः पङ्कजनाभाय नमः पङ्कजमालिने ।

नमः पङ्कजनेत्राय नमस्ते पङ्कजाङ्घ्रये ॥

My salutations to the Lotus of the navel. My salutations to the Lotus garlanded.

My salutations to Lotus petal eye. My salutations to the Lotus feet.

व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।

हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥

Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.

यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।

संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥

This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.

यद्भनौ यत्क्र्शानौ यदमृतकिरणे यद् ग्रहेषू दितेषु

ज्योतिर्यत्तारकासु प्रथितमणिषु यद्यच्च सौदामिनिषु ।

सम्भूयौतत् समस्तं त्वदमितह्रदयाकाशनिर्यत्प्रकाशे

धीर श्रीराघवेन्द्रव्रतिवरभजते हन्त खद्योतरीतिम् ॥

The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.

Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghvendra, भजते, I worship you by surrendering myself.

Sri Suthacharya continuing the narration of unfortunate massacre by Ashwathama at the Yudhisthira camp by flouting all rules & regulations of war says, 

माता शिशूनां निधनं सुतानां निशम्य घोरं परितप्यमाना ।

तदारुदद्बाष्पकलाकुलाक्षीतां सान्त्वयन्नाह किरीटमाली ॥ १५॥

तदा शुचस्ते प्रमृजामि भद्रे यद्ब्रह्मबन्धोः शिर आततायिनः ।

गाण्डीवमुक्तैर्विशिखैरुपाहरेत्वाक्रम्य यत्स्नास्यसि दग्धपुत्रा ॥ १६॥

With the heinous death of her five children, mother Draupadi started crying. She was immersed in the grief & sorrow struggling to deal with the incidence.

“Gracious & Kind hearted one! That slaughterer is a आततायी or AtatAyee, a mean Brahmin. With this bow named Gandiva and the arrows, I shall cut his head and place it at your feet. After completing the death ceremony of your children, you shall kick that head to avenge their death and take the bath of purification.

"Only then shall I come to wipe your tears,” said Arjuna, burning with fury. 

For those who light a fire to the dwellings or keep carrying tales of others, one who does spiritual acts only to show off, one who steals other's money or others wife is calledआततायी or AtatAyee.  

इति प्रियां वल्गुविचित्रजल्पैः स सान्त्वयित्वाच्युतमित्रसूतः ।

अन्वाद्रवद्दंशित उग्रधन्वा कपिध्वजो गुरुपुत्रं रथेन ॥ १७॥

तमापतन्तं स विलक्ष्य दूरात्कुमारहोद्विग्नमना रथेन ।

पराद्रवत्प्राणपरीप्सुरुर्व्यां यावद्गमं रुद्रभयाद्यथार्कः ॥ १८॥

Saying so, Arjuna wore his armor having small arms, tied the back harness quiver filled with arrows and held the formidable Gandiva that terrified the enemy. Having the most favorite friend, Sri Krishna as charioteer climbed the chariot and chased the Son of his teacher, Dronacharya.

The killer of the children, Ashwathama seeing Arjuna chasing him from distance got scared. He started running as far as possible to save his life like God Sun was scared and started running when God Shiva chased him holding his weapon Trishul.

Here, Lord Veda Vyasa composing Srimad Bhagavatam reminds us of that incidence when the evil asura, Vidyunmali receives a gift of a Golden Airplane having a brightness as that of Sun after doing severe austerity. He would fly this Golden airplane in the opposite angle of the Sun to illuminate the nights. This removed the darkness of the night. Hence, God Sun was furious and burnt down the Golden airplane killing the evil Vidyunmali. The powerful God Rudra, the Lord of Vidyunmali got angry against God Sun and held his frightful weapon Trishul. With Trishul, God Rudra could destroy the entire universe including the twelve Gods of Sun as he does during Pralaya or dissolution of the universe. God Sun being scared of his life kept running till he got exhausted and fell in Kashi or present-day Varanasi or also called as Banaras seeking his refuge. Kashi is the Land of God Siva where he worships the Lord of the form of Bindu Madhava and initiates Rama mantra to all the departing souls from their body. Due to the impact of God Sun, the place became a pond, filled with water and is a place of pilgrimage. It is famously called as Lolark Kund and is located close to Tulsi Ghat where people take a dip to redeem sins causing skin disease or depriving birth of a child even to date.

यदाशरणमात्मानमैक्षत श्रान्तवाजिनम् ।

अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो मेने आत्मत्राणं द्विजात्मजः ॥ १९॥

अथोपस्पृश्य सलिलं सन्दधे तत्समाहितः ।

अजानन्नुपसंहारं प्राणकृच्छ्र उपस्थिते ॥ २०॥

While being chased, Ashwathama’s horses became tired and could not maintain the pace. Seeing the gap between their chariots closing-up, Ashwathama became desperate having no other “Strategy of Rescue”. Hence, he decided to use the utmost weapon on the escalation ladder. He decided to execute “The Brahmashirsha Astra”. 

As he decided to use Brahmashirsha Astra, he noticed that he had lost the ability to a callback. However, being desperate to save himself from death at the hands of Arjuna, he locked himself without an exit strategy. He started with the act of purification. Completed Achamana. Entered the phase of Dhyana or meditation to gather all senses to focus. Doing so, he repeated the mantra and executed Brahmashirsha Astra.          

Ashwathama was seeing such repeated dreams of killing the children of Draupadi when they were fast asleep including helpless Duryodhana struggling for life. However, Mahabarata describes the actual happenings during the war for justice by Pandavas. Being the best of all beings and upholder of dharma, Bheemasena swinging his mace had hit Duryodhana in a measure only to hurt him and not to kill. Duryodhana taking the blows was profusely bleeding and fallen on ground smeared with mud and was unmoveable. Seeing his fate, the ghosts & goblins entering the dogs & wolves came to eat the flesh of helpless Duryodhana.      

The only few survivors on Kaurava’s side were Ashwathama, Kritavarma, and Kripacharya. They came searching Duryodhana. They had seen Duryodhana as Crown Prince of Hastinapura under the white umbrella and fanned by Chamara. However, they were shocked to see Duryodhana fallen on the ground helpless. Ashwathamacharya gets angry, accuses Pandavas under the evil influence of Kali and asks, what he could do to Duryodhana? Could he satisfy his wish?     

Though helpless & struggling, Duryodhana says to Ashwathamacharya that he wants to see the end of Pandavas and seeks each and every life of Pandavas. Also, by pouring a fist of dust on Ashwathamacharya, he does Pattabhiseka or coronation to the post of Chief Commander. Not stopping at that, the evil Duryodhana commands Ashwathama to have a child from his wife to be the successors of the Crown. Ashwathamacharya accepts this and gives his word of assurance. Ashwathamacharya was indebted to Duryodhana as he lived under his kingship. Hence, the evil kali and his associates had made a house in Ashwathamacharya.

Ashwathama, Kritavarma, and Kripacharya attack the camp of Pandavas. Ashwathama kicks and awakens Dhrishtdyumana. Though Dhrishtdyumana pleads Ashwathama to give him time just to pick-up a weapon so that he could have valorous death while fighting, Ashwathama denies. With the string of his bow, Ashwathama tightens the neck and chokes Dhrishtdyumana to death.  Also, he kills Shikhandi and other children of Drupada. Burning with rage, Ashwathama proceeds to kill Pandavas. Meanwhile, the children of Pandavas stop him with their bow and arrows. The unstoppable Ashwatama pulls out his sword and kills the children of Pandavas dismembering their head. Continuing his massacre, he kills several people on the Pandavas side. Not stopping there, he lights fire to the camp to kill the women, children, support personnel and animals. Subsequently, carrying the five heads of the past children of Draupadi, he goes to see Duryodhana. Seeing the chopped heads, Duryodhana feels happy. 

Meanwhile, the Pandavas get to know the happenings. Bheemasena, in his chariot, follows Ashwathama. Hearing the voice of the Chariot nearing, Ashwathama becomes scared and flees in his own chariot. However, Bheemasena over speeds Ashwathama and engages him in a war. Bheemasena disarms Ashwathama stripping him of all defense. Hence, Ashwathama decides to use Brahmashirsha Astra. At the same time, Sri Krishna and Arjuna arrive there. Seeing Brahmashirsha Astra arriving towards them, Lord Sri Krishna asks Arjuna to neutralize by countering with another Brahmashirsha Astra.

However, if these two missiles collide with each other, then the whole life including the universe would get destroyed. Hence, the all-knowing, all-powerful Lord Veda Vyasa reaches there to stand in between the missiles stopping the collision. Lord Veda Vyasa calms them saying that so many people having the knowledge and power to execute Brahmashirsha Astra have come and gone. But they have not misused it causing inauspiciousness and destruction of the universe. Looking at Ashwathama and Arjuna, the Lord instructs to call back those missiles.

“My Lord, I executed the Brahmashirsha Astra hopping to only neutralize the attacking one. Please pardon me”, pleads Arjuna.

“Lord, I had no other choice for my self-protection. Bheemasena had stripped all my arms. Please pardon me”, says Ahwathama. 

Lord Veda Vyasa instructs both of them to callback the missiles and stops the destruction of the universe. Arjuna does so by uttering the mantra of a callback. The missile returns. However, when Ashwathama repeats the mantra, the missile does not return. He repeats in frustration but fails. Though, Ashwathamacharya had the knowledge of the process to callback but finds himself lost the ability to implement. He had lost the Psychic Power as he had broken the celibacy.

Remember, Ashwathama had given a word of assurance to Duryodhana’s a request of having a child in his wife to ascend the Crown of Hastinapura. Though, there was a system of Niyoga or bearing the child through the third person at that time, but had rules & regulations to have adhered. 
Of course, go without saying that such systems are not in vogue at present times and is forbidden. 
Duryodhana’s suggestion was not in line with the rules & regulations of that time. Hence, was illegal. While Ashwathamacharya had no physical contact with Duryodhana’s wife, in the Tattva or Science of behavior & mind, just the Sankalpa or the resolution in mind has high potential and is a larger fraction of completion in the resultant physical implementation.    

Having lost to Bheemasena and unable to callback the Brahmashirsha Astra he had executed, Lord Veda Vyasa asks Ashwathama to give the Shiromani or a bead that was embedded in his head to Bheemasena. Ashwathama was born with a divine bead in his head making him thirstless, hungerless and even deathless. Also, the divine bead would emit fragrance making his vicinity delightful. Ashwathama does so.

Also, Lord Veda Vyasa asks Ashwathama to at least recall the Brahmashirsha Astra through words, though unable to do so physically. However, Ashwathama limits only to the five Pandavas. Giving no absolution to their children including Abimanyu, his wife Uttaradevi, and Parakshid growing in Uttaradevi’s womb. With that, Lord Veda Vyasa instructs Arjuna to call back the missile executed by Ashwathama. As through words, Ashwathama has not called back the missile targetting the offsprings of Pandavas, it continues its aggression on Uttaradevi and to be Parakshid in her womb.  

Lord in the form of Sri Krishna intervenes to tell Ashwathama to callback the missile through a statement as the baby is still in the womb.

Krishna! I will not do so. I shall not call back even as a statement. You are showing bias towards your sister Subhadra’s and her grandchild, says Ashwathama.

If you are so keen to use the missile on Pandavas, direct it towards the dead body of Abimanyu. Not to the womb of Uttaradevi, says Sri Krishna.

Ashwathama’s gets further angered. Remember the indebtedness or the effect of food that he had eaten of Duryodhana. He says,

I shall direct only towards Uttara to ensure the end of the Pandava dynasty.

The all-powerful, Lord Sri Krishna appearing angry says,

Mean minded Ashwathama! I know the word you have given to Duryodhana. You want to cease the Pandu Dynasty and further that of Dhritarashtra. Do what you can! Use all the power at your hand. But I shall make sure that the Pandu dynasty will continue for another thousand years. You have sinned by killing helpless men without arms, women & children including animals. You will fail in your attempt to kill Uttaradevi and also the baby growing in her womb.

No power on this earth can match that of mine. Nor anyone can stop the Pandava dynasty continuing for another 1000 years on this earth. Your body will be full of soars, bleeding & stinking to irritate people. You are banished from the place of human dwellings. Go and live in the forest. Says Lord Sri Krishna.

Lord present in another form of Veda Vyasa also consents the word of Sri Krishna.

Suddenly, Ashwathamacharya realizes Sri Krishna as Lord. Acknowledging his Lordship pleads his form of Veda Vyasa not to deny him his sight and moves into the forest. But continues to serve the Lord in his form of Veda Vyasa full or remorse. Thus redeems Sins to be re-born as Veda Vyasa in next Dwapara Yuga to carry out the splitting or classification of Vedas.

This is the incidence recorded in Mahabarata and its subsequent interpretations by Srimad Acharya. However, Srimad Bhagavatam is narrating the dream of Ashwathamacharya before the incidence happened. Let’s look forward to the rest portion of the dream of Ashwathama as we continue with this series of Srimad Bhagavatam through the blessings of Hari, Vayu, and Gurus. 

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||