” It is so powerful that it can burn down the universe and bring about great devastation. It can end civilizations Ashwathamma. You are an ansh of Lord Shiva himself and I know of your temper, so you must be careful and think a hundred times before you activate this divine weapon, Brahmastra,my son”
Ashwathamma opened his eyes and looked straight into the eyes of the Pandavas. His eyes were filled with grief at the loss of his family. The warrior’s gem on his forehead shone brightly reflecting the rays of the sun and the fire within him. The memory of learning the art of activating Brahmastra from his father was vivid. His heart was filled with anger and hatred towards his enemies who killed his father by deceit. Though he avenged the death of his father by killing all of the Pandavas great warriors and children last night, the promise he made to his dying friend Duryodhan urged him to be the cause of the remaining Pandavas’ death.
On the banks of the holy river Bhagirathi, while the sun was shining brightly and radiating rays of hope, all he felt was the powerful force of revenge. He looked at Sage Vyasa, into his twinkling lotus eyes. He wanted someone to be there for him, all his family had died except for kripa and kritvarma. He was determined to use this weapon against the Pandavas even if it meant the end of the world. His eyes were red, burning tears of hatred and despair. He again closed his eyes gently, connecting to his inner self. The memories rushed into his inner vision. The 10th day of the war when his herroic father died. His attack on the Pandavas camp at night where he deceitfully killed the sons of Pandavas and all other warriors, an act that he regrets. The last breath of his friend and then the promise he made to him. His oath to be the cause of destruction of the Pandavas.
“Om Namah Shivaay” he muttered the words of lord Shiva and ferociously opened his eyes. The Pandavas and krishna were all ruthlessly looking at him, filled with grief for the loss of their young children and family. The incarnation of Lord Shiva then raised his left arm and muttered a mantra. The vibrations released caused rapid motion in the world, as black clouds engulfed the skies and stormy winds consumed the air and the water.
The most destructive weapon that could consume and cause the end of the world was summoned by Ashwathamma. He invoked the weapon. The winds blew stronger than ever and the clouds burst pouring heavy rain. The lightnings striked the Earth.
“Parth, invoke the Brahmashira without any second thought to counter this destructive weapon” commanded Krishna to Arjun, the warrior who was in possession of divine weapons because of his devoted penances and skills. Arjun immediately chanted a mantra and summoned the anti missile. The world was trembling with fear as it’s end seemed near.
” Stop both of you.” shouted Maharishi Vyasa. ” the weapons you use for satisfying your anger can cause the destruction of millions around you. It could bring about great devastation in the entire universe and that could mean the end of the world. I request, and command you to summon it back and prevent the end. Do not be the cause of the great destruction.” Commanded Vyasa. Kirshna bowed his head and smiled at the Rishi. Arjun closed his eyes and summoned the weapon back.
Dilemma consumed Ashwathamma as he was not aware of the means to retrieve the weapon back. He realized that he must not hurl it and be the cause of the great destruction. “Direct it to an unhabituated place instead Ashwathamma” stated Krishna hearing the inner voices of the Maharathi.
Regretful, tired, but still vengeful, Ashwatthama decided that if he could not end the Pandavas, he would end their lineage. He fired the weapon at pregnant Uttara’s womb. By ending the world inside Uttara, he could preserve the world outside and also stay aligned with his oath of the Pandavas destruction.
After the immoral attack , Krishna revived the stillborn son of Uttara, the last hope of the dynasty and cursed Ashwathamma. ” you have always used your strengths for the evil cause Maharathi Ashwathamma. You do not fear death, so shall I devour you of your death. I curse you to be immortal. You would pray for death to come each moment you live. Ashwathamma, you belong in the kaliyug with the dark thoughts you have and the acts you perform. You tried attacking Uttara just to satisfy your fire of revenge. You killed the warriors who died without fighting for themselves. Without a sword. You made a young ferocious warrior Abhimanyu suffer before his death by breaking all the rules of war and dharma. You have fallen to the dark age Ashwathamma. I won’t kill you but curse you with immortality. You will roam the earth, alone, regretting your actions for thousands of years. Until the end of Kaliyug, until the last avatar appears, you would suffer the last dark age. You channelized your powers, your skills, your strengths into the dark direction .You are an Ansh of Lord Shiva himself but you let your temper, anger and fire of revenge consume you. Adharmi Ashwathamma, go suffer, alone in the world of sufferings until Kalki kills the adharmi and ushers the world into Satyug. You would regret each moment you live”
Krishna then ripped off his gem, the divine mani and bestowed him with the curse of immortality. The earth trembled with the screams of Ashwathamma as blood rushed down his forehead.
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