Conqueror of Kali Purusha: King Parikshit (S1 and S2)

EP 2: Sri Krishna curses Ashwattama

Sri Krishna's rage was fuming like the fire. Immediately Ashwattama begged for mercy from Sri Krishna and Veda Vyasa. Veda Vyasa ordered Ashwattama to remove the gem on his forehead.

Ashwattama was born with this gem to Dronacharya and Kripi. This jewel provided him superiority to other beings and provided him immense strength. It can make him live powerfully even without eating and drinking.

Ashwattama immediately in fear, took a knife, and plucked off the gem from his head. He fell at the feet of Sri Krishna, the God of Gods. Arjuna caught him, shaved his head, and tied him up with ropes. Arjuna was reluctant to kill him. Arjuna already spared Ashwattama in the war. He never wished to kill Dronacharya and his son Ashwattama. Arjuna was capable of killing Bhishma and Dronacharya, but he was deeply attached to them.

Ashwattama was taken to the weeping Draupadi. She was lamenting by sitting near her sons corpses. Seeing Ashwattama prisoned, she rose up. She said, "Arya, release him. He is the son of your Guru Dronacharya. He deserves our respect being Guru Putra and Brahmana. Though my motherly heart does not forgive him, as the empress who is the wife of Dharmaraja, I forgive him."

Seeing Draupadi's humbleness, Yuddhistira and Sri Krishna felt proud. Yuddhishtir touched her head with love and agreed to her by nodding. Yagnesani already forgave Jayadratha when he kidnapped her in the exile period. [Draupadi was the most humble character of Mahabharata, no matter what people whitewash her character by representing false stories especially the famous dialogue "Blind man's son Blind"]

Sri Krishna said, "Ashwattama, you have done the greatest crime. You deserve to be punished. You decided to kill a person who was not even born. How dare you make this heinous crime? Henceforth, as a punishment, I, Vasudeva Krishna, son of Devaki and Vasudeva, curse you to live for 3000 years with all kinds of body ailments and solely. No one will dare to come near you. You will always live in hiding spots for 3000 years suffering from deadly diseases.

Suddenly there came a scream from the tent of Uttara, the princess of the Matsya Kingdom and wife of Abhimanyu. She was shouting in immense pain.

The Brahmashirastra entered the womb and killed the fetus giving extensive pain to Uttara bothy physically and mentally. Pandavas, Sri Krishna and Draupadi hastened to the tent. Nakula and Sahadeva examined Uttara. Sahadev said, "The Brahmashirastra had hit the womb of Uttara in which the heir of Arjuna was growing. There is no more heir for us, brother." Saying so, tears flowed from the eyes of Sahadeva.

Uttara said, " O Lord of lords, Lord of the universe! You are the greatest of mystics. Please protect me, for there is no one else who can save me from the clutches of death in this world of duality. Let the weapon kill me if you wish so, but protect my fetus growing in my womb."

(Srimad Bhagavatham- 1.9.8)

Kunti said with joined palms said, "Oh Sri Krishna, I offer my obeisances unto you. You are the one who is eternal and omnipresent. You are both everything and nothing. You are the one who created this Universe and took birth on Earth for your devotees. You are Devaki's son who gave liberation to mighty demons and Unrighteous kings. Oh Lord, the eternal consort of Devi Radha, your source of Shakti is from your dear Rukmini. You are birthless and deathless. You are the Supreme Truth of the Universe. You have protected my family from the poisonous kheer, the great fire and cruel and unrighteous. Oh Madhusudhana, protect our dear Uttara for the sake of Dharma and welfare of us and our kingdom."

(Srimad Bhagavatham: Canto 1 Chapter 9)

Hearing the prayers of Devi Kunti, Sri Krishna was pleased. He smiled, proceeded towards Uttara, and kept his hand on the womb.

(Published on 18th June 2020, Thursday)

TO BE CONTINUED.......

NEXT EPISODE: Birth of Suka deva

(Image credits: Google and Star plus Mahabharata)