Revisiting the glory of Ashwathama in 'Kalki 2898 AD'

The audience was exhilarated to meet Ashwathama!

Source- The Hindu

“Kalki 2898 AD” has stepped into its second week of box-office collection and is still undefeated. The movie intertwines scientific fiction with mythology and drags us back in history.

‘Kalki’ turns the audience inquisitive about ‘The Mahabharata’

While specific plot details may vary, the film is likely to incorporate themes, characters, or moral dilemmas reminiscent of those found in the Mahabharata, such as the struggle between good and evil, complex human relationships, and the pursuit of justice.

The Mahabharata is one of the major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. Attributed to the sage Vyasa, it is a narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and Pandava princes.

The epic

We see various stories and philosophies, including the Bhagavad Gita, which is a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, who serves as his charioteer.

In the epic, we get introduced to many characters resembling today’s generation’s mindset.

Source- Yuva Aware

We become conscious about Arjun, Karna, Draupadi, Bibhishan and others, one of them being Ashwathama.

The Mahabharata is not just a simple story but a complex text that covers a vast array of topics such as duty, righteousness, and the nature of reality.

Ashwathama (an avatar of Kaal, Krodh, Yam and Shiva)

Ashwathama, the son of Dronacharya has always been an important character in the Mahabharata.

Source- Bhaskar

He was one of the seven immortals, believed to be still alive.

The belief that Ashwathama is still alive is rooted in mythology and tradition rather than historical evidence. After the Kurukshetra War, Ashwathama, seeking revenge for the death of his father, unleashes the powerful weapon, Narayanastra, and later, the Brahmashirsha astra. This act results in a curse from Lord Krishna, condemning him to wander the earth for 3,000 years, suffering from incurable wounds and isolation.

Kaliyuga inhabitants had claimed to have spotted Ashwathama

Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192 noticed an old man with a horrible scar on his head. He persistently tried to cure him but failed. On account of that, he confronted the old man to disclose his identity. There he witnessed Ashwathama for the last time.

Source- Pinterest

A doctor revealed an incident from the past when he was confronted by an old man in a hospital. He said the man came to the hospital to get treatment. When the doctor jokingly pointed out his resemblance with Ashwathama, the old man left and was never seen. Later he described the wound saying “his brains were pulled out from the front of his head”.

Is Ashwathama still alive?

A few people/saints doing Narmada river parikrama have seen him or met him in Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife sanctuary which is spread across MP and Gujarat. He had helped them or saved some of their lives.