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This is the story of Ashwatthama's ambitious attempt to claim Krishna's Sudarshana Chakra and the lesson in humility he learned.
Characters in the story:
Lord Krishna: Lord Krishna is one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism. He is worshiped as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and is known for his divine teachings in the Bhagavad Gita and for his role in the epic Mahabharata.
Ashwatthama: Ashwatthama, also referred to as Drauni, was a warrior in Mahabharata. He is the son of Drona, and Kripi. He served as a friend to Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas.
Pandavas and Kauravas: Pandavas and Kauravas are two sets of cousins in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Pandavas are five brothers who are virtuous and righteous, while the Kauravas are one hundred brothers who are portrayed as power-hungry and deceitful.
After the Kauravas were defeated in the Kurukshetra War, Ashwatthama, consumed by a mad desire for vengeance, launched a brutal nighttime attack on the Panchala camp. In his fury, he mercilessly slaughtered many of the surviving warriors, including the brothers and the five sons of Draupadi. Upon hearing of this cowardly act, Bhima set out to confront and punish Ashwatthama. Krishna, sensing the urgency of the situation, urged Yudhishthira and the Pandavas to join Bhima quickly. To highlight the imminent danger posed by Ashwatthama, Krishna narrated an incident that underscored the gravity of the threat.
When Drona taught Arjuna the supreme Brahmashira weapon, Ashwatthama, driven by ambition, demanded the same knowledge. Despite his reservations, Drona reluctantly agreed, as he could not refuse his only son. However, he issued a stern warning: Ashwatthama was never to use the weapon in battle, especially not against humans. Drona, aware of his son’s fiery temperament, feared he might stray from the path of Dharma.
During the Pandavas’ exile, Ashwatthama spent some time in Dwaraka. One day, he approached Krishna and revealed that he had mastered the Brahmashira weapon, a technique passed down to his father by Sage Agastya. Ashwatthama proposed a trade: he would teach Krishna the Brahmashira in exchange for Krishna’s Sudarshana Chakra.
Krishna, with a calm smile, gestured towards his bow, mace, and the Sudarshana Chakra. He told Ashwatthama to choose whichever weapon he desired—no exchange required. Overwhelmed by the opportunity, Ashwatthama eagerly reached for the Sudarshana Chakra. He tried lifting it with his left hand, but it wouldn’t budge. He then used his right hand, with no better result. Using all his strength, he strained and struggled, but the divine disc remained immovable. Exhausted, Ashwatthama eventually collapsed, unconscious.
When he regained his senses, Krishna asked him why he sought the Sudarshana Chakra. “Arjuna, my dearest friend, has never asked for it. My son Pradyumna, a great warrior, has never desired it. Even Balarama, Gada, or Samba have never sought to possess it. Why did you?”
Ashwatthama confessed that he intended to challenge Krishna himself after acquiring the Sudarshana Chakra. He believed that possessing the divine weapon would make him invincible.
Narrating this story, Krishna cautioned Yudhishthira and Arjuna about the peril Bhima was in. Armed with the powerful Brahmashira, Ashwatthama posed a serious threat and might act impulsively. Krishna urged the Pandavas to quickly catch up with Bhima to shield him from Ashwatthama’s wrath.
Ultimately, Ashwatthama’s arrogance and desire for power led to his humiliation, teaching him the limits of his strength and the futility of challenging divine will. Krishna’s wisdom and restraint highlighted the importance of humility and Dharma in the face of ambition.
