Character

Ashwatthama

अश्वत्थामन्Aśvatthāman

verses
1,630
books
15
chapters
297
Child of
Drona

What the texts say

In the Mahabharata, Ashwatthama is the son of Drona, foremost among bearers of weapons. Mahabharata 1.57.90 Drona taught him the Brahmashira weapon, said to consume the earth. Mahabharata 10.12.4 Later, at night, he entered the camp and killed Dhrishtadyumna, a Panchala prince, as he slept. Mahabharata 10.9.51, 10.8.12 Ashwatthama declares his weapon will fall on the womb of Virata's daughter, whom Krishna wishes to protect. Mahabharata 10.16.7 Ashwatthama is then told he will wander the earth for three thousand years. Mahabharata 10.16.10 Born with a jewel on his head, Ashwatthama handed it over and departed downcast into the forest. Mahabharata (Gita Press) 10.11.20Mahabharata 10.16.19

Where to read

Every verse that names Ashwatthama, book by book.

  1. Mahabharata

    1,443 verses · 250 chapters

    All 1,443 verses in the Mahabharata

    Also in the Gita Press edition: 1,500 verses

    • 10.8.138

      Having carried out that act in accordance with his vow, O lord, Droṇā’s son, after traversing a difficult course, became free of his father-related anguish.

    • 7.131.53

      Drauṇi brought down Añjanaparvan—the grandson of Bhīma, armored in iron—just as Maheśvara is said to have brought down Andhaka.

    • 7.171.24

      When the forces had thus re-formed and the weapon had been checked, Duryodhana then addressed Droṇa’s son, O great king.

  2. Skanda Purana

    101 verses · 10 chapters

    All 101 verses in the Skanda Purana
    • 3.1.31.1

      The sages said: O Sūta, how did Aśvatthāmā commit the killing of sleeping (persons)? And how was he freed from that sin by immersion at Dhanuskoṭi?

    • 1.2.40.208

      Thus have these future (figures), headed by Aśvatthāman, been indicated to you. And in the Dvāpara (age), dharma-texts also become divided for the welfare of the world.

    • 1.2.66.6

      “By Droṇa—in a fortnight; by Drauṇi (Aśvatthāman)—in ten days in battle; and likewise by Karṇa—in six days.” Thus they have ever been a cause of fear to me.

  3. Bhagavatam

    40 verses · 10 chapters

    All 40 verses in the Bhagavatam
    • 1.7.13

      When the respective warriors of both camps, namely the Kauravas and the Pāṇḍavas, were killed on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra and the dead warriors obtained their deserved destinations, and when the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra fell down lamenting…

    • 1.8.11

      Sūta Gosvāmī said: Having patiently heard her words, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is always very affectionate to His devotees, could at once understand that Aśvatthāmā, the son of Droṇācārya, had thrown the brahmāstra to finish the last life in the…

    • 1.12.1

      The sage Śaunaka said: The womb of Uttarā, mother of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, was spoiled by the dreadful and invincible brahmāstra weapon released by Aśvatthāmā. But Mahārāja Parīkṣit was saved by the Supreme Lord.

  4. Shiva Purana

    13 verses · 3 chapters

    • 3.36.1

      Nandīśvara said: “O all-knowing Sanatkumāra, listen to the sublime incarnation of Śiva—the Supreme Self—the all-pervading Lord, known by the exalted name ‘Aśvatthāmā.’”

    • 3.38.54

      “He is Aśvatthāmā, the son of Droṇa—an invincible one, a portion (aṃśa) of the Rudra-like power. By me, your aims shall be accomplished in every way; listen to what is truly for your own welfare.”

    • 5.34.34

      Rāma, Vyāsa, and likewise Atreya—radiant and greatly learned; Bharadvāja, and also Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāmā, of mighty splendor—(are among those renowned in this sacred account).

Also named in

Key chapters

The chapters where Ashwatthama matters most.

  1. Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8: Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout

    Mahabharata 10.8 · 95 verses

    Primary agent of nocturnal vengeance

  2. Aśvatthāmā’s Night Assault (Suptamāraṇa) and Prescribed Expiation (Prāyaścitta)

    Skanda Purana 3.1.31 · 78 verses

  3. Somadatta’s Kṣātra-Dharma Accusation; Night Combat, Māyā, and the Fall of Ghaṭotkaca (Droṇa-parva, Adhyāya 131)

    Mahabharata 7.131 · 75 verses

    Kaurava bulwark against māyā

  4. Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault

    Mahabharata 7.171 · 47 verses

    Bearer of divine weapon and agent of vengeance

  5. The Duel of Aśvatthāmā (Drauṇi) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Pārṣata)

    Mahabharata 7.135 · 45 verses

    Kaurava champion asserting Droṇa’s lineage and restoring…

  6. Aśvatthāmā’s Lamentation, Vow of Retaliation, and the Manifestation of the Nārāyaṇāstra (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६६)

    Mahabharata 7.166 · 42 verses

    Avenger and escalator

  7. Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā (Drauṇi)

    Mahabharata 8.12 · 35 verses

    Elite challenger who attempts to arrest Arjuna’s momentum and…

  8. कर्णपर्व · द्विचक्रिकी युद्धपरिस्थिति: धृष्टद्युम्न- द्रौणि-संघर्षः तथा अर्जुन-रक्षणम् (Chapter 42)

    Mahabharata 8.42 · 34 verses

    प्रतिशोध-प्रेरित आक्रामक

  9. Adhyāya 6: Śibira-dvāra-sthita Bhūta-varṇana and Aśvatthāmā’s Śaraṇāgati to Mahādeva

    Mahabharata 10.6 · 29 verses

    Agent of impending violence transformed into a supplicant by…

  10. Duryodhana’s Final Condition, Lamentation, and the Night’s Report

    Mahabharata 10.9 · 27 verses

    Agent of violent closure

Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q2044550