A little-known tale from Mahabharata that is so often used by men to prove male chauvinism.
The 18-day genocidal Mahabharata war finally ended with the total defeat of the Kaurava armies. Of the thousands of warriors, including the hundred Kaurava brothers, only three remained alive. These were Krip, Kritverma and Ashwathama. The last-named, Ashwathama was the son of Dronacharya, the Guru who had taught both the Kauravas and the Pandavas the art of warfare.
Like the clan patriarch Bhishma Pitamah, Drona obviously believed in the principle of “My country, my king, right or wrong.” He therefore sided with the Kauravas, the sons of the blind King Dhritarashtra. Along with his son Ashwathama, he took up arms against the Pandavas.
Guru Drona was a mighty warrior. After the fighting started, he soon began massacring large numbers of Pandavas’ soldiers every day, and they could find no way of stopping him. Finally the Pandavas devised a crafty plan to finish Guru Drona off.
Taking part in the fighting, were two Ashwathamas, one was the Guru’s son, the other a similarly named elephant. The Pandavas waited till Ashwathama was fighting in a remote corner of the vast battlefield and then they deliberately killed the elephant bearing his name.
Their soldiers, who were fighting in and around the area where Guru Drona was located, were thereafter instructed to start cheering and shouting loudly “Ashwathama is dead! Ashwathama is dead!”
Guru Drona heard the shouts, but did not believe what he was hearing. So, to set his doubts at rest, Drona drove over to where Yudhishtira was fighting and, knowing that the latter with his reputation for truthfulness, asked him point blank “Tell me the truth, is Ashwathama really dead?”
Yudhishtira, to his ever-lasting shame, replied loudly “Yes, it is true, Ashwathama is really dead” adding, under his breath, “But whether man or beast, I do not know.”
This story is from the April 2017 edition of ALIVE.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2017 edition of ALIVE.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Donald John Trump brings the US to inflection point
The president elect is being looked upon with more apprehensions than appreciation.
Demonetisation: ‘Unleash the black money demon'
An audacious move but there is a need to differentiate between despotic and democratic ways.
High Tech Courts Of Social Justice
These can provide speedy justice to the needy sections in an inexpensive way.
Gujarat Ke Gadhey!
Netaas May Call These Animals ‘Gadheda’ (Donkey), but for Me, They Are ‘Ghudkhar’ (Wild Ass), Says a Guard at the Wild Ass Sanctuary in Surendranagar.
I Wish to Get a National Award Shakuntala Barua
A famous Bangla Cinema actress talks about her past, present and future.
On Keeping Secrets
A little-known tale from Mahabharata that is so often used by men to prove male chauvinism.
Cho Ramaswamy: Not Just A Film Comedian
Even in octogenarian phase of life he continued as the editor of ‘Tughlak’ and ensured the weekly never lost its sting.
Bombay High Court quashes ban on women in Haji Ali Dargah
Removing the status of persona non grata for women at religious sites.
Pullela Gopichand
The man behind the coaching factory of badminton.
Asha Bhosle's gift of lineage
Some untold aspects of the singing legend.