The Curse's Details:
- Ashwatthama used the powerful Brahmastra on the sleeping Pandava sons (Upapandavas) and aimed it at the womb of Uttara, the pregnant wife of Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu, to end the Kuru lineage.
- Krishna, after reviving Parikshit with the same gem from Ashwatthama's forehead, cursed him to wander the earth for 3,000 years, experiencing perpetual suffering, no peace, and a festering wound on his forehead where the gem was removed.
- The curse lasts for 3,000 years, after which he is prophesied to be freed when Lord Kalki (the final avatar of Vishnu) appears.
- Ashwatthama became a Chiranjivi (immortal), but his immortality brought torment, not glory, as he couldn't die or find rest, forever haunted by his guilt and the physical pain.
Key Elements:
- The curse was a direct consequence of Ashwatthama's extreme rage and violation of ethical war codes (dharma) by attacking the innocent and unborn.
- The divine jewel on his forehead, given for protection, was forcefully removed by Krishna, causing the incurable wound that symbolizes his punishment.
The Boon from Krishna
Bhishma had the power of icchamrityu (self-willed death) from his father, King Shantanu, meaning he could not die until he willed it. However, the arrows piercing his body caused severe agony. As he lay dying on the battlefield, waiting for the auspicious time of Uttarayan (the sun's northward passage) to pass away and attain liberation, Krishna visited him.
Krishna granted Bhishma the following to alleviate his suffering:
- Freedom from Pain: Krishna bestowed a special grace upon Bhishma, freeing him from physical discomfort, burning sensations, hunger, and thirst.
- Clarity of Mind: Krishna ensured that Bhishma maintained perfect clarity of perception, memory, and understanding. This was crucial because Krishna wanted Bhishma, a great statesman and scholar, to impart his vast knowledge of dharma (righteousness), statecraft (Rajneeti), and spiritual truths to the future king, Yudhishthira, before he died.
This interaction highlights Krishna's compassion and his acknowledgment of Bhishma's righteousness and devotion, despite their opposing sides in the war. Bhishma was then able to calmly share his final teachings with the Pandavas and ultimately leave his mortal body at the time of his choosing, his mind fixed on Lord Krishna.
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