Ashvatthama
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Ashvatthama is one of the major characters in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. He is the son of Drona, the royal preceptor to the Kuru princes—the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Ashvatthama is a close
Ashvatthama (right) departs after surrendering to Draupadi and the Pandavas, 18th century Pahari miniature
A folio from the Razmnama (Persian translation of the Mahabharata) depicting a battle between Dhrishtadyumna and Ashvatthama, c. 1598
An illustration from Razmnama depicting Ashvatthama firing Narayanastra, c. 16th century
Ashvatthama propitiates Shiva (top) before making a night attack on the sleeping Pandava camp (bottom). Folio from Razmnama
Parikshit
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Parīkṣit was a Kuru king who reigned during the Middle Vedic period. Along with his son and successor, Janamejaya, he played a decisive role in the consolidation of the Kuru state, the arrangement of
Ashvatthama
…Brahmashirastra. Unable to recall the weapon, Ashvatthama instead targets the Pandava lineage and Pandavas' women including Uttara—who is pregnant with Parikshit. Although the child dies, Krishna later revives him. As punishment for his actions, Krishna curses Ashvatthama to wander the earth for three thousand…
Parikesit in the Javanese wayang kulit shadow theatre
King Parikshit hunting
Parikshit was crowned by Yudhisthira.
Sage Shukdeva narrating the story of Krishna to Parikshit