The Curse of Gandhari

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Gandhari was the queen of King Dhritarashtra, who was blind, and she also voluntarily blindfolded herself for life as a sign of empathy for her husband. Gandhari is often depicted as a symbol of virtue, devotion, and sacrifice. 

The curse of Gandhari is associated with the tragic events of the Kurukshetra War, a great war that took place between the Kauravas (the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra) and the Pandavas (cousins of the Kauravas). The war was a result of the longstanding rivalry and conflict between the two factions. Gandhari had a hundred sons, the Kauravas, who were on the opposing side of the war against the Pandavas. Despite her love for her sons, she was aware of their wrongful actions and the injustices they had committed. She was disappointed with her husband Dhritarashtra for not reigning in their behavior and for supporting their unjust actions.

As the Kurukshetra War reached its climax, Gandhari approached Lord Krishna, who was a key advisor to the Pandavas, seeking his intervention to prevent further bloodshed. She cursed Krishna, blaming him for not using his divine power to prevent the war and the resulting destruction. Her curse to Krishna was "May you, Krishna, the cause of this war, witness the annihilation of your own dynasty, and may you die alone and in despair, just as I will die grieving for my own lost sons."

This curse is believed to have been one of the contributing factors to the eventual demise of the Yadava dynasty, to which Krishna belonged. The Yadava dynasty faced infighting and self-destruction, leading to the fulfillment of Gandhari's curse.

The curse of Gandhari is a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of war, human conflict, and the complexities of morality in the context of ancient Indian mythology and literature.

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The Vow of Bhishma Pitamah

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Bhishma Pitamah, also known as Bhishma, is a central character in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was a prominent warrior and a key figure in the Kuru dynasty. Bhishma is known for his unwavering dedication to principles and his pivotal role in the events leading up to and during the Kurukshetra War.

One of the most notable aspects of Bhishma's character is his vow of lifelong celibacy, known as "Bhishma Pratigya" or "Bhishma Vow." This vow was a result of a complex set of circumstances and personal choices. Bhishma was born as Devavrata, the son of King Shantanu and the river Goddess Ganga. He earned the name "Bhishma" (meaning "terrible" or "fearsome") due to his extraordinary prowess in battle. Bhishma's vow of celibacy was made to ensure the happiness of his father and to avoid any potential succession disputes in the kingdom.

The story starts with the King....

King Shantanu fell in love with a beautiful woman named Satyavati, who lived by the river. Satyavati's father had a condition that only her children could inherit the throne. However, Shantanu's eldest son, Bhishma (then Devavrata), could not ascend the throne if he were to marry and have children. Seeing his father's love and desire for Satyavati, Devavrata made a vow of celibacy to ensure his father's happiness.

Devavrata took a solemn vow that he would remain celibate for life, renouncing his right to the throne and any potential progeny. This act was intended to ensure that any descendants of Satyavati would be eligible to inherit the throne without any competition from Devavrata's lineage. In recognition of his selfless sacrifice and the magnitude of his vow, Devavrata was given the name "Bhishma" by his father, signifying his fearsome resolve and dedication to his promise. Shantanu gave boon to Bhishma of "Ichha Mrityu" (Euthanasia) which simply meant he can control his death. 

Bhishma's vow of celibacy had far-reaching consequences. While it preserved his father's happiness and helped prevent potential conflicts over the throne, it also resulted in Bhishma's prolonged life due to his inability to die at will. This immortality in battle played a significant role in the events of the Mahabharata, as Bhishma fought valiantly on the side of the Kauravas during the Kurukshetra War.

Bhishma's character is often admired for his unwavering commitment to his principles, even in the face of personal sacrifice and challenging circumstances.

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Ashwathama

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Ashwatthama was the son of Dronacharya, the royal teacher of the Kuru princes, and played a crucial role in the Kurukshetra War, a major conflict in the Mahabharata. He was born with a gem on his forehead which give him power over all living being also it protected him from hunger, thirst, and fatigue. He was on the side of  Kauravas. 

After the war, Ashwatthama was filled with anger and grief over the death of his father and the destruction caused by the war. In a state of extreme distress and rage, he committed a grave act by targeting the sleeping Pandava camp during the night. He entered their camp and ruthlessly slaughtered the sons of the Pandavas, mistaking them for the Pandava brothers themselves.

When this heinous act was discovered, Ashwatthama was pursued and captured by the Pandavas. In response he confessed of killing Pandavas sons and said he will also kill Abhimananyu's unborn child so that Pandavas doesn't have any heir left, he used the most powerful weapon Brahmastra directing it to attack Uttara's womb (Uttara was the wife of Abhimanyu) . Krishna who saw this got very angry with Ashwatthama's act, as a punishment the gem (mani) on Ashwatthama's forehead was taken away, and he was cursed by Krishna that he will roam in the forest till the end of Kaliyuga with blood and puss oozing out of his injuries and cry for his death but death would not meet him.

Later Krishna revived the unborn child and the baby was named as Parikshit (considered as the first person of Kaliyug). Many has claimed of seeing Ashwatthama. It is believed that he visits the very old Shiva Temple to offer pooja early in the morning in Asirgarh Fort (Burhanpur district, Madhya Pradesh).

The Curse of Ashwatthama serves as a moral lesson about the consequences of unchecked anger, revenge, and the misuse of power. It also highlights the concept of dharma (righteousness) and the karmic repercussions of one's actions. Ashwatthama's curse underscores the complexities of human nature and the profound themes explored within the Mahabharata epic.

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