Mahabharatha stories: Krishna & Ashwathaama

On the 18th  day of the Mahabharata war,  Ashwatthama, slaughters all the sons of Pandavas, while they were fast asleep after their victory in the great war. When Draupadi sees all her children dead, she completely breaks down and implores Bhimasena to kill Ashwathama and get the divine gem which he had on his forehead. Bhima immediately takes up his chariot and takes Nakul as his charioteer goes in pursuit of Ashwathama, who is hiding in Veda Vyasa's ashram. 

As soon as Bhima departs, Krishna says,  its very dangerous that Bhima has gone alone to fight against  Ashwathama, who possesses the mighty weapon Brhamshiras. This weapon is extremely powerful and can burn the whole world. Dronacharya was very happy with dedication and devotion of Arjuna and he had imparted the complete knowledge of this weapon to Arjuna. Ashwathama couldn't bear it and  and begged his father to also give this wearpn to him. Dronacharya was reluctant as he knew Ashwathama  was not of a stable mind and reckless in nature. However, the love for his son made him to give the knowledge of this weapon to Ashwathama. He however, enjoined his son to never use this weapon on any human being, even while his own life was at threat in a battle. Drona also told him, it seems you are not destined to lead  life of righteousness. 

Now, when the Pandavas were in the forest during their period of  exile, Ashwatthama was wandering over the whole country and also happen to reach Dwaraka. He was welcomed by the Yadavas as a guest and given all kinds of luxuries. One day he happened to meet Krishna alone and said, "I have received the  Brahmashiras weapon from my father, which I want to exchange with your Sudarshana chakra". Krishna was very amused and said, all the devas, danavas, nagas, gandharvas, men, birds, animals combined together are not even one-hundreths of my energy. You are free to choose any of my weapons(bow, mace or Sudarshana chakra) and you don't have to even exchange your Brahmashira weapon with me. Ashwathama, in all his stupidity, once again asked for Sudarshana. Krishna said take it. Now, Ashwathama tried to lift that great weapon with his left hand, he couldn't move it even an inch, then he tried with his right hand, still he couldn't move it. He used all his strength,  still couldn't even stir that mighty weapon. Having failed miserably at moving Sudarshana, he sat down with exhaustion and dejection. 

Krishna, after enjoying this stupid spectacle of Ashwathama said, Arjuna my dearest friend, Pradyumna my son and Balarama my dearest brother,  I can do anything for these people and also give them anything. They have never asked me what you asked. What was the purpose of your asking me Sudarshana, whom did you want to fight with that great weapon.  Ashwathama said, after acquiring the Sudarshana, he wanted to fight against Krishna himself. He thought that once he obtains Sudarshana, he would become invincible in the three worlds and none(gods, asuras) can defeat him. After failing to even move Sudarshana, he realised that only Krishna is capable of  wielding that mighty weapon and now he wants to go away from Dwaraka. 

Having narrated this story, Krishna tells Yudhishthira, that Ashwatthama is a very cruel and wicked person and they all should rush immediately to save Bhimasena from him. Krishna then takes Arjuna along with him. As predicted by Krishna when Ashwathama sees the Pandavas coming after him, he fires the Brahmashiras weapon for the destruction of Pandavas. Arjuna invokes another Brahmashiras to neutralize the weapon fired by Ashwathama. As, the energy of these weapons is highly dangerous for the humanity, both Vyasa and Naarada asks Ashwathama and Arjuna to withdraw their weapons. The weapon could only be withdrawn by a person who has a very pure soul else it will destroy the person who fired it.. Arjuna is able to do it, but  Ashwathama couldn't and he directs the energy of this weapon on the womb of Uttara who is carrying the unborn child of Abhimanyu. Seeing this act of Ashwathama, Krishan curses him to live for 3000 years with a wound which will not heal. He will not have any companions and people will not welcome him to any society. The Pandavas also take away Ashwathama's divine gem and give it to Draupadi.