Showing posts with label Mahabharat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mahabharat. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2026

What are some unknown and interesting stories from Mahabharat?

 When Pandavas were spending their time in the forest, Ashwathama visited Dwaraka and stayed there for a while. One day, he visited Krishna when the latter was alone by the seashore. He urged Krishna to offer his Sudharshana Chakra in exchange for the Brahmashira weapon which he obtained from his father.

O foremost one of Yadu's race, in exchange for that celestial weapon, give me thy discus which is capable of slaying all foes in battle

Krishna said gods, danavas, gandharvas, birds and men assembled together, are not equal to even a hundredth part of his energy. Krishna said to Ashwathama that he can take any weapons from him without giving any other weapon in exchange.

Gods, danavas, gandharvasmen, birds and snakes, assembled together, are not equal to even a hundredth part of my energy. I have this bow, this dart, this discus, and this mace. I will give thee whichever amongst these thou desirest to have from me.

Ashwathama said he wants the disc and Krishna told him to take it. Ashwatthama suddenly rose and tried to seize the discus with his left hand. He failed to even move the weapon. He then attempted to seize it with his right hand. He made every kind of effort and tried every means to grasp it. But though he used all his strength, he was incapable of raising it or moving it. Exhausted he withdrew from it.

Thus addressed, he rose suddenly and seized the discus with his left hand. He failed, however, to even move the weapon from the spot on which it lay. He then made preparations for seizing it with his right hand. Having seized it then very firmly and having put forth all his strength, he still failed to either wield or move it. At this, Drona's son became filled with sorrow.

Krishna told Ashwatthama than even his best friend Arjuna never spoke these words to him. Krishna said that he performed rigorous penance on Himalayas with Rukmimi to obtain a son named Pradyumna, who is as energetic as Sanatkumara. Even he never asked him his divine discus. His elder brother Balarama or his son Samba also never said such words. So Krishna asked Ashwathama for the purpose of obtaining the Sudharshana Chakra.

Rama of great might never said such words to me! Neither Gada nor Samba has ever asked that of me which thou hast asked! No one among the other great car-warriors of the Vrishni and the Andhaka race residing in Dvaraka has ever asked this of me which thou hast asked! Thou art the son of the preceptor of the Bharatas, thou art held in high respect by all the Yadavas. Let me ask thee, O foremost of car-warriors, with whom wouldst thou fight using this weapon?

Ashwatthama replied that he wants his discus to fight with Krishna himself and become invincible after obtaining it. Having failed, he realized that only Krishna is capable of wielding the Sudharshana Chakra. Ashwatthama then took many horses, wealth and diverse kinds of gems and left Dwaraka.

Thus addressed by me, Drona's son replied, saying, "After offering worship to thee, O Krishna, it was my intention to fight thee, O thou of unfading glory! It was for this, O Krishna that I solicited thee for thy discus which is adored by gods and danavasIf I had got it I would then become invincible in the world. Having failed, O Keshava, in obtaining my almost unattainable wish, I am about to leave thee, O Govinda! Address me in fair words now. This terrible weapon is held by thee that art the foremost of all terrible persons. Unrivalled art thou for this weapon! There is none else in this world capable of possessing it."

Having said these words unto me, the son of Drona, taking many couples of steeds and much wealth and diverse kinds of gems, left Dvaraka.

Ref: The Mahabharata Book 10: Sauptika Parva Section 12

Image courtesy: Pinterest

Footnotes

Friday, February 20, 2026

Would Arjun had won the Mahabharata war without Krishna?

 Short answer- No

Without Krishna Arjuna and the Pandavas would never have won the Mahabharata war. This was confirmed by Krishna himself.

The Pandavas were distressed and immersed in thought. On seeing this, Krishna spoke these words, in a voice that rumbled like clouds and drums. ‘All of them were swift in the use of weapons and were maharathas. In a fair fight, even if we fought bravely, we were incapable of defeating them in the battle. That is the reason I thought of means to slay those lords of men. Otherwise, the Pandaveyas would never have obtained victory.

Mahabharat Gadda Yuddha Parva Chapter 60 By Bori Ce

Fact is clear from numerous events that Kuru warriors would have killed Arjuna if not for Krishna on his side. Most important thing is that he would get the knowledge of Bhagwad Gita from Krishna to win the war

  • Bhishma proved too difficult to be beaten by the Pandavas and could be brought down only when Shikhandi stood before him. It was Krishna who planned that the best way to defeat him is to ask him else killing Bhishma would be impossible.
  • If not for Krishna Bhagadatta would have killed Arjuna twice on 12th day. His infalliable Vaishnavastra would have killed Arjuna had Krishna not stopped it. And his elephant Supratika would have trampled him had Krishna not skillfully guided the chariot.
  • Without Krishna Arjuna would not have been able to complete his pledge of killing Jyadratha. It was Krishna who suggested Arjuna to obtain a boon from Shiva before 14th day as he was not supposed to fight in the war.
  • Shrutayudh with his infalliable mace would have quite easily killed Partha on 14th day if not for Krishna present there.
  • Would have been killed had Krishna not informed him of Jyadratha,’ s boon by his father that The person who fights with Jyadratha in an encounter and brings his head down on the ground his head will shatter into a hundred fragments.
  • Karna with his infalliable Vasavi shakti could have killed Arjuna but it was Krishna who used his illusions to make Karna forget from using Vasavi shakti and send Ghatotkacha against Karna on 14th night so that the spear be wasted.
  • Drona was unstoppable on 15th day after Duryodhana,’ s taunts of him fighting mildly against the Pandavas. All the Pandavas including Arjuna were scared to death and Krishna planned to use treachery to bring him down as others were incapable of stopping him that day.
  • Narayanastra of Ashwathama would have consumed the entire Pandava army including Arjuna but it was Krishna who revealed the secret of countering Narayanastra only then the Pandavas managed to escape from the wrath of the weapon.
  • The supreme Agneyastra of Ashwathama would have again killed Arjuna and the entire Pandava army but was rendered futile due to Krishna as revealed by Vyasa to Ashwathama.
  • He failed to counter the Brahmastras of Drona and Karna which resulted in blasting of his chariot but he was saved by Hanuman and Krishna.
  • Nagastra of Karna would have beheaded Arjuna on 17th day but Krishna pressed down the chariot and prevented the arrow from hitting Arjuna,’ s neck.
  • Arjuna accepted his inability to counter Bhargavastra and claims how can a dead man be victorious indicating had he been in the range of Bhargavastra he would be killed. It was Krishna who suggested Arjuna to retreat to the camp hoping Karna would be exhausted giving Arjuna a better chance to fight him.

However there is no scope of these events occuring. Because without Krishna Arjuna would have been kiolled by Bhagadatta on the 12th day.

But Krishna was not the only one protecting Arjuna. In case of Ashwamedha Yagya Jyadratha foot soldiers would have killed him but Saptarishis Saved him from certain death. There were Invisible forces protecting Arjuna because of him being on side of dharma. This plot Armour might give him an edge.

Monday, November 17, 2025

Who are the five eldest warriors who took part in the Mahabharata War?

 These are the five eldest warriors in Kurukshetra war :-

  • Bahilika .

He was elder brother of Shantanu and uncle of Bhishma Pitahma .

He was killed by Bhimasena .

Then Bhima, for Satyaki's sake, afflicted the illustrious Valhika with nine shafts and pierced him therewith at the van of battle. Then the mighty-armed son of Pratipa, Valhika, filled with great fury, hurled a dart at the chest of Bhima, like Purandara himself hurling the thunder. Struck therewith, Bhima trembled (on his car) and swooned away. The mighty warrior then, recovering his senses, hurled a mace at his opponent. Hurled by the son of Pandu, that mace snatched away the head of Valhika, who, thereupon, fell down lifeless on the earth, like a tree struck down by lightning.

  • Somadatta .

He was eldest son of Bahilika and since Bhishma Pitahma was eight child of Shantanu and Mata Ganga , it is very likely he was older than Pitahma .

He was killed by Satyaki .

Then Satyaki, inflamed with rage, aiming at Somadatta's chest, shot a new and terrible Parigha equipped with a golden staff and hard as the thunder. The Kuru warrior, however, smiling the while, cut off that terrible Parigha advancing with speed against him in two parts. That formidable Parigha of iron, then, thus cut off into two fragments, fell down like so many crests of a mountain riven by thunder. Then Satyaki, O king, with a broad-headed arrow, cut off in that encounter Somadatta's bow, and then with five arrows, the leathern fence that cased his fingers. Then, O Bharata, with four other shafts he speedily despatched the four excellent steeds of the Kuru warrior to Yama's presence. And then that tiger among car-warriors with another straight shaft, smiling the while, cut off from his trunk the head of Somadatta's driver. Then he sought at Somadatta himself a terrible shaft of fiery effulgence, whetted on stone, steeped in oil, and equipped with wings of gold. That excellent and fierce shaft, shot by the mighty grandson of Sini, quickly fell like a hawk, O Lord, upon the chest of Somadatta. Deeply pierced by the mighty Satwata, the great car-warrior Somadatta, O monarch, fell down (from his car) and expired.

  • Bhishma Pitahma .

The great son of Maa Ganga and Shantanu .

He was brought down by Arjuna fairly .

Fierce was the battle fought there between thy troops and those of the enemy on that the tenth day, O king, when Bhishma and Arjuna met together. Like unto the vortex that occurs at the spot where the Ganga meets the Ocean, for a short while a vortex occurred there where the troops of both armies met and struck one another down. And the Earth, wet with gore, assumed a fierce form. And the even and the uneven spots on her surface could no longer be distinguished. Although Bhishma was pierced in all his vital limbs, yet on that the tenth day he stayed (calmly) in battle, having slain ten thousand warriors. Then that great bowman, Partha, stationed at the head of his troops, broke the centre of the Kuru army. Ourselves then, afraid of Kunti's son Dhananjaya having white steeds attached to his car, and afflicted by him with polished weapons, fled away from the battle. The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sayas, the Trigartas, the Amvashthas, and the Kaikeyas-these and many other illustrious warriors,--afflicted with arrows and pained by their wounds, abandoned Bhishma in that battle while he was fighting with the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Then a great many warriors, surrounding that single warrior on all sides, defeated the Kurus (that protected him) and covered him with shower of arrows. Throw down, Seize, Fight, Cut into pieces,--this was the furious uproar, O king, heard in the vicinity of Bhishma's car. Having slain in that battle, O monarch, (his foes) by hundreds and thousands, there was not in Bhishma's body space of even two fingers' breadth that was not pierced with arrows. Thus was thy sire mangled with arrows of keen points by Phalguni in that battle. And then he fell down from his car with his head to the east, a little before sunset, in the very sight of thy sons. And while Bhishma fell, loud cries of alas and oh, O Bharata, were heard in the welkin uttered by the celestials and the kings of the earth. And beholding the high-souled grandsire falling down (from his car), the hearts of all of us fell with him. That foremost of all bowmen, that mighty-armed hero, fell down, like an uprooted standard of Indra, making the earth tremble the while.Pierced all over with arrows, his body touched not the ground. At that moment, O bull of Bharata's race, a divine nature took possession of that great bowman lying on a bed of arrows. The clouds poured a (cool) shower (over him) and the Earth trembled. While falling he had marked that the Sun was then in the southern solstice.

  • Dronacharya .

He was son of Bharadwaj and is the only one with a clear age in Mahabharata which was supposed to 405 years .

He was slain by Drishtadyumna unfairly .

Thus addressed by Bhima, the mighty-armed Dhrishtadyumna speedily took up a strong, a new and a superb bow capable of bearing a great strain. Filled with rage, and shooting his arrows in that battle at the irresistible Drona, Dhrishtadyumna covered the preceptor, desirous of withstanding him. Those two ornaments of battle then, both foremost of fighters and both filled with rage, invoked into existence the Brahma and diverse other celestial weapons. Indeed, O king, Dhrishtadyumna covered Drona with many mighty weapons in that encounter. Destroying all the weapons of Bharadwaja's son, the Panchala prince, that warrior of unfading glory, began to slay the Vasatis, the Sivis, the Valhikas and the Kurus, that is, them, who protected Drona in that battle. Indeed, O king, shooting showers of arrows on all sides, Dhrishtadyumna at that time looked resplendent like the sun himself shedding his thousands of rays. Drona, however, once more cut off the prince's bow and pierced the vitals of the prince himself with many arrows. Thus pierced, the prince felt great pain. Then Bhima, of great wrath, holding the car of Drona, O monarch, slowly said these words unto him: If wretches amongst Brahmanas, discontented with the avocations of their own order, but well-versed in arms, did not fight, the Kshatriya order then would not have been thus exterminated. Abstention from injury to all creatures hath been said to be the highest of all virtues. The Brahmana is the root of that virtue. As regards thyself, again, thou art the foremost of all persons acquainted with Brahma. Slaying all those Mlecchas and other warriors, who, however, are all engaged in the proper avocations of their order, moved thereto by ignorance and folly, O Brahmana, and by the desire of wealth for benefiting sons and wives; indeed, for the sake of an only son, why dost thou not feel ashamed? He for whom thou hast taken up weapons, and for whom thou livest, he, deprived of life, lieth today on the field of battle, unknown to thee and behind thy back. King Yudhishthira the just hath told thee this. It behoveth thee not to doubt this fact.' Thus addressed by Bhima, Drona laid aside his bow. Desirous of laying aside all his weapons also, Bharadwaja's son of virtuous soul said aloud, 'O Karna, Karna, O great bowman, O Kripa, O Duryodhana, I tell you repeatedly, exert yourselves carefully in battle. Let no injury happen to you from the Pandayas. As regards myself, I lay aside my weapons.' Saying these words, he began loudly to take the name of Aswatthaman. Laying aside his weapons then in that battle, and sitting down on the terrace of his car, he devoted himself to Yoga and assured all creatures, dispelling their fears. Beholding that opportunity, Dhrishtadyumna mustered all his energy. Laying down on the car his formidable bow, with arrow fixed on the bow-string, he took up a sword, and jumping down from his vehicle, rushed quickly against Drona. All creatures, human beings and others, uttered exclamation of woe, beholding Drona thus brought under Dhrishtadyumna's power. Loud cries of Oh and Alas were uttered, as also those of Oh and Fie. As regards Drona himself, that large head of Bharadwaja's son before the warriors of thy army. Thy soldiers, O monarch, beholding the head of Bharadwaja's son, set their hearts on flight and ran away in all directions. Meanwhile Drona, ascending the skies, entered the stellar path. Through the grace of the Rishis Krishna (Dwaipayana), the son of Satyavati, I witnessed, O king, the (true circumstances about the) death of Drona. I beheld that illustrious one proceeding, after he had ascended the sky, like a smokeless brand of blazing splendour. Upon the fall of Drona, the Kurus, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, all became cheerless and ran away with great speed. The army then broke up. Many had been slain, and many wounded by means of keen shafts. Thy warriors (in particular), upon the fall of Drona, seemed to be deprived of life. Having sustained a defeat, and being inspired with fear about the future, the Kurus regarded themselves deprived of both the worlds. Indeed, they lost all self-control. Searching for the body of Bharadwaja's, son, O monarch, on the field covered with thousands of headless trunks, the kings could not find it. The Pandavas, having gained the victory and great prospects of renown in the future, began to make loud sounds with their arrows and conchs and uttered loud leonine roars. Then Bhimasena, O king, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, were seen in the midst of the (Pandava) host to embrace each other. Addressing the son of Prishata, that scorcher of foes, viz., Bhima said, 'I will again embrace thee, O son of Prishata, as one crowned with victory, when that wretch of a Suta's son shall be slain in battle, as also that other wretch, viz., Duryodhana.' Having said these words, Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, filled with transports of joy, caused the earth to tremble with slaps on his armpits. Terrified by that sound, thy troops ran away from battle, forgetting the duties of the Kshatriyas and setting their hearts on flight. The Pandavas, having become victors, became very glad, O monarch, and they felt great happiness, derived from the destruction of their foes in battle .

  • Kripacharya .

He and his twin sister were children of Maharishi Sharavadat Gautam .

He was one of the few survivors of wars .

Having said these words unto the king deprived of his senses and lying with broken thighs, Ashvatthama once more cast his eyes on him and uttered these words, "If, O Duryodhana, thou hast any life in thee still, listen to these words that are so pleasant to hear. On the side of the Pandavas, only seven are alive, and among the Dhartarashtras, only we three! The seven on their side are the five brothers and Vasudeva and Satyaki; on our side, we three are myself and Kripa and Kritavarma! All the sons of Draupadi have been slain, as also all the children of Dhrishtadyumna! All the Pancalas too have been slain, as also the remnant of the Matsyas, O Bharata! Behold the vengeance taken for what they had done! The Pandavas are now childless! While buried in sleep, the men and animals in their camp have all been slain! Penetrating into their camp in the night, O king, I have slain Dhrishtadyumna, that wight of sinful deeds, as one kills an animal.

Then there are some other such as Drupada who was classmate of Drona , Shalya who was present in Kashi Swayamvara were Bhishma had fought him , Bhagdutta was supposed to be very old , Bhurishava was very old too .

Jai Sri Krishna .

Saturday, November 15, 2025

What is the role of King Mahabhish in the Mahabharata?

 According to the epic, Mahabhish was born as king Shantanu, the father of Bhishma. Shantanu played an pivotal role in the epic as the father of Bhishma and then remarriage Satyavati, whose grandkids fought the battle of Mahabharat.

Curse of Brahma

Mahabhish was a king from Ikshvaku lineage. He performed austerities for years like Ashwamedh and Vajapeya sacrifices thereby attaining heaven.

However, one day in the court of Brahma, all the devas and Mahabhish were present. Ganga too entered the court, when due to wind, her upper garments got blown away.

While all others lowered their eyes, Mahabhisha continued to stare. This act of Mahabhish annoyed Brahma, who cursed him to be born on earth, to repent and regain his status again.

Vaishampayana said, ‘There was once a king named Mahabhisha. He was born in the Ikshvaku lineage and was a lord of the earth. He wasalways truthful and truly valorous. He pleased the lord of the gods through 1000 horse sacrifices and 100 vajapeya sacrifices and thus attained heaven.

‘One day, the gods went to pay homage to Brahma. Many rajarshis and King Mahabhisha were also present. Ganga, the best of the rivers, also came to pay homage to the grandfather. Her garments, as white as moonlight, were blown away by the wind and immediately the masses of gods lowered their faces. However, rajarshi Mahabhisha continued to stare unabashedly at the river. Because of this, Mahabhisha was cursed by the illustrious Brahma. “You will be born on earth and then you will again regain these worlds.” The king then thought about all the kings and ascetics on earth and chose the immensely radiant Pratipa as his father. On seeing King Mahabhisha lose his composure, the best of the rivers went away, thinking about him in her mind. Along her path, she saw the divine vasus. They were crestfallen and dark with despair at having been dislodged from heaven.

Chapter 91, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat

Mahabhish chose Pratipa, from the kuru lineage to be his father. And thus he was born as the son of Pratipa and named Shantanu.

Pratipa, bull among the Kshatriyas, performed austerities with his wife, so as to obtain a son. Though they were old, a son was born to them and this son was Mahabhisha. He was known as Shantanu, because he was born when his father had controlled his senses.

Chapter 92, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat

According to the epic, Mahabhish was born as Shantanu as per the curse of Brahma and thus took birth as the son of Pratipa.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

How did Lord Krishna revive Parikshit in Mahabharat?

 Lord Krishna saved Parikshit because he was not destined to die. Krishna does not interfere with destiny and hence he did not save Abhimanyu or Draupadi's sons. But Parikshit was destined to live and rule the Kurus for a long time.

Krishna challenges Ashwatthama that he will save Uttara’s son

Vasudeva replied, “This supreme weapon is invincible and will indeed descend. The foetus will be born dead. However, it will revive and live till a long age.

O extremely evil-minded one! That king will be known by the name of Parikshit. O worst of men! You will look on. Behold the power of my austerities, energy and truth.”

  • 16, Aishika parva, Mahabharata.

When the Pandavas had went away to Himalayas to collect the hidden wealth of Marutta, Uttara gave birth to a dead child. Great lamentations happened in Hastinapura. Draupadi, Kunti, Subhadra and Uttara pleaded to Lord Krishna to save the child and the lord agreed.

Lord Krishna invoked various truths and withdrew the power of Brahmashira, allowing Parikshit to come back to life

Krishna touched water and withdrew brahmastra’s powers. Dasharha had promised that he would bring him back to life. The one with the pure soul spoke these words, so that the entire universe could hear. “O Uttara! I do not utter a falsehood. This will come true. While all the creatures look on, I will revive him. I have never spoken a lie earlier, not even in jestNever have I retreated in battle. Therefore, he will come back to life. I love dharma and I specially love brahmanas. Abhimanyu’s son was born dead. But let him revive. There has never been a conflict between me and Vijaya. Through the virtue of that truth, let this dead child come back to life. Since truth and dharma have always been established in me, let this dead child come back to life. I killed Kamsa and Keshi by resorting to dharma. Because of that truth, let his child again come back to life.”

  • 68, Ashwamedha parva, Mahabharata.

When Parikshit was brought back to life, everyone praised Krishna

Krishna thus withdrew the power of brahmastra and that room was illuminated through your father’s energy. All the rakshasas were rebuffed and forced to leave that house. An invisible voice was heard to speak in the firmament, “O Keshava! Excellent.” The blazing weapon returned to the grandfather. O lord of men! Your father again got back his life. Appropriate to its capacity and its strength, the child began to move. O king! At this, the Bharata women were delighted. On Govinda’s instructions, the brahmanas pronounced benedictions. Everyone was delighted and praised Janardana. The wives of the lions among the Bharatas were like those who acquire a boat and reach the shore. Kunti, Drupada’s daughter, Subhadra and Uttara and the wives of the other lions among men were cheerful in their minds. Wrestlers, actors, fighters, narrators, soukhashayikas and large numbers of bards and minstrels praised Janardana.

  • 69, Ashwamedhika parva, Mahabharata.

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

What is the most powerful astra in the Mahabharata?

 

The Agneyastra generated by Ashwathama on 15th day of the war out of his sheer rage stands out as the most powerful celestial weapon in the great war.

The valiant Aswatthaman, then, staying resolutely on his car, touched water and invoked the Agneya weapon incapable of being resisted by the very gods. Aiming at all his visible and invisible foes, the preceptor's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, inspired with mantras a blazing shaft possessed of the effulgence of a smokeless fire, and let it off on all sides, filled with rage.

The heat generated by the weapon slowly started to scorch the entire universe and it felt like universal dissolution which Samvarta fire carried out in the end of a yuga.

Endued with fiery flames, those arrows encompassed Partha on all sides. Meteors flashed down from the firmament. A thick gloom suddenly shrouded the (Pandava) host. All the points of the compass also were enveloped by that darkness. Rakshasas and Pisachas, crowding together, uttered fierce cries.

Inauspicious winds began to blow. The sun himself no longer gave any heat. Ravens fiercely croaked on all sides. Clouds roared in the welkin, showering blood. Birds and beasts and kine, and Munis of high vows and souls under complete control, became exceedingly uneasy. The very elements seemed to be perturbed.

The sun seemed to turn. The universe, scorched with heat, seemed to be in a fever. The elephants and other creatures of the land, scorched by the energy of that weapon, ran in fright, breathing heavily and desirous of protection against that terrible force. The very waters heated, the creatures residing in that element, O Bharata, became exceedingly uneasy and seemed to burn.

From all the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, from the firmament and the very earth, showers of sharp and fierce arrows fell and issued with the impetuosity of Garuda or the wind.

Struck and burnt by those shafts of Aswatthaman that were all endued with the impetuosity of the thunder, the hostile warriors fell down like trees burnt down by a raging fire. Huge elephants, burnt by that weapon, fell down on the earth all around, uttering fierce cries loud as the rumblings of the clouds. Other huge elephants, scorched by that fire, ran hither and thither, and roared aloud in fear, as if in the midst of a forest conflagration.

The steeds, O king, and the cars also, burnt by the energy of that weapon, looked, O sire, like the tops of trees burnt in a forest-fire. Thousands of cars fell down on all sides. Indeed, O Bharata, it seemed that the divine lord Agni burnt the (Pandava) host in that battle, like the Samvarta fire consuming everything at the end of the Yuga.

The weapon burnt 1 akshouhini of Pandava army and soon spread it destruction. However, Arjuna APPARENTLY countered it with Brahmastra..

So it should be less powerful than Brahmastra? Well, that's the shocker.. Ashwathama' was shocked to see such an incident, he fled the scene and encountered Vyas and asks him how Krishna and Arjuna was able to escape with their lives. The weapon he generated was impossible to be countered and should've killed both Krishna and Arjuna. He asked Vyasa what was the reason for his Weapon’s failure.

'O sire, O sire, is this an illusion, or is it a caprice (on the part of the weapon)? I do not know what it is. Why, indeed, hath my weapon become fruitless? What breach (has there been in the method of invocation)? Or, is it something abnormal, or, is it a victory over Nature (achieved by the two Krishnas) since they are yet alive?

It seems that Time is irresistible. Neither Asuras, nor Gandharvas, nor Pisachas, nor Rakshasas, nor Uragas, Yakshas, and birds, nor human beings, can venture to baffle this weapon shot by me. This fiery weapon, however, having slain only one Akshauhini of troops, hath been pacified.

This exceedingly fierce weapon shot by me is capable of slaying all creatures. For what reason then could it not slay Kesava and Arjuna, both of whom are endued with the attributes of humanity? Asked by me, O holy one, answer me truly. O great Muni, I desire to hear all this in detail.'

Vyasa narrated the story of Krishna’s previous birth as sage Narayana, and how he had obtained boons from Shiva that made him invincible. It was Narayana who created Nara and protected him throughout the war. Earlier Shiva asked Jayadratha to spare Arjun as he was protected by Krishna. The Agneyastra was rendered ineffective due to Shiva’s boon to Krishna otherwise, it would have incinerated the entire Pandava army along with Arjuna and Krishna.

Literal plot armor was needed to stop this particular weapon. What more do you need to prove its power? Nothing in Mahabharat comes close to the power of this Astra which was empowered by Ashwathama'.. A’thama himself being a part of Rudra could be another reason for its immense destructive power.

Those two Rishis, said to be older than the oldest gods, take their births in every Yuga for serving the purposes of the world. Thyself also, O thou of great heart, hast been born as a portion of Rudra, by virtue of all thy religious acts and as a consequence of high ascetic austerities, endued with great energy and wrath.