The Mahabharata is not only the saga of the war of the Kauravas and the Pandavas, but this book is filled with stories of innumerable characters whose roles may have been limited, but their struggle, spirit and decisions make this epic more mysterious. One such untold story is Nag Ashwasen’s – a serpent who considered Arjuna as an enemy of his life and whose only purpose was Arjun’s death. Let’s know why this story of Ashwasen started and how his vengeance remained incomplete.
Fire of Khandavaprastha and death of Ashwasen’s mother
According to the legend of Mahabharata, when the Pandavas found a land surrounded by uninhabited and dense forests of Khandavaprastha, Arjuna set fire to Khandav forest on Shri Krishna’s suggestion to make him liable. This fire was the beginning of a new construction, but many creatures died due to its destruction. One of these was Nag Ashwasen’s mother, who was scorched in the fire. Ashwasen somehow left after saving his life, but his soul could never forget this damage.
Ashwasen’s revenge against Arjun
After the death of his mother, Ashwasen’s mind was filled with hatred and vengeance towards Arjuna. He vowed that one day he would avenge his mother’s death by killing Arjun. But Arjuna was a great warrior and it was almost impossible to defeat him in a straight war. So Ashwasen made a plan – plan for a hidden attack.
Plan to meet Karna and kill Arjun
During the Kaurava-Pandava war when Karna and Arjuna were fighting face to face, Ashwasen saw the opportunity of his revenge. He sat in a subtle form and sat in the quiver of Karna. As soon as Karna took out an arrow to shoot Arjuna, Ashwasen hugged him. Karna found it strange, and tried to remove Ashwasen from the arrow, but he did not remove.
When Karna asked Ashwasen her introduction, she told the whole story – “I am the same Ashwasen whose mother was killed in the fire of Khandav forest. Arjuna killed my mother and now I have come to take revenge on her.”
Karna’s introduction to religious and valor
Karna heard the story of Ashwasen carefully, but as a true warrior, he obeyed Ashwasen, following religion and policy, “I can understand how big injustice has happened to you. But Arjuna did not do so intentionally. This fire was not for destruction, but for new construction.”
He further said, “I will definitely fight with Arjuna, but not tricked with your help. If I kill Arjuna with your help, it will be against my warrior religion.”
Ashwasen was affected by Karna’s truth and loyalty and quietly returned from the battlefield.
Introduction to true warrior
It is clear from this story that Karna, who was the enemy of Arjuna, still obeyed his principles and religion and kept the truth and dignity supreme. This is the identity of a true warrior.
Ashwasen’s story highlights the depths of Mahabharata, where there is a conflict between vengeance, sorrow and religion. It states that Mahabharata is not only the saga of war, but also a Mahasangram of human feelings and morals.
