Arjuna Punishes Asvatthama
(Story From Srimad Bhagavatam (1.1.7))
Asvatthama, the son of Droṇacarya beheaded the five sleeping sons of Draupadi and delivered their heads.
Draupadi, the mother of the five children of the Paṇḍavas, after hearing of the massacre of her sons, began to cry in distress with eyes full of tears.
Arjuna told Draupati that he will bring the head of Asvatthama.
Asvatthama, seeing from a great distance Arjuna coming at him with great speed, fled in his chariot, panic stricken, just to save his life.
(Story of sage Narada! READ HERE!)
When Asvatthama saw that his horses were tired, he considered that there was no alternative for protection outside of his using the ultimate weapon, the brahmastra [nuclear weapon].
Since his life was in danger, he touched water in sanctity and concentrated upon the chanting of the hymns for throwing nuclear weapons, although he did not know how to withdraw such weapons.
Thereupon a glaring light spread in all directions. It was so fierce that Arjuna thought his own life in danger, and so he began to address Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa.
Arjuna spoke to Krishna:
“O Lord of lords, how is it that this dangerous effulgence is spreading all around? Where does it come from? I do not understand it.”
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said:
“Know from Me that this is the act of the son of Droṇa. He has thrown the hymns of nuclear energy [brahmastra], and he does not know how to retract the glare. He has helplessly done this, being afraid of imminent death. O Arjuna, only another brahmastra can counteract this weapon. Since you are expert in the military science, subdue this weapon’s glare with the power of your own weapon.”
As said by the Lord, After circumambulating Lord Sri Krsṇa, Arjuna cast his brahmastra weapon to counteract the other one.
When the rays of the two brahmastras combined, a great circle of fire, like the disc of the sun, covered all outer space and the whole firmament of planets.
Seeing the disturbance of the general populace and the imminent destruction of the planets, Arjuna at once retracted both brahmastra weapons, as Lord Sri Krsṇa desired.
(Lord Caitanya delivers Jagai & Madhai! READ HERE!)
Arjuna, his eyes blazing in anger like two red balls of copper, bound Asvatthama with ropes like an animal.
Lord Śri Krsṇa said:
“O Arjuna, you should not show mercy by releasing him, for he has killed innocent boys in their sleep. Furthermore, I have personally heard you promise Draupadī that you would bring forth the head of the killer of her sons. This man is an assassin and murderer of your own family members. Not only that, but he has also dissatisfied his master. He is but the burnt remnants of his family. Kill him immediately.”
But, Arjuna, a great soul, did not like the idea of killing him, although Asvatthama was a heinous murderer of Arjuna’s family members.
After reaching his own camp, Arjuna, along with his dear friend and charioteer [Sri Krsṇa], entrusted the murderer unto his dear wife, who was lamenting for her murdered sons.
Draupadi then saw Asvatthama, who was bound with ropes like an animal and silent for having enacted the most inglorious murder. Due to her female nature, and due to her being naturally good and well-behaved, she showed him due respects as a brāhmaṇa.
She could not tolerate Asvatthama’s being bound by ropes, and being a devoted lady, she said:
“Release him, release him, for he is a brahmaṇa, our spiritual master. It was by Droṇacarya’s mercy that you learned the military art of throwing arrows and the confidential art of controlling weapons. O most fortunate one who know the principles of religion, it is not good for you to cause grief to glorious family members who are always respectable and worshipful. My lord, do not make the wife of Droṇacarya cry like me. I am aggrieved for the death of my sons. She need not cry constantly like me.”
(Eight Childhood lilas of Sri Caitanya Maha Prabhu! READ HERE!)
All Pandavas accepted the views of Draupati except Bhima.
Sri Krsṇa said:
“A friend of a brahmaṇa is not to be killed, but if he is an aggressor he must be killed. All these rulings are in the scriptures, and you should act accordingly. You have to fulfill your promise to your wife, and you must also act to the satisfaction of Bhimasena and Me.”
Arjuna could understand the motive of the Lord by His equivocal orders, and thus with his sword he severed both hair and jewel from the head of Asvatthama.
Cutting the hair from his head, depriving him of his wealth and driving him from his residence are the prescribed punishments for the relative of a brahmaṇa. There is no injunction for killing the body.
Thereafter, the sons of Paṇḍu, and Draupadi, overwhelmed with grief, performed the proper rituals for the dead bodies of their relatives.
(Start of Creations by Krishna thru different manifestations! READ HERE!)