Inconsistencies with the character of Ashwathama.

Feats of Ashwathama
1) He killed three aukshounis.

Drona Parva Section 131 -

"He was like the illustrious fire, consuming beings at the time of the destruction of a yuga. He severely consumed one akshouhini of nairritas88 with his arrows, like the god Maheshvara burning down the city of Tripura in the sky.89"

Drona Parva Section 131 -

"While Bhimasena, Hidimba’s son, Parshata, the twin warriors, Dharma’s son, Vijaya and Achyuta looked on, within an instant, he used sharp arrows to destroy one akshouhini of rakshasas, with their horses, charioteers, chariots and elephants."

Drona Parva Section 172 -

"An entire akshouhini had been killed, burnt by the maya of that weapon and their forms could not be distinguished.79"

2) He shot a million arrows.

Yudhishthir defeated Drona.

Drona Parva Section 132 -

When that weapon was destroyed by Yudhishthira, Bharadvaja’s son hurled varuna, yamya, agneya, tvashtra and savitra weapons.104 He was extremely enraged and wished to kill the descendant of the Pandu lineage. However, the mighty-armed one, who knew about dharma, was not frightened. He used his weapons to destroy all the weapons that had been hurled by the one who had been born in a pot. The one who had been born in a pot wished to fulfil the pledge that he had made.105 O descendant of the Bharata lineage! He released the aindra and prajapatya weapons.106 He wished to kill the son of dharma and was devoted to ensuring your son’s welfare. The lord of the Kurus107 possessed the gait of an elephant and a lion. He was broad in the chest and his eyes were large and red. His energy was not inferior.108 He invoked the mahendra weapon109 and destroyed those weapons. On seeing that his weapons had been destroyed, Drona was overcome with anger. Wishing to destroy Yudhishthira, he unleashed the brahma weapon.110 Everything was covered in darkness and we could see nothing. O lord of the earth! All the beings were full of great terror. O Indra among kings! On seeing that a brahmastra had been invoked, Yudhishthira, Kunti’s son, used a brahmastra to counter it. At this, all the foremost of warriors praised those bulls among men. The great archers, Drona and Partha, were skilled in all forms of fighting. ‘“Drona abandoned Kounteya and attacked Drupada’s soldiers.

Inconsistency with Ashwathama’s character in authentic versions of mahabharata.
Even though Ashwathama defeated Ghatotkaca many times, he himself lost to Ghatotkaca (once he lost during day time when Rakshasas are weaker).


Ashwathama defeated Bhima once, http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07197.htm and stalemated him another time http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08015.htm. Yet he did so many group attacks on Bhima, even teaming up with Drona, Karna, Duryodhana etc.
(12th day) http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07030.htm
Ashwathama fears for his life when he fights Abhimanyu, Arjuna etc in war. But he claims to be immortal (even before the death of karna, upapandavas etc) so why does he fear for death?
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08088.htm
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07046.htm
Ashwathama advised Duryodhana for peace with the Pandavas after the death of Duhsasana, yet still Ashwathama continued to wage war against them.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08088.htm
Ashwathama killed Ghatotkatcha’s son, then tells Ghatotkatcha that he does not want to kill him because he is the son of a man that his age (Bhima). http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07152.htm But then why does Ashwathama kill Ghatotkatcha’s son who was the grandson of Bhima? Why does Yudhishthira claim Ashwathama is older than him (thus older than bhima too)? http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05083.htm
Ashwathama called Sakuni the uncle of karna in virata parva, insulted Duryodhana, said he won’t fight Arjuna (yet still faced him many times in both wars), and said Karna dragged Draupadi (in Sabha Parva Duhsasana/Pratikamin did that though).
A agneya-astra of Ashwathama was able to destroy a Aukshouni of the Pandavas, how come whenever this astra was used by another warrior it did not even cause a fraction of the damage that it did when Ashwathama used it?

So Ashwathama has alot of inconsistencies in his character.

Who could defeat Hanumana?

Their were many who could defeat Hanuman. He is not invincible or a deity.

Regarding Mahabharata characters many of them were Kshatriyas/Brahmanas who were superior to gods in battle.

Ashwathama was a avatar of Shiva, i think he could easily defeat Hanuman.

Hanuman has incredible feats of strength he did lift a mountain peak, but Indra lifted whole mountains, and this Indra lost to Arjuna.

Hanuman’s boons are also not infallible, he was wounded by Ravan’s son Trishira, proving that Hanuman can still be injured by weapons.

“Hurt by the thrust of the sword, the valiant Hanuma the son of wind-god, struck Trishira on his breast, with his palm.”

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - Sarga 70 

I know Hanuman killed Trishira but this quote is not about that, about who is stronger its about boons failing, it is proof that Hanuman can be wounded easily by a sword.

I don’t know if Ramayana says that Hanuman tore his chest, but if it does then that means that Hanuman’s boon did not work because he injured himself.

These are some warriors who could defeat Hanuman. They are not Devtas. They’re Kshatriyas and Brahmanas (who still fought).

1. Arjuna
2. Abhimanyu
3. Ashwathama
4. Bhagadatta
5. Drona
6. Durvasa (he had a chariot and abducted Rukmini infront of Krishna).
7. Dhrishtadyumna (he had the Brahmastra)
8. Yudhishthira (because of brahmastra)
9. Kekaya king Brihatkshatra

Because he was also a user of the brahmastra. This weapon was used by Meghanada in Sundara Kanda to subdue Hanuman.

In Yuddha Kanda Meghanada used ordinary arrows to defeat Hanuman.

“Indrajit the wielder of a great bow smacked the chest-region of Jambavan with an arrow and released ten arrows towards Hanuman, the swift monkey. Indrajit, that strong and highly courageous demons, pierced those jewels among the monkeys there with his arrows which resembled flames of fire and began to shout in triumph. Indrajit, full of joy and victorious in conflict, returned to Lanka, spreading happiness among the demons.”

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - Sarga 46 

This is a fair defeat, Hanuman is commonly believed by people to be stronger than he actually is.