Introduction
Ashwatthama is the son of Drona and Kripi. He fought on the Kaurava side, and is known for the massacre in the Pandava camp on the last night of the war.
This article primarily follows the Mahabharata. Where a well-known detail comes from a Puranic or later source, the article identifies it.
Family
After his father's death
When Dhrishtadyumna killed Drona after a false report of Ashwatthama's death, Ashwatthama was furious. He used the Narayanastra against the Pandava army.
The night massacre
After Duryodhana fell, Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritavarma attacked the Pandava camp in the night. Ashwatthama killed Dhrishtadyumna and the five Upapandavas in their sleep.
The Brahmastra
The Pandavas pursued him. Ashwatthama released the Brahmastra, meant to end the Pandava line, and aimed it at the womb of Uttara. Krishna revived the child. Krishna cursed Ashwatthama to wander the earth for three thousand years, in pain and without company. Ashwatthama is counted among the Chiranjivis, and in tradition is said to be still alive.