In the Mahabharata, the Gem of Ashwatthama, also known as Ashwatthama's Mani or Ratna, holds significant mystical properties. As mentioned, it made the wearer invincible, providing protection from hunger, thirst, disease, and fear of various entities, including weapons, robbers, demons, serpents, and even gods.
According to the narrative, Ashwatthama was compelled to
part with the gem, ultimately ending up in the possession of the Pandavas. It
was then gifted to Draupadi, who subsequently passed it on to Yudhishthira.
However, the subsequent fate or whereabouts of the gem
remain ambiguous in the Mahabharata. The text doesn't explicitly mention what
happened to the gem after Yudhishthira received it. Legends and folklore
surrounding the Mahabharata offer various interpretations and speculations
about its fate.
One belief is that the gem remained hidden or concealed from
the world's eyes during the Kali Yuga, the age marked by conflict, evil, and
moral decline. It's said to be safeguarded until a future time when
righteousness prevails, during the Satya Yuga or the age of truth. According to
this belief, the gem will resurface and be discovered by someone in the Satya
Yuga.
The mystical nature of the gem and its disappearance
contribute to the aura of mystery and fascination surrounding the Mahabharata
epic, leaving room for interpretation and imaginative storytelling.