“Can it be true? Is my son really dead?” That was the thought that tormented Drona as he fought on the 15th in the morning.
It is said that some sages from heaven came down at that time and advised Drona to stop fighting. They said. “Fighting a war is not something a noble Brahmin like you should engage in. You have done a sinful act by killing so many innocent ones in the war”.
It was then that Drona found Dhrishtadyumna coming forward to fight against him. The sight of the Panchala prince who was born to end his life dampened the spirit of the Acharya even further.
The fatal lie
Krishna guessed the predicament in the mind of the Acharya. He spoke to Yudhishthira. “If the Acharya continues to fight like this even for half a day, there will be none left in our army. You will have to tell him that Aswatthama has been killed, even if it is a lie, to save your life and ours”. Bhima came along at that time and declared that he had killed an elephant by name Aswatthama.
It was then that Drona wanted confirmation of what Bhima told him from a reliable source. He called out to Yudhishthira. “Is it true that my son has been killed?”
Yudhishthira had made up his mind to tell the lie against his innate nature. He said aloud. “Yes, it is true that aswatthama has been killed”. Then, as though to reduce the impact of the sin, he spoke in a low voice, “Aswatthama, the elephant”.
It is said that the chariot of Yudhishthira always stood four inches above ground as he had a divine status because of his strict adherence to principles. When he uttered those words of untruth his chariot wheels came down and touched the earth.
When Drona heard the confirmation of the death of his son from Yudhishthira he lost all interest in war and in his own life.
Dhrishtadyumna against Drona
By the time the Panchala arrived to face Drona the Acharya had lost interest in fighting. But, Dhrishtadyumna started sending arrows in quick succession at Drona unconcerned about the mental state of the Acharya. When the sharp arrows from the Panchala started piercing his chest Drona woke up for a while and started fighting spiritedly. Then, he again lost interest and slowly sank into inaction.
Finally, the Acharya became totally dispirited and dropped his bows and arrows in the chariot. He then sat in the lotus posture in full meditation unconcerned about the raging war that was going around. It is said that slowly a glow arose from his body and went up to the sky through his head. His life had thus left his body and ascended to heaven. Only a few enlightened souls like Krishna and Arjuna could see that breathtaking scene.
The end of the Acharya
Dhrishtadyumna noticed that his enemy had dropped his bow. That was the opportunity he was waiting for. He jumped down from his own chariot and rushed to Drona with sword in hand. He jumped up into the Acharya’s chariot, caught hold of his hair and cut his head off from his already lifeless body.
It was too late for Arjuna who rushed forward shouting, “no, no, do not pay disrespect to the Acharya!” The same sentiment was expressed by all the soldiers around who all shouted in unison, “do not kill!”
Bhima alone came forward and embraced the Panchala and congratulated him for the heroic act.
With this the chapter on “the killing of Drona (Drona Vadha Parvam) comes to a close. But, the war on the 15th day and the Book of Drona continues in the next chapter, too.
