Let us remember that
An obstacle
Aswatthama reached the camp of the Pandavas in a great hurry. The other two followed him right behind. They found the entrance guarded by a ferocious looking ghost-like figure (Bhoota). Aswatthama could not tolerate an obstacle on his path. He sent a sharp arrow against the guard hoping to quickly remove the nuisance. But, he found that his arrow had no effect on the guarding spirit at the gate. The son of Drona started sending the special weapons in his kit one by one, but, they all failed against the formidable keeper of the Pandava camp.
Aswatthama was frustrated. Time was crucial for the new Kaurava commander for the success of his plan. He started praying to Lord Siva, the God of ghosts. The Lord was soon pleased with his prayers and appeared before the Kaurava warrior. Siva said. “I posted the ghost to test you. I am pleased with your devotion. I know that the time has come for the Panchalas to depart from this world.” In the next moment the surprised Aswatthama found that both the Lord and the ghost had disappeared from the scene.
The main target
Now the entire Pandava camp lay wide open in front of the son of Drona. Asking Kripa and Kritavarma to guard the entrance he searched for his main enemy first. He had no difficulty in spotting Dhrishtadyumna deeply in sleep in his own quarter. Aswatthama gave him a kick that made the sleeping Panchala wake up with a startled expression. That was precisely the intention of the person who stood menacingly over him. In the next instant, the Panchala found himself being strangled by the bare arms of his attacker. He realized immediately who his enemy was and what his intention was.
Without offering any resistance Dhrishtadyumna pleaded with his tormentor. “Son of Drona, you are welcome to kill me, but, please make it quick, that too with a weapon”.
That was what Aswatthama was not going to do. He replied. “You lied to my father that made him throw his weapons away. Remember that he was also your own teacher. It was then that you, like a coward, killed him. You do not deserve the heaven meant for brave warriors who die fighting.” So saying, Aswatthama strangled his enemy to death.
The massacre
The groans coming out of the dying Panchala awoke others who were sleeping near by.
The desire for vengeance had turned Aswatthama, who was a Brahmin by birth, into a demon, thirsty for blood of every one in the camp. Pandava warriors like Uttamoujas and Yudhamanyu soon became the targets for Aswatthama’s weapons. Next he turned to Sikhandi and all other Panchala princes. They were all trying to get up from deep sleep and were anyway too tired to offer any resistance.
The five sons of Draupadi quickly got ready to challenge the enemy who broke into their midst in the middle of night. But, the son of Drona killed them all one by one without much difficulty.
What followed was a total massacre. The son of Drona went from bed to bed killing every one who lay down exhausted and deep in sleep. If any one tried to escape, he was chased and cut down without mercy. The two guarding the entrance took care of any who were lucky to escape from the sword of Aswatthama.
Soon, the Pandava camp resembled a battle field with bodies of soldiers strewn all over. Aswatthama was satisfied that he had finished the task that he had come to accomplish. The three then set the camp ablaze making sure that if any one was left out, he would surely perish in the fire.
To the dying Kaurava
Aswatthama said. “If our leader is still alive, I want to take this news quickly to him”. So saying he rushed to the spot where Duryodhana was lying down. The Kaurava prince was still breathing, though feebly. The son of Drona bent down and spoke gently in the ears of the dying prince. “My friend, I have kept my word. I have killed every one found in the Pandava camp. Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandi and the sons of the Pandava have all been killed. So are all the soldiers of the combined Pandava and Panchala forces. Only seven are left on the Pandava side, the five sons of Pandu,
Duryodhana opened his eyes slowly. He had heard what he so desperately wanted to hear. He said. “What you have done makes me happy beyond words. No one else, including Bhishma, your father and Karna could do what you have done for me. Now I can die fully satisfied that we have settled the score with the Pandavas”. With those words the valiant Kaurava breathed his last.
With the death of Duryodhana the chapter of “the killing of the sleeping soldiers (souptika vadha parvam)” comes to a close. We may treat that the war ends here, though related incidents continue through the next episodes.
