It was the fifteenth day of war. Drona was unstoppable after he took over as commander-in-chief position after Bhishma. Being his teacher, Arjuna could not raise his bow against him. The cruel killing of the unarmed Abhimanyu changed his mindset. But he could not control his teacher and the cost of lives he imposed on Pandava army.

Krishna suggested a deceptive plan to eliminate Drona. Drona had immense affection for his son Ashwatthama. But he could not be won as he was an immortal warrior. If he died, Drona would lose his will power on the battle field. Krishna suggested to them to make some plan so that he would hear these words.

Bhishma killed an elephant by the name of Ashwatthama on the fifteenth day of war. Drona was surrounded by Pandava-s. They told Drona that Ashwatthama was killed. Drona did not trust their word. He verified with Yudhishthira, who was the Dharma raja among the warriors. Yudhishthira said ‘Yes’ loudly and murmured that he did not know if it was a man or an elephant, so that Drona would not be able to hear it.

Drona felt helpless. The man who killed a number of people during the war, became wordless for those deceitful words. He put his weapons down, sat down, and practiced penance.

Krishna asked Pandava-s to kill him. No one was ready, as Drona was not only a Brahmin but also their teacher. Krishna convinced them that he lived like a kshatriya (warrior), even though he was born as Brahmin. He further affirmed that Drona should die as Kshatriya as well. Dhrishtadyumna – Drupada’s son and commander-in-chief of Pandava’s army – took his sword out of his scabbard. He beheaded Drona to take revenge for his father’s death.

A lie killed Drona – who had an enormous amount of vengeance on his friend, who took Ekalavya’s thumb as tuition fee, and who trained the Kuru princess.

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