Ghatotkacha was Bhima’s son by an asura princess. He and his asura forces became more powerful and ferocious at night and attacked the Kaurava army throwing it into complete confusion. Duryodhana told Karna that it was necessary to get Ghatotkacha out of the way. Karna had kept Vajra, Indra’s weapon, for killing Arjuna. But in the confusion at night, he used it against Ghatotkacha, killing him. The Pandavas mourned the loss of another worthy and beloved son. Krishna advised the Pandavas that Drona had to be made weak first. This could be done if someone told him that his son Ashwatthama was dead. It so happened that there was a huge elephant called ‘Ashwatthama’, whom Bhima killed. A cry went up, “Ashwatthama is dead!” Drona, hearing this, was shaken and asked Yudhishthira if it was true. Yudhishthira said that it was true adding softly, “Ashwatthama, the elephant.” At that moment Dhrishtadyumna killed him.
Ghatotkacha and Drona
