Drona commanded the army. Duryodhana knew that Drona too did not wish to harm the Pandavas. So, he devised a crafty scheme. On the eleventh day Duryodhana, Karna and Dushasana persuaded Drona to take Yudhishthira captive. They stated that they would not harm the other Pandavas. It made Drona very happy. The spy of the Pandavas informed them of the plan.
On the battlefield Drona unleashed a reign of terror. Each and every soldier of the Pandava army was trying to protect Yudhishthira. Nakul broke the chariot of Shalya and then drove him back. Bhima perpetrated great atrocities on the Kaurava army. When preceptor Drona came face to face with Yudhishthira, Arjuna reached there. He nullified the attack of Drona who had to retreat. Thus ended the eleventh day’s battle. Drona said to Duryodhana, “Until and unless Arjuna in there, it is impossible to imprison Yudhishthira. So, try to take Arjuna away from the battlefield.”
Susharma, king of Trigarta and staunch enemy of the Pandavas, took upon the responsibility of repulsing Arjuna. On the twelfth day, he challenged Arjuna who got engaged in a battle with Susharma’s soldiers. In the meantime, Drona advanced towards Yudhishthira. Then Dhrishtdyumna came in front of Drona. Leaving Dhrishtdyumna there, Drone proceeded towards Drupad and after defeating him charged at Yudhishthira. But Dhrishtdyumna was alert. Thus raged a fierce battle between the two. King Virata’s one son and Dhrishtdyumna’s two brothers were killed in this battle. Seeing this Bhima, Satyaki, Nakula and Drupad came there to give battle to Drona. Then Duryodhana and Karna with a herd of elephants reached there to help Drona.
But Bhima killed all the elephant. Then King Bhagadatta came there mounted on a war-elephants, Supratik. The elephant curled its trunk round Bhima’s waist and lifted him up. It gave Bhima immense pain. Beating back Susharma’s attack, Arjuna went to aid Bhima who killed the elephant. Arjuna did away with Bhagadatta. Shakuni who had fled the battlefield reached there. He was wounded by Arjuna. Even after much effort Drona was unsuccessful in imprisoning Yudhishthira. So, Duryodhana accused him of supporting the Pandavas. Thereupon Drona spoke out, “O Duryodhana! Restlessness is your weakness. The Pandavas are protecting Yudhishthira very efficiently. Tomorrow I will make a lotus formation which cannot be ripped through by any of the Pandavas except Arjuna.”
