Filled with rage against the killing of Jayadratha the Kauravas broke the rules of the battle and attacked the Pandavas even after sunset.
Ghatotkacha was Bhima’s son by Hidimba (a she-monster). He and his demon 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 Shakti, Indra’s divine weapon, for killing Arjuna. But in the confusion at night, he used it against Ghatotkacha, killing him. On the fifteenth day, 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 named ‘Ashwatthama’, whom Bhima had 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 beheaded Drona.
Killing of Ghatotkacha and Drona
