The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 118

After Drupada even Virata succumbed to Drona's arrows. The noble king who gave shelter to Pandavas ,the father of Uttara proved his loyalty by staying with Pandavas till his end.
Drona's rampage continued on Panchala warriors in a devastating manner.On seeing their dreadful Guru Pandavas lost hopes of victory.
Yudhishtir desparately expressed his concern before his brothers and Krishna." Certainly Drona will consume all of us in battle.None of us can even look at him except Arjun.But he will not fight with him wholeheartedly. " Krishna looked at Arjuna and said." Your Guru Dron can not be vanquished unless he puts aside his weapons in battle field.But he will do it if he hears of Aswathama's death."
Arjun 's face became pale and he disapproved the idea.Yudhishtir accepted the idea and looked at Bheema.
With great might Bheema killed an elephant called Aswathama with his mace.He then approached Drona and said." Aswathama has been slain in battle."
Drona's limbs stopped supporting him. He leaned on the pole of the chariot.He then tried to recover thinking of Aswathama's invincibility .He rushed towards Srinjayas and Panchalas and slaughtered them looking like Rudra at the end of the world.Suddenly great sages Viswamitra,Vasishta,Kasyapa Atri and others appeared in the sky visible only to Drona and advised him to cease fighting and lay aside his weapons." Drona,you behaved unlike a Brahmin. You used Brahmastra on innocent Kshatriyas.Now time has come for you to stop these sinful acts that are not suitable to a Brahmin."
Then Drona saw Bheema and Dhrisht Dyumn before him and became cheerless.He remembered Bheema's words about his son.He then approached Yudhishtir and said." Tell me O Yudhishtir.Is it true that what Bheema uttered just now? I want to hear from you."
Krishna then told Yudhi in a low voice." I am telling you. Your Guru is capable of annihilating your whole army. There is no sin if you tell untruth to save your people."
Bheema urged his Eldest." I just killed an elephant called Aswathama. So you won't incur sin if you say so.Follow the word of Kanha. Save our people."
Fearing to utter an untruth but earnestly desirous of victory Yudhishtir distinctly said." Aswathama was dead." He then added in a low voice." An elephant."
Drona heard his words and plunged in grief.He became cheerless and distressed.At that moment Dhrishtdyumn started fighting with Drona who reciprocated his attack halfheartedly.
Bheemsen got angry and ridiculed Dron." You seem to doubt the words of Yudhishtir the just. But know the truth . Your son was no more.
Drona felt dejected and addressed Duryothan." Yuvraj Duryothan.I am quitting the battle. I keep aside my weapons."
Then Drona sat on the terrace of his chariot and resorted to yoga.He went into a tranquilled state and fixed his mind on the Supreme being.Drona then was able to free his soul from his body and left for heavenly regions.Only five people witnessed that wonderful event the soul of Drona flying higher leaving his body. They are Krishna,Arjun,Aswathama,Sanjaya and Yudhishtir.
Dhrishtdyumn then jumped on to Drona's chariot and with sword in hand became ready to cut off his head,Arjun alone with tears in eyes cried out to Dhrishtdyumn." Bring my Guru here. Dhrisht don't slay him" Dhrisht disregarded Arjun's cries and chopped off Drona's head from his body.
Bheemsen embraced Dhrisht and hailed him.You did a great thing Dhrisht.I am relieved now"
The Kuru army started running away on seeing the slaughter of the preceptor.Aswathama was informed about the way his father was cheated by Pandavas taking his name.
Aswathama trembled with anger and shouted." Yuvraj. I will make Dharma's son repent for his misdeed.I will show Dhrishtdyumn what I can do to him.There is none in this world equal to me and Arjuna in the knowledge of weapons.I got the most powerful Narayanastra from my father.I will hurl it against Pandavas. They should endure the result of their wretched deed.
The NARAYANASTRA was invoked,violent winds started blowing Thunder was heard in the sky without clouds.A certain darkness pervaded the battle field.The nature looked tremendously agitated. The Pandava army shivered with fear and lost their courage.
Yudhishtir was terrified and asked Arjun." What is happening Arjun? Who is striking us now? I am scared on seeing the change in atmosphere."
Arjun replied in a bitter voice." It is Aswathama Eldest.In consequence of the slaughter of his father,he is ready to burn us alive.He believed that you will never tell untruth to him. But you betrayed his belief. Even though I cried again and again Dhrisht did that wretched act of killing my Guru. Now all of us combined together can not save him from Aswathama's wrath.Our dear preceptor had been slain for the sake of short lived Soverienity.I tell you. We are unrighteous.Even I betrayed my dear Guru. He thought that Arjun will stand by him come what may. But I could not stop Dhrisht. I will sink into hell for failing my Guru.Fie on me."
Bheema approached Arjun and reprimanded him." Enough of your Guru Bhakti Arjun. This dear preceptor of you stood motionless when your wife was dragged in the court and humiliated.You must have forgotten the loss he caused to our side but I won't . I never regret anything done today. He is my rival. That's all.
Dhrisht then argued with Arjun." Dhananjay! In what angle he looked like a Brahmin ? He is ruthless. He used celestial weapons on innocent soldiers. After entering the battle field we should not count with whom we are fighting. And that is why you slaughtered your own grandfather. Don't forget my birth itself happened for the slaughter of Drona. I still can not negate you harshly because of Draupadi,my sister is your wife.But I can tell you soon victory will be yours. Don't regret now."
Madhav's Parth still had tears in his eyes and reminisced his Guru Dron and his affection.' Forgive me Gurudev. Forgive your Arjun."He prayed in his heart.