Book Seven:  Drona

Drona succeeds Bhishma as the Commander in Chief of the Kaurava Army.  
There are more massacres on the battlefield.  The Kaurava Army decides 
they need to get rid of Arjun before they can do anything else.  
Bhagadatta, a warrior on the side of the Kauravas challenges Arjun.  
They go to the southern part of the battlefield and start their battle. 
 
Meanwhile back at the main battle, Duryodhan orders a circular 
formation of his armies.  Judhishthir entrusts Abimanyu to pierce the 
circle.  There are only a few warriors who know how to pierce this 
defensive strategy and Abimanyu has learned from his father Arjun.    
Abimanyu maneuvers his chariot and gets past the defense.  Once he is 
inside the circle, all the Kaurava warriors gang up on him and kill 
him.  Arjun comes back from his victory only to find that his son is 
now dead.  Arjun avenges his son's death by killing Jayadrath.  

During another battle, Bhim summons his son Ghatotkach to come help 
them.  Karna is forced to fight him and in a last attempt he uses his 
deadly spear given to him by Indra to kill Ghatotkach.  The Pandavas 
mourn as Karna fumes because now he cannot use the spear on Arjun.  

Many more days of battle continue.  Drona kills Draupad and Virat.  
Krishna contrives a plan to kill Drona.  Bhim kills an elephant that 
they have named Aswatthaman, which is also the name of Drona's son.  
Bhim shouts with elation that Aswatthaman is now dead.  Drona does not 
believe him and asks Judhishthir, who is famous for his love of the 
truth, if it is true.  Judhishthir tells him that Aswatthaman is dead, 
knowing full well that it is not a complete lie since the elephant 
Aswatthaman is truly dead.  Drona become overwhelmed with sorrow and 
lays down his weapons and goes into a deep meditation.  Dhrishtadyumna 
cuts off Drona's head as he meditates and throws in to the Kauravas' 
camp.  The fifteenth day of battle ends.   



****Please press the back button to return to the previous page****