We’re at an extremely crucial juncture wherein Yudishtra has uttered an important set of words, which contained truth, but was projected to be a lie! Guru Dhronachaarya comes towards Yudishtra to confirm the news about his son, Ashwatthama and Yudishtra replies that Ashwatthama has died – In a loud tone, but when he says “But Ashwatthama is the name of an elephant”, his voice is drowned by the loud sounds of the “Shankams” that start blowing from all directions from the Paandava camp! Thus, Guru Dhronachaarya was able to hear only the “Shabdhams” that Ashwatthama has been killed. But failed to hear the elephant “Shabdha”. This breaks Guru Dhronachaarya’s heart – Once and for all! He comes to a conclusion that there’s no point in fighting this war any further after the demise of his son! For whom is he going to live this life anymore, if his son is dead? Thinking thus, Guru Dhronachaarya’s body starts trembling! His hands and legs start giving up! However, he still continues with the meak fighting against whoever comes in front of him.
As this is happening, moving on further, Bheemasena comes forward and utters something important. He says thus, “Oh Guru Dhronachaarya! You should be ashamed! Your son is dead and you’re still fighting against us! Are you a real Brahmana? Normally, a Brahmana is characterized by a greater extent of attachment towards the son / daughter. Whereas, you do not seem to have this characteristic at all in you! You’re fighting as if you are a “Kshatrya”! You had said that you will put down your weapons when your son is no more! But now you are continuing to fight! This defies all logic! If you’re defying your “Varnaashrama Dharma”, do you know what “Naraka Lokha” you will go into? You are fighting as if you’re a Kshatrya! This is completely absurd! Oh Guru Dhronachaarya! For whom you were fighting all this while – This person is no more now! If Ashwatthaama is not alive, what is the reason for your presence in this battlefield any further?”
As Bheemasena asks such bitter questions repeatedly, Guru Dhronachaarya starts feeling that his heart is going to break anytime! These words of Bheemasena add insult and injury to the already existing wound of losing his son! Thus, reluctantly all the weapons that Guru Dhronachaarya is holding in his hands start falling down one after the other. His strong bow that he holds confidently slowly falls down on the ground! His arrows and “Asthras” fall down one by one and finally Guru Dhronachaarya stands in the middle of the battlefield sans any weapon in hand! This is exactly the time which Drishtadhyumna is waiting for! Readers might remember – Drishtadhyumna (Yaagnyasena) is the son of King Drupada and the very purpose of his birth is to kill Guru Dhronachaarya. We’ve witnessed earlier that Drishtadhyumna came out of the “Yagnya” that King Drupada performed exclusively for this purpose, because King Drupada wasn’t able to defeat Guru Dhronachaarya by himself on the battlefield. Now, Drishtadhyumna senses the opportunity to fulfil his purpose of birth!
Thus, as Drishtadhyumna gets ready, Guru Dhronachaarya sits in his chariot itself and starts meditating! He goes into a deeper “Yogam” and now Drishtadhyumna takes the sword in his hand. He rushes towards Guru Dhronachaarya, catches hold of his hair and chops off his head! Guru Dhronachaarya falls on the ground, dead! Upon seeing this ghastly incident, Arjuna shrieks out in intense anger and frustration! However, even before Drishtadhyumna could chop off his head, Guru Dhronachaarya’s “Atman” started off its journey from his “Deham”, all the way to the “Svarga Lokham”. It is just Guru Dhronachaarya’s body that Drishtadhyumna was able to kill! As Guru Dhronachaarya’s head came out of his body, blood started to flow all over the ground and Drishtadhyumna carried his head all the way and dropped it in front of Duryodhana & Co.! What a ghastly sight this could be for Duryodhana and Co.!
So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue further in the next episode! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 