Hindu EpicsStories from the Mahabharata

The Fall of Drona

Witness the tragic end of the invincible Drona through a masterstroke of divine deception.

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Illustration for The Fall of Drona - a stories from the mahabharata Hindu Epics story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Experience the tragic Fall of Drona in the Mahabharata. Discover how Krishna used a clever deception involving Yudhishthira to defeat the invincible teacher.

On the fifteenth day of the Kurukshetra War, Drona, the preceptor of both Pandavas and Kauravas, appeared invincible. Krishna realized that as long as Drona held his bow, the Pandavas could never win. He devised a stratagem: Bhima killed an elephant named Ashwatthama and proclaimed that Drona’s son, Ashwatthama, was dead. Skeptical, Drona turned to Yudhishthira, who was known never to tell a lie. Yudhishthira confirmed, "Ashwatthama is dead," but added in a whisper, "the elephant, not the man." Krishna blew his conch shell to drown out the clarification. Broken by grief, Drona discarded his weapons and entered a deep meditative state. Seizing the moment, Dhristadyumna beheaded the defenseless teacher, marking a tragic end for the great master whose only weakness was his love for his son.

The Moral

Even the most righteous must sometimes face the consequences of their attachments, and in a war for Dharma, the end is sometimes used to justify difficult means.

“Ashwatthama is dead; whether man or elephant, I know not.”

Fun Fact

After Yudhishthira told the half-truth, it is said that his spiritual merit decreased so much that his chariot, which previously floated four finger-breadths above the soil, instantly sank to the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of The Fall of Drona?

The story suggests that personal attachments can become a warrior's greatest vulnerability. It also explores the ethical complexity of using deception to achieve a greater good during a holy war.

Who killed Drona in the Mahabharata?

Drona was beheaded by Dhristadyumna, the son of King Drupada. Dhristadyumna was born from a sacrificial fire specifically for the destiny of slaying Drona.

What did Yudhishthira say to Drona?

Yudhishthira said, 'Ashwatthama is dead,' then whispered 'Naro va Kunjaro va,' which translates to 'whether man or elephant.' The second part was obscured by Krishna's conch.

Why did Yudhishthira's chariot touch the ground?

Before this event, Yudhishthira’s chariot always hovered slightly above the ground due to his absolute truthfulness. After he spoke the half-truth to Drona, his chariot finally touched the earth.

Why was Drona fighting for the Kauravas?

Drona was bound by his loyalty and service to the throne of Hastinapur. Despite his love for the Pandava brothers, especially Arjuna, his professional duty forced him to fight for the Kauravas.

What was the name of the elephant Bhima killed?

The elephant was also named Ashwatthama. It belonged to Indravarman, the King of Malwa, and its death was the key to the psychological trap set for Drona.