To defeat Dronacharya Sri Krishna plans a new gimmick. On the side of Pandavs there was an elephant by the name Ashwathama. This was the name of the son of Dronacharya also. Sri Krishna tells Yudhisthir to spread the rumour that Ashwathama is dead! In effect the elephant is killed and everyone shouts, "Ashwathama is dead, Ashwathama is dead!"

Dronacharya also hears these words and suspects that his lone son is killed in the battle. Gloomy at the loss of his son he approaches Yudhisthir and asks, "O Yudhisthir, I know you never speak untruth, please tell me what has happened. Is Ashwathama really dead?"

With great effort Yudhisthir says, "Yes, Ashwathama is dead"; but adds in whisper, "I do not know whether he is a man or an elephant." Dronacharya in the din and bustle fails to hear the second half of the sentence and thinking that his loving son has died, gives up the fight and is then killed.

Here Ashwathama, son of Dronacharya, learnt about the trick played by Sri Krishna and Yudhisthir in killing his father. He was furious and decided to kill Arjun. Ashwathama after great austerities and tapas, had procured the most effective "Astra" weapon known as Brahmastra that never failed. When it was aimed at a particular person that person was sure to die. But it was useful only once! Ashwathama decided to use this Astra on Arjun. Sri Krishna came to know this plan of Ashwathama to put an end to the life of Arjun. He thought of a plan and called Bhim for some private talk. Sri Krishna reminded Bhim about his powerful son Ghatotkach born of demon wife Hidambi! Ghatotkach had special supernatural powers of getting invisible, small, large, etc. at will. Sri Krishna suggested Pandavs to call this son of Bhim who would wreck havoc in Kauravas army when Ashwathama would be forced to use his Brahmastra on him instead of Arjun.

Accordingly Bhim wished Ghatotkach to come to Kurukshetra and indeed, as soon as his father wished, as promised by him, this great and powerful warrior was there in front of Bhim and Sri Krishna. He was told to fight and annihilate the Kauravas army next day to which he gladly agreed.

Next day the battle began. Ashwathama was in search of Arjun, but Ghatotkach obstructed his path. Moreover, Ghatotkach vomited fire and threw large quantity of boulders and sand on Kauravas. There was total chaos in Kauravas camp. Soldiers were running here and there. Scores of their army men were killed.

Duryodhan now requested Ashwathama to kill this demon otherwise he said, "Nobody will be alive." Reluctantly Ashwathama had to use 'the one time use' Brahmastra on Ghatotkach instead of Arjun.
Ghatotkach died but saved the life of Arjun.

The great Karna dies

Now, Karna takes over the charge of the Kaurava army, and soon declares either he would survive or Arjun.

The ferocious battle leaves more than half the soldiers dead. The destruction was raging its death-dance every where. Karna with his bow and arrow was sending men after men to the death valley. Pandavs were terrified.

Sri Krishna was also worried and decided to put an end to this mighty eldest son of Kunti. Next day he takes the chariot of Arjun to combat Karna's onslaught. Arrow after arrow try to find weakness in each other's skill, but no, both Arjun and Karna were found to be equal.

Then a superior arrow hits Arjun making him lose his poise. Other arrow follows when Sri Krishna shows his might and skill to avoid damage to Arjun. The arrow misses Arjun by four fingers because Sri Krishna had pushed it four fingers in the ground!

Now comes the crucial factor of that curse of the Guru Parashuram to Karna.
As is told previously, the sage Parashuram was displeased with Karna because he had become his disciple and learnt archery in the disguise of a Brahmin boy. At that time the Guru had cursed him that at the crucial moment he would face difficulty on the battle-field which will put his life in jeopardy. That moment comes.

The wheel of Karna's chariot is jammed and his chariot tilts to one side. All the efforts are of no avail. Karna cannot fight the war with ease. Sri Krishna tells Arjun to take advantage of the situation and kill Karna.

But Arjun refuses to attack the enemy in distress. He sees Karna pleading to let him remove his jammed wheel. But Sri Krishna reminds Arjun of the laugher of Karna at the pathetic condition of Draupadi in the royal court. 'Where had Karna's modesty and sense of justice gone then?', asks Sri Krishna. Thus reminded of the insult of Draupadi. Arjun sees no point to show leniency and kills Karna also.

A very great warrior, the greatest archer, and eldest son of Kunti dies thus siding towards Kauravas for the lost love of mother in the childhood. Sri Krishna respectfully performed the last rites on the body of Karna.