The battle did not stop. Drona spread fear and destruction in the Pandava army by his relentless attacks."O Arjuna," said Krishna, "there is none that can defeat this Drona, fighting according to the strict rules of war.

We cannot cope with him unless dharma is discarded. We have no other way open. There is but one thing that will make him desist from fighting.

If he hears that Aswatthama is dead, Drona will lose all interest in life and throw down his weapons. Some one must therefore tell Drona that Aswatthama has been slain."

Arjuna shrank in horror at the proposal as he could not bring himself to tell a lie. Those who were nearby with him also rejected the idea, for no one was minded to be a party to deceit.

Yudhishthira stood for a while reflecting deeply. "I shall bear the burden of this sin," he said and resolved the dead lock!