Ghatotkacha's Sacrifice

On the night of the fourteenth day the fighting did not stop. The battle went on by torchlight. In the darkness the mightiest of all was Ghatotkacha, son of Bhima and Hidimba, of the rakshasa race, whose strength grew even greater at night.

Ghatotkacha flew through the sky, vanished, then suddenly appeared again, raining down rocks and weapons. Panic spread through the Kaurava army. Soldiers cried out, 'Karna, stop him, or everything will be over tonight!'

Karna had the infallible spear given to him by Indra, which could be used only once. He had saved it for Arjuna. But at the pleading of Duryodhana and everyone else, with no other choice, Karna hurled it at Ghatotkacha.

The spear struck Ghatotkacha in the heart. But even as he fell, he finished his service: he made his body as big as a mountain and came crashing down on a large part of the Kaurava army. Grief filled the Pandava camp; Bhima wept bitterly.

Yet Krishna looked relieved. When Arjuna asked him why, he said, 'That spear was meant for you. Tonight Ghatotkacha gave his life and saved yours.' Everyone then understood how great Ghatotkacha's sacrifice was.