Ashwatthama's Night Attack

The three warriors reached the dying Duryodhana. Burning over the treacherous death of his father Drona, Ashwatthama swore, 'Tonight I will destroy the Panchalas and the Pandavas.' Even in that state, Duryodhana made him commander.

That night the three rested under a banyan tree. Kripa and Kritavarma slept, but Ashwatthama stayed awake. He watched an owl come out of the darkness and kill the crows sleeping in the tree, one by one. A terrible idea came to him: 'I will attack the enemy while they sleep.'

Kripa tried hard to stop him: 'Striking a sleeping man is adharma.' But Ashwatthama would not listen. At the gate of the Pandava camp a huge, fearsome being blocked his way and swallowed all his weapons. Ashwatthama then prayed to Lord Shiv and was ready to offer himself into the fire. Pleased, Shiv gave him a sword and entered into him.

Ashwatthama went into the camp. He beat the sleeping Dhrishtadyumna to death with his hands and feet, so that he would not have a warrior's death. Then he killed Draupadi's five sons, Shikhandi and countless sleeping warriors. Those who fled were cut down by Kripa and Kritavarma at the gates. The camp was set on fire.

The Pandavas, Krishna and Satyaki had spent that night outside the camp on Krishna's advice, and so they survived. Before dawn Ashwatthama brought the news to Duryodhana, who died content. The war fought in the name of dharma ended in a night of adharma.