156. Karna Forced to Use Indra's Shakti Astra Against Ghatotkacha

The Kaurava army is totally demoralized as Ghatotkacha breathes out fire and crushes soldiers under his feet. The ease with which Ghatotkacha butchers the enemy leaves Duryodhana at his wit's end. Shakuni calls for Alambusha, the son of demon Bakasura, who was killed by Bhima while the Pandavas lived at Ekachakrapura. As commanded by Shakuni, Alambusha clashes fiercely with Ghatotkacha, but is finally killed by him. To appease the rattled Duryodhana, Drona decides to use celestial weapons to kill Ghatotkacha, but Lord Indra intervenes and declines to give permission to Drona.

Draupadi visits Dushala. Dushala is very rude to Draupadi and insults her by insinuating her morality in marrying five men. Kunti and Gandhari try to calm Dushala but can't. In one big outburst, Gandhari declares her son Duryodhana as evil. She admits her first mistake is to let Shakuni stay on in Hastinapura, the second one is to let Duryodhana live and not heed to Vidura's advice to discard him at birth.

Satyaki kills Somadutta, father of Bhurisravas. Drona kills Virata. Drupada confronts and challenges Drona. Drona tells Drupada that he still considers him his friend and wouldn't want to attack him. Drupada insists on fighting. Drona easily overpowers and kills Drupada. As he dies, he says, "My son will kill you".

Drishtadhyuma is heart-broken. He accuses Drona of simply fibbing about his love for his childhood friend, but never ever cared truly for him. Drona's mind was set at rest the instant he gave back half the Panchala kingdom to him, but it is Drupada who has been keeping the fire of animosity and retribution alive in his mind. Drupada did penance and has got Drishtadhyumna only to wreak vengeance on him. On the other hand, he never hesitated teaching dhanur vidya to Drishtadyumna, even though he knew that Drishtadhyumna was destined to kill him.

Duryodhana asks Karna to use Lord Indra's Shakti astra on Ghatotkacha. Karna hesitates, but Duryodhana insists. Drona was a Brahmin, which is possibly why Indra didn't want such a divine astra to be used casually, in contravention of rules. Karna was a kshatriya whose dharma is to kill the enemy and also to carry out a king's command. Karna prays to Indra for permission and receives the astra in his hands.