Ashwathama is deeply distressed by Duryodhana'words that cast aspersions on Drona's loyalty and integrity. He rushes to kill Duryodhana, but is stopped in time by Karna who drags and presents him before Drona. When Durna hears about has just transpired, he chides his son and tells him emphatically that what we was about to do is disloyal to Dritarashtra and Duryodhana who have been sustaining them all these years. Aswathama pointedly asks his father Drona if they should switch loyalties and join the Pandavas especially since he acknowledges that Duryodhana's acts are against dharma.
Drona recalls the time when Dushasana dragged Draupadi to the royal court and tried to disrobe her. His mind had been so turbulent then and he had wanted to kill all those who indulged in this despicable act. But thoughts of loyalty had bound him then and they do more so, now. 
That's why he has decided to prove his loyalty by using Brahmastra against Arjuna. He advises Aswathama to continue to be friendly and loyal to Duryodhana. He gets emotional by Aswathama's love for him and says he lives for him alone, and wouldn't want to live even for an instant without him.
The omniscient Krishna knows about Drona's weakness for his son that would make him lay down his bow. Drona believes his son to be invincible, because he has taught him the technique of using Brahmastra. So Krishna plots to raise doubts in Drona's mind about Ashwathama's immortality. Within the ear-shot of Drona who is on the river bank for his morning ablutions, Krishna tells Draupadi that when the gods give powerful boons to humans that confer immortality, they would always carry conditions under which they may fail. All demons, whether Soorapadma or Ravana, were killed that way only. The ploy works, and seeds of doubt are sown in Drona : nobody can defy death for ever.
The fifteenth day of battle begins. Neither army has organized their troops on a vyuha.
A spy brings news to Duryodhana that the Pandavas have devised a plan to kill Drona in the battle. Drona fights ferociously against Arjuna. But Arjuna has a counter offensive for each of his weapons. 
Left with no choice, Drona decides to use Brahmastra on Arjuna. He invokes the Astra, but Lord Brahma reminds Drona that he is the son of Sage Bharadwaja, he should not use Brahmastra, especially against people on the path of dharma. He praises the restraint shown by his disciple Arjuna who too possesses Brahmastra. So Drona decides not to incur sin by using the divine weapon.
As planned, Bheema kills an elephant named Ashwathama and informs Drona that Ashwathama is dead. Yudhishtra lies that Ashwatamma (Drona's son) has been killed in battle. Drona lays down arms and starts meditating on the battlefield.
Shakuni tells Aswathama to go to assist Drona, but he dismisses it, saying Drona has powerful weapons to meet any situation.
As Drona continues to meditate, the light from his body goes up to merge in the Supreme. Drishtadhyumna decapitates a lifeless Drona, just as everybody is stupefied by this treacherous act.
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