Tiruchengannur

During the Mahābhārata war, on the fifteenth day of the war, Bhīma and Drishṭadyumna attacked Dronacharya in full fury, but it had no avail. Droṇa still had many divine weapons left in his Astra-Bhandara. Then Krishna devised a plan wherein Droṇa would voluntarily drop his weapons, thereby presenting the opportunity for the Pāṇḍavas to kill him. Krishna told Bhīma to kill an elephant named Ashvatthāma, and then told everyone on the battlefield to announce that Ashvatthāma was dead.

As instructed, Bhīma immediately killed Ashvatthāma, the elephant, and all the warriors in the Pāṇḍavas' army started screaming, saying Ashvatthāma was dead. When Droṇa heard these words, he was in disbelief. He immediately went to Yudhishṭhira and asked what all the warriors were saying was true. Yudhishṭhira was put in a spot at that moment. He went into deep thought about how to convey the information. He says aśvatthāmā hataḥ which translates to Ashvatthāma is dead.

As soon as he had lied, the chariot, which always used to hover four inches above the ground, immediately fell to the ground. Droṇa was heartbroken and laid down his arms, renouncing war. He assumed a yogic stance and prayed to Lord Vishṇu, then instructed Karna to take charge of the army and protect Duryodhana.

As soon as Droṇa had laid down his arms, Drishṭadyumna came and beheaded Droṇa.

It is said that Yudhishṭhira came to this kshethram, bathed in the Chitraaru river, and performed tapas to the Lord here. The Lord appeared in front of Yudhishṭhira and gave him atonement for his sin of lying to Dronacharya.

Nam Āzhwār: 11 Pāsurams