Why did Yudhishthira's chariot go down to the ground during the Mahabharata?

Before I answer the question, a little backdrop.

Yudhisthira Maharaja is Dharmaraja, the eldest of Pandu and Kunti’s sons. He is said to be an expansion, or partial incarnation of Yamaraja himself. So was Vidura. How’s that possible? Transcendental technology!

The beauty of the baud got nothing on this!

Dronacharya, the Guru of the Pandavas, was a very learned and liberal brahmana. Don’t let the Eklavya fans fool you. The preceptor accepted and trained Drishtadyumna, son of his once-friend-turned-nemesis Drupada, father of Mother Draupadi. Dronacharya was well aware that Drishtadyumna, born from a sacrificial fire, was destined to kill him. He’d heard the prophecies. Yet, he did not hesitate in the slightest to ensure Drishtadyumna was trained in all the martial arts, including usage of cosmic weapons, when the latter approached him.

Now, as I mentioned Dronacharya was very liberal. He did not hesitate to speak the truth or do the right thing, even if it meant his own life at stake. Dronacharya was not only a great great teacher, but also an unconquerable warrior. After Grandfather Bhishma fell, Dronacharya was responsible for leading the Kauravas in battle against the Pandavas, and he wreaked havoc amongst the Pandava ranks.

So, the Pandavas in all humility, approached the preceptor and asked him if there was any way to avoid this carnage. Was there any way for them to defeat Dronacharya? Dronacharya, ever pleased with the humility of the Pandavas, and always their well-wisher inspite of fighting for the Kauravas, revealed that he could not be defeated in battle as long as he held his weapons in his arms. He had a boon. However, Dronacharya assured them that a time would come, when somebody trustworthy would deliver extremely distressful news to him, and he would then lay down his weapons and fight no more.

There, now you’ve got the backdrop.

On the 15th day of the battle, Dronacharya was decimating the Pandava forces once again. He was unstoppable. However, Krsna had had enough! It was time to stop the preceptor for good. And so, Krsna reminded the Pandavas of Drona’s special boon, and he asked them to spread the rumour that Ashwathama is dead! The Pandavas hesitated, especially Maharaja Yudhisthira. Bhima however, wasted no time. The mighty Bhima, endowed with the strength of ten thousand elephants, and whose roar could break the nerves of entire armies, immediately went about making this happen. The first thing Bhima did - he killed an elephant named Ashwathama! Brilliant!

As soon as Ashwathama the elephant, fell dead on the ground, Bhima began to roar in jubilation - ‘Ashwathama is dead! Ashwathama is dead! …’

The news caught on, and reached the ears of Dronacharya, fighting not too far away from the Pandavas battle location. He immediately made his way towards the Pandavas, and challenged Bhima’s claims. Dronacharya wasn’t going to fall to rumour. Bhima wasn’t trustworthy anyways. However, he had to confirm, if it was true or not. Ashwathama, his son was very dear to him. And so, seeing Maharaja Yudhisthira, he made his way to the eldest Pandava and asked him, if what Bhima proclaimed was true.

‘O scion of the Kuru dynasty, O most virtuous King Yudhisthira, O embodiment of righteousness and truth, tell me - is what Bhima says, true?’, pleaded Dronacharya, a little anxious and flustered. Dronacharya had implicit faith in Yudhisthira, and he awaited the response.

Maharaja Yudhisthira replied, ‘O most respected and honourable Guru, please accept my obeisances. Yes, Ashwathama is dead’.

And immediately as Yudhisthira spoke these words, Krsna blew His conchshell Pancajanya, and all of a sudden there was a thunderous roar and celebration in the Pandava camp. Cleverly played by Krsna, for it drowned out what Yudhisthira spoke next, ‘Ashwathama the elephant, is dead’.

But the damage was done. Dronacharya laid down his weapons, and Drishtadyumna, seizing advantage of the situation much to everyone’s horror, severed his head.

However, it is said Drona could see the great sages encircle above and tell him it’s time for him to return, and by the dint of his own yogic power he’d already left his body, before the absolutely condemnable act of Drishtadyumna.

And so, we arrive at the point of this question - why did Yudhisthira’s chariot touch the ground?

As I mentioned earlier, Yudhisthira Maharaja is Dharamaraja, most pious. In fact, he was so pious that his chariot always flew four fingers above the ground. And therefore, as soon as Yudhisthira said, ‘Ashwathma the elephant, is dead’, his chariot touched the ground.

Now, here’s the interesting part. I’d like to ask you all, why d’ya think that is? And I’m sure, the common and reasonable answer is that because Yudhisthira lied, right? The incarnation of the Lord of Justice and Death, lied and so his chariot lost its divine flight. Wouldn’t you agree?

Actually, I wouldn’t.

This question is revelatory. It can help distinguish the moralists and religionists from the transcendentalists and devotees, or those who go beyond the Vedas, respectfully, with the help of the Vedas.

Maharaja Yudhisthira’s chariot touched the ground, not because he seemingly lied to the preceptor, but because he did not follow Krsna’s instruction, and chose instead to side with mundane morality. Yudhisthira tried telling Dronacharya the truth, which Krsna cleverly muted out. But this is exactly what made a dent on his divinity, NOT the so-called lie to Dronacharya.

The bottom line is - whatever Krsna does or says is the truth! The Lord is Truth! We are not, and nor are our logical propositions or common understandings, the truth! What Krsna says is good and final! What Krsna says is the highest rung on the ladder of religion! Period! End of Story! Krsna IS morality!

tatraiva sri-bhagavad-vakyam

man-nimittam krtam papam api dharmaya kalpate
mam anadrtya dharmo 'pi papam syan mat prabhavatah

In the Padma Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead said, “If one sins for My sake, his sins become pious deeds. And If one refuses to worship Me, then by My power his pious deeds become sins."

It is also said in the Padma Purana -

arir mitram visham pathyam adharmo dharmataam vrajet
su-prasanne hrsikese viparite viparyayah

When Lord Krsna is pleased, enemies can become friends, poison can become healthy food, sin can become saintliness. Everything can become its opposite.

So, now you know what to do - Krsna! Nrsimha! Rama! Go to Gauuuuuuuuuuuuuranga!