I think, he will never fight if he hears that Ashvatthamari has been slain in battle. Let therefore some one tell him this falsehood that Ashvatthaman has been slai in battle.
अश्वत्थाम्न हते नैष युध्यदिति मतिर्मम) हतं तं संयुगे कश्चिदाख्यात्वस्मै मृषा नरः॥