Mahabharath is one classic epic with all kinds of examples. I have personally liked Rama only because Krishna himself is a very confusing protagonist. Why was the necessity for him to steal butter.. making him a thief!! Why dance behind girls and marry so many... portraying him as a flirt and why cook plots to make the Pandavas win by devious means ?? I actually know most of the answers, but its not very easy to understand his intentions. At least i can't. All i can say is it was done for "Loka Kalyanam" meaning for the benefit of the world. Here's a small story, one picked from the war phase of Mahabharath. Its story time, please pick a pillow, hug it and stay tight...!!
Drona was one fierce warrior. He was blessed, knowledgeable and a great teacher for the Kauravas and Pandavas. He was on the side of Kauravas during the Kurukshetra. He had a son who he loved dearly, by name Ashwathamma who was a chiranjeevi, meaning one who would never die. Drona was a powerful warrior who slayed thousand of Pandava soldiers. He was not ready to put down his arms at any cost. It was almost two weeks since the war had begun and it was up to to Krishna now to devise a plan..... but how to stop such a deadly person on the battle ground and make him throw away all the ammunition's and give then time to kill him?? Krishna suggested that if Drona learns that his son is in danger then he would definitely stop the battle. But why would he believe if someone said Ashwathamma is in danger? So if Yudhistr, the truthful and most righteous Pandava said it then Drona would definitely fall for it. But true to his qualities, Yudhistr wouldn't lie.
For this plan to take action, Bhim went in search of and finally found an elephant by name Ashwathamma. They all agreed that, Bhim would kill the elephant and Yudhistr would shout out Ashwathamma's name loud and Drona would fall for this trickery. Yudhistr was however a little uncomfortable with this folly and the lord convinced him that all is was for world's benefit; for the war to come to an end such actions become inevitable. He suggests him to mention "the elephant" in a soft tone, to which he agreed.
As per plan, Bhim killed the huge elephant and Yudhistr shouted loudly "Ashwathamma Hathah... " and softly said "Kunjarah". Drona, knowing the fact that his son was a chiranjeevi was mislead on hearing this from Yudhistr. He went into a state of shock and disbelief and sat down mourning his sons death. Seizing the right opportunity Arjuna Dhristadhyumna aimed an arrow at Drona thus killing him.
P.S: "Ashwathamma hathah kunjarah" means "the elephant Ashwathamma is killed".
