The Life and Legacy of Dronacharya: Guru of the Pandavas and Kauravas
About the Character
The guru of the Pandav and Kaurav princes was Dronacharya. Formerly known as Dron, he was the son of Brahmarshi Bharadvaj. After Dron became a teacher, he acquired the title acharya, which means "teacher". He taught the Pandavas and Kauravas martial arts like archery, sword fighting, and horse riding.
A Prince's Promise: The Tale of Dron and Drupad
Young Dron and Drupad, the prince of Panchal, studied at the same ashram and were good friends.
"I will give you half my kingdom when I am crowned king," the young prince promised Dron.
The Broken Promise: Dron's Betrayal by King Drupad
Dron married Kripi (Kripacharya's twin sister) and had a son named Ashwatthama. But Dron was so poor that he could not afford milk for his young son. He remembered his old friend, Drupad, who had then become the King of Panchal. He arrived at Drupad's court and reminded the king of his word of honor. But King Drupad pretended not to recognize him.
"Friendship can only be between equals," the king said arrogantly. "An impoverished Brahmin and a king can never be friends. I don't recall promising anyone half my kingdom. But since you have come here, I will provide free board and lodging for one night."
Dron was deeply offended; he declined Drupad's meager offer and returned home.
The Well of Opportunity: Dronacharya's Rise
After being turned down by King Drupad, Dron decided to earn money by becoming a guru. One day, the young Pandavas and Kauravas were playing with a ball. The ball fell into a well, and they could not retrieve it. Just then, Dron happened to be passing by.
"How come you boys cannot perform such a simple task?" he scoffed.
The princes asked him if he could do the same.
"I can retrieve both the ball and the ring I'm wearing," boasted Dron.
He promptly removed his ring from his finger and threw it into the well. He then broke a few leaves of grass and chanted some mantras. The blades of grass attached themselves end-to-end. He threw one end of the grass rope into the well. The ball stuck to it, and he pulled the ball out. He then fired an arrow into the well, which came out with the ring. The princes were mesmerized by Dron's skill and requested him to become their guru. Dron agreed and was thenceforth known as Dronacharya.
The Archer's Eye: Arjun's Test of Focus
Dronacharya decided to conduct an archery test for the Pandavas and Kauravas. He hung a bird-shaped doll from a tree branch, and the task was to shoot the doll's eye with an arrow. He called the Pandavas individually and ordered them to aim their bow and arrow at the doll's eye. Dronacharya commanded them to fire only after they told him what they saw. Yudhishthir said he could see the entire tree, birds, the bow, the arrow, and his hand. Upon this, Dronacharya asked him to leave. He then summoned Duryodhan and, subsequently, several other princes and asked them what they saw. They all gave responses similar to Yudhishthir's. He finally summoned Arjun.
Arjun nocked his arrow and said, "I can see only the eye of the bird-shaped doll."
The guru told him to shoot, and the arrow hit its target. Arjun thus became Dronacharya's favorite disciple.
The Guru's Revenge: Drupad's Capture
After their training was complete, the Pandavas and Kauravas asked Dronacharya what he wanted as guru dakshina from them.
"Travel to Panchal, bind King Drupad, and bring him to me alive," Dronacharya commanded them.
The Kauravas and the Pandavas immediately set out for the Kingdom of Panchal. Although the Kauravas could not confront the mighty Panchal troops, the Pandavas fared better. Arjun bound King Drupad and presented him to Dronacharya.
The Cycle of Vengeance: Dronacharya's Triumph and Drupad's Vow
The guru reminded Drupad of his statement that friendship can only be between equals.
"I am your equal now, and your kingdom is mine," said Dronacharya. "Your life is now in my hands, but I will spare it based on our old friendship. I will also return half your kingdom to you."
A humiliated Drupad vowed revenge. He begot a son, Dhrishtadyumna, who would avenge his humiliation at the hands of Dronacharya.
Dronacharya's Reign: The Invincible Commander of the Kaurav Army
During the Mahabharat war, after the fall of Bheeshma, Dronacharya was appointed the commander-in-chief of the Kaurav army. He killed thousands of Pandav soldiers and seemed invincible.
Krishna's Deception: The False Death of Ashwatthama
Lord Krishna hatched a conspiracy to kill Dronacharya by deceit. Following Krishna's orders, Bheem killed an elephant named Ashwatthama and yelled, "I have killed Ashwatthama."
Dronacharya thought Bheem was referring to his son, Ashwatthama.
The Half-Truth That Felled a Warrior: Yudhishthir's Fateful Words
Dronacharya asked Yudhishthir if Ashwatthama was dead. Yudhishthir, who had never uttered a lie until then, answered yes but hastened to clarify. But the Pandav army blew conches and trumpets so loudly that they drowned out his remaining words. Dronacharya was transfixed with shock, and Dhrishtadyumna used the opportunity to behead him.
A Son's Vengeance: Ashwatthama's Vow
When Ashwatthama learned that his father, Dronacharya, had been treacherously killed, he was devastated. He vowed to avenge Dronacharya's death by killing Dhrishtadyumna.