Drona’s Birth and Early Life
The story of Drona begins with the extraordinary circumstances of his birth. He was born from the vitality (or semen) of Sage Bharadwaja, which spontaneously emerged and was stored in a drona (a container). Thus, the boy was named Drona. From the beginning, he was unique, destined to play a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the Kuru dynasty.
Drona was sent to the hermitage of Agniveshya, a learned Brahmana, to study the Vedas and warfare. There, he formed a deep friendship with Drupada, the son of King Brushadha of the Panchala kingdom. During their time as students, the two made a promise—an oath of lifelong friendship, pledging to share everything equally. This promise would later become a crucial point in the future conflict between Drona and Drupada.
Kripa and Kripi
Meanwhile, Kripa and his sister Kripi were found in the forest by King Shantanu, and they were brought up under his care. They were born from the vitality of Saradhwan, the son of Sage Gautama. Kripa grew up to become Kripacharya, a master of the Astras (divine weapons). His sister, Kripi, was later married to Drona, and they had a son named Ashwatthama, who neighed like a horse when he was born (hence the name, from Ashwa meaning horse).
Drona’s Poverty and Visit to Drupada
Despite his wisdom and prowess, Drona remained impoverished. One day, his son Ashwatthama cried for milk, something he had never tasted. His wife Kripi mixed rice flour with water to trick him into thinking it was milk. This poignant moment stirred Drona’s resolve to acquire wealth. He remembered his childhood friend Drupada, now the King of Panchala, and hoped to seek his assistance. However, upon arriving at Drupada’s court, Drona was met with disdain.
Drupada, now drunk with power, ridiculed Drona’s appeal for friendship and alms. He claimed that friendship could only exist between equals and offered charity instead of friendship. This humiliation planted the seeds of vengeance in Drona’s heart. He silently left the Panchala court, vowing to one day settle the score.
Training Under Parashurama
Seeking power, Drona approached the great warrior-sage Parashurama, who was known for having wiped out the Kshatriya race and had a vast knowledge of divine Astras. Unfortunately, by the time Drona met him, Parashurama had already given away all his worldly wealth. However, he offered Drona something more valuable—the knowledge and mastery of all the divine Astras. Drona accepted this gift, and with it, he became one of the most powerful warriors on earth, yet still without material wealth.
Drona in Hastinapura: The Rescue of the Princes
With newfound skills, Drona went to Hastinapura, where his brother-in-law Kripacharya resided. The Kuru princes, including the Pandavas and Kauravas, were of an age where they needed a martial instructor, so Drona hoped to take on the role of their teacher. When he arrived in the city, he found the princes attempting to retrieve a ball from a well, without success. In a demonstration of his extraordinary skill, Drona used blades of grass and arrows to retrieve both the ball and Yudhishtra’s ring, which had also fallen into the well.
The princes were amazed by this feat and invited Drona to meet Bhishma, their grand-sire. Recognizing Drona’s prowess, Bhishma immediately appointed him as the royal preceptor. Drona’s hermitage was established in the forest outside Hastinapura, and the Kuru princes, along with his son Ashwatthama, began their education under his tutelage.
The Education of the Princes
Under Drona’s guidance, each prince excelled in their respective fields. Bheema and Duryodhana mastered the mace, while Arjuna became Drona’s favorite and emerged as the most skilled archer. Arjuna’s devotion and dedication to his training set him apart from his brothers and cousins. Yudhishtra, true to his nature, focused on charioteering and leadership.
When their education neared its completion, Drona assembled his students and asked for a Guru Dakshina (fee). He set them a task that would allow him to take his revenge on Drupada.
The Demand for Guru Dakshina
Drona’s request for payment was no simple task—it involved defeating Drupada, the King of Panchala. None of the other princes could promise to accomplish this difficult feat, except for Arjuna, who swore to complete it, or die trying. This promise gladdened Drona’s heart, and thus began the seeds of the famous rivalry that would shape future events in the Mahabharata.
This story of Drona highlights several recurring themes in Hindu mythology, such as the deep connection between Guru and Shishya (teacher and disciple), the importance of loyalty and promises, and the inescapable force of karma. It also connects to several other important stories in Hindu mythology. Parashurama, for instance, is a recurring figure who taught many warriors, including Bhishma and Karna. The insult by Drupada and Drona’s thirst for revenge also directly leads to the birth of Draupadi, who becomes central to the conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas.
Drona’s life story is an integral part of the larger tapestry of the Mahabharata, showing how personal grudges, destiny, and duty are interwoven in shaping the course of events that lead to the epic war at Kurukshetra.