Dronacharya, a central figure in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata, is celebrated as a preeminent teacher and a skilled warrior. His character is intricately woven into the fabric of the epic, portraying the complexities of duty, morality, and the challenges a teacher faces in times of war.
Early Life and Lineage
| Father | Bharadwaja |
| Mother | Ghritachi (not born from her womb) |
| Wife | Kripi |
| Brother-in-law | Kripaacharya |
| Son | Ashwatthama |
| Person(s) Killed By Drona | Virata, Draupada |
| Killed by | Dhristadyumna |
| Other names | Bhaaradvaja, Bharadvaja’s son |
Birth of Drona
In ancient times, maharshi Bharadvaja was preparing to pour oblations into the fire. Bharadvaja went to the Ganga for a bath before making the offerings into the fire. The rishi saw the apsara Ghritachi herself bathing. The wind blew her garment away. At that, his semen issued out, which he placed in a vessel. The wise Drona (wooden vessel) was then born from that pot. Drona was a part of the illustrious devarshi Brihaspati. He studied all the Vedas and the Vedangas.
The powerful Bharadvaja taught the knowledge of the agneya weapon to the illustrious Agniveshya (the sage born from the fire). Agniveshya gave knowledge of the agneya weapon to Drona.
Marriage and Birth of Ashvatthama
Bharadvaja’s friend, King Prishata, had a son named Drupada, who grew up studying and playing with Drona. After Prishata’s death, Drupada became the king of northern Panchala. Following his father’s wishes and desiring a son, Drona married Kripi, the daughter of Sharadvan.
Kripi was devoted to dharma and gave birth to a son named Ashvatthama, who neighed like a horse at birth, earning him the name Ashvatthama (Ashva means horse and sthaman means strength or stamina). Drona was delighted with his son and continued to live with his family, honing his skills in Dhanur Veda.
Learnt Dhanur Veda from Parashurama
Parashurama, renowned for his valor, was giving away his wealth to Brahmanas when Drona approached him seeking riches; nothing was left of the gold or other riches. Parashurama, the son of Jamadagni, told Drona that he possessed only his body and many precious weapons. He offered to grant Drona’s request promptly.
Drona requested Parashurama to give him all his weapons and arms, particularly the knowledge of how to use and withdraw them. Parashurama agreed and handed over all his weapons, including the secrets of Dhanur Veda, to Drona. With this newfound knowledge, Drona became skilled in weaponry and went to meet his friend Drupada.
Drupada Rejects Drona’s Friendship
Drona, Bharadvaja’s son, approached Drupada, Prishata’s son, seeking recognition as his friend. Drupada rejects the idea of friendship with Drona, citing their differing statuses and lack of equality.
Drupada emphasized that true friendship must be based on similarity in wealth, lineage, and knowledge, highlighting their friendship has decayed over time.
Enraged by Drupada’s words, Drona left and pondered his next move, eventually heading to the Kurus’ chief city, Gajasahrya, to devise a plan for Panchala.
Drona’s Encounter with the Kuru Princes & Bhisma
Drona saw Kuru princes accidentally drop it into a well while playing with a wooden ball. Despite their efforts, they failed to retrieve it. Drona, observing their plight, uses his skills to retrieve the ball, impressing the princes successfully. They inquire about his identity and lineage and, upon his suggestion, approach Bhishma to seek further guidance. Recognizing Drona, Bhishma respects him and aims to understand the purpose of his visit.
Drona recounts his bond with Yajnasena (Drupada), the son of the Panchala king, forged during their studies under maharshi Agniveshya. Drupada had promised Drona that when he became the king, he would share his wealth and happiness with him.
Later, when Drupada became king of Panchala, Drona, now skilled in warfare, joyfully visited his friend, recalling his promise of sharing his riches. However, when Drona approached him seeking friendship, Yajnasena dismissed him, citing their differing statuses. This lead Drona to seek disciples in the land of the Kurus with the intention of humiliating Drupada.
Bhishma and Pandu’s Kauravas sons accepted Drona as their preceptor. With abundant riches, Bhishma formally handed over his grandsons to Drona as disciples. Delighted, Drona accepted the Kauravas and said to them, there is a special task in my heart. You must promise me that you will give it to me when you have become skilled in the use of arms.
While the Kauravas remained silent, Arjuna wholeheartedly promised to fulfill it, earning Drona’s affectionate embrace and tears of joy.
Drona instructed Pandu’s sons and many other princes in the use of various weapons, both human and divine. Additionally, he became the preceptor for the Vrishnis, Andhakas, kings from multiple realms, and Karna, the son of a charioteer.
Role as a Teacher and Mentor
Dronacharya’s journey from being a student to becoming a renowned teacher marked a significant phase in his life. He became the royal guru (teacher) of Hastinapura, entrusted with the responsibility of educating the princes of the Kuru dynasty. His teachings were about mastering archery and combat skills and included lessons on ethics, morality, and righteous conduct.
Dronacharya’s role as a mentor extended beyond the realms of the martial arts. He played a crucial part in shaping the characters of his students, guiding various aspects of life. Arjuna displayed immense devotion to his preceptor, Drona, and diligently learned the art of weaponry, becoming Drona’s favorite pupil. Arjuna’s nighttime practice drew Drona’s attention, who, impressed by his dedication, vowed to make him the finest archer.
Drona then instructed Arjuna in various combat techniques, including fighting from different platforms and using multiple weapons. Arjuna’s remarkable skills attracted many kings and princes who were eager to learn from Drona.
Under the mentorship of Drona, Kuru princes showed exceptional fighting abilities. Duryodhana and Bhima excel in fighting with clubs, while Ashvatthama masters secret weapons. Nakul and Sahadeva surpass others in swordsmanship, Yudhishthira excels in chariot warfare, and Arjuna is unparalleled in every weapon.
Arjuna’s devotion to his preceptor sets him apart, and he becomes an “atiratha,” (A maharatha is a warrior capable of facing 10,000 opponents alone, while an atiratha can confront 60,000 warriors single-handedly).
Eklavya’s Thumb: A Sacrificial Guru Dakshina
Ekalavya, the son of King Hiranyadhanu (the king of the Nishadas), approached Drona to learn archery. Despite his skills, Drona, mindful of societal norms, declined to accept him due to his low caste. Undeterred, Ekalavya went to the forest, made a clay image of Drona, and worshipped it as his preceptor. Due to his unwavering faith and dedication, he gained remarkable skills in archery.
During a hunting trip permitted by Drona, the Kurus, and Pandavas, skilled warriors, ventured into the forest accompanied by a servant and a dog. They wandered around in the forest, and their dog walked off the forest, got lost, and came upon the Ekalavya.
On seeing the dark nishada, the dog began to bark. Ekalavya displayed great dexterity when it kept barking and shot seven arrows into its mouth. The dog dashed back to the Pandavas, its mouth full of arrows. On seeing this dextrous feat of shooting blind (Shabdabheda), the brave Pandavas were extremely surprised and ashamed of their skills.
The Pandavas encountered the forest-dweller, Ekalavya, practicing archery tirelessly. Despite his unattractive appearance, they inquired about his identity. They learned that he was the son of Hiranyadhanu, king of the Nishadas, and claimed to be Drona’s student, aiming to master archery.
Deeply affected by Ekalavya’s exceptional archery skills, Arjuna approached Drona and questioned him about having another skilled pupil despite Drona’s promise that none of his pupils would surpass Arjuna. Drona, considering the matter, decided in response.
Drona and Savyasachi (Arjuna) visited Ekalavya in the forest. They found him deeply engaged in archery practice. Upon seeing Drona, Ekalavya respectfully bowed down, touching his feet with his head.
Drona told Ekalavya, “If you are my student, give me my fee.” Ekalavya, acknowledging Drona as his teacher, respectfully stood before him and expressed his willingness to offer anything as a fee. Drona then requested Ekalavya’s right thumb as his fee for archery training.
Ekalavya, true to his word and always devoted to truth, willingly severed his right thumb and gave it to Drona. Despite his sacrifice, he found himself less skilled when he tried to shoot arrows using his remaining fingers. Thus, Drona kept saying, “No one would surpass Arjuna in archery.”
The Capture of Drupada and Reconciliation
Drona, the preceptor, gathered his students and requested his fee (Guru Dakshina) to capture Drupada, the king of Panchala, and bring him as a captive. Eager to fulfill their teacher’s wish, the students, accompanied by Drona, armed themselves and launched an assault on Panchala. They successfully defeated Yajnasena Drupada and his forces, capturing the king and presenting him to Drona as Guru Dakshina.
Drona recalled their past animosity after witnessing Drupada’s defeat, and his kingdom plundered. He approached Drupada, offering reconciliation and proposing to revive their old friendship. Despite the destruction caused, Drona expressed his affection and memories of their childhood together. He granted Drupada half of his kingdom but retained the other half for himself, asserting that only a king could be a friend to another king. Drona assured Drupada of his safety and proposed to divide the kingdom along the Bhagirathi river, establishing a newfound friendship between them.
Upon hearing Drona’s proposal, Drupada responded graciously, expressing his willingness to befriend him and offering eternal happiness. Touched by Drupada’s words, Drona released him and restored half of his kingdom, honoring him with a joyful heart.
Drupada, devastated by his loss and living in the capital of Kampilya in the region of Makandi along the Ganga river, ruled over the southern part of Panchala. Despite his position, he found no peace due to his unresolved enmity with Drona. Recognizing his inferiority in Kshatriya strength compared to Drona’s Brahmana power, Drupada awaited the birth of a son, hoping for a solution. Meanwhile, Drona resided in Ahichhatra, acquired through battle by Arjuna and handed over to him.
Major Sayings and Philosophical Insights
Dronacharya’s discourses in the Mahabharata are imbued with wisdom and ethical principles. Some of his major sayings include:
On the Nature of Education:
“Education is the key to unlocking one’s potential. A true teacher imparts knowledge with love, patience, and the understanding that each student is unique.”
Dronacharya emphasizes the transformative power of education and a teacher’s role in nurturing each student’s individuality.
On the Purpose of Martial Arts:
“Martial arts are not meant for aggression but for self-defense and upholding righteousness. A warrior’s skills should be used in the service of dharma.”
Dronacharya underscores the ethical dimensions of martial arts, highlighting the importance of using one’s skills for the greater good.
On Discipline and Practice:
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. Regular practice, dedication, and a disciplined mind are the keys to success in any endeavor.”
Dronacharya’s teachings stress the significance of discipline and consistent effort in achieving excellence.
On Humility:
“A true warrior is not defined by arrogance but by humility. The more one learns the more one realizes the vastness of knowledge and the need for humility.”
Dronacharya encourages his students to cultivate humility, recognizing that pursuing knowledge is a lifelong journey.
Rules of Dronacharya’s Gurukul
Dronacharya’s Gurukul (school) was not merely a place for martial training but a center for holistic education. The rules of his Gurukul reflected his commitment to shaping well-rounded individuals with a solid moral compass:
- Equality in Education: Dronacharya ensured that education was imparted without discrimination. Regardless of a student’s background or lineage, everyone was given an equal opportunity to learn and excel.
- Focus on Character Building: Beyond the physical aspects of training, Dronacharya emphasized character-building significantly. He instilled values such as honesty, integrity, and compassion in his students.
- Respect for Nature: Dronacharya encouraged his students to respect and connect with nature. The Gurukul was often situated in serene surroundings, fostering a sense of harmony between the students and their natural environment.
- Code of Conduct: Dronacharya established a code of conduct that emphasized respect for elders, humility, and adherence to dharma. The Gurukul was not just a training ground for warriors but a place where future leaders imbibed principles of ethical governance.
Role in the Kurukshetra War
Conflicting emotions and ethical dilemmas mark Dronacharya’s role in the Kurukshetra War. Despite his deep affection for his favorite disciple, Arjuna, Dronacharya fought on the side of the Kauravas due to his allegiance to Hastinapura. His unwavering loyalty to the throne and his sense of duty as a teacher led him to participate in the war against the Pandavas.
One of the most poignant moments in the Mahabharata is Dronacharya’s tragic death. Manipulated by a deceptive strategy, he faced a moral quandary when told of his son Ashwatthama’s death. Dronacharya, unable to bear the sorrow, lost the will to fight.
भवेत् सत्यं न वक्तव्यं वक्तव्यमनृतं भवेत्।
यन्नानृतं भवेत् सत्यं सत्यं वा अनृतं भवेत्।।
When Bhimsena accuses Drona of not upholding Dharma, being ignorant, and acting like a fool, Drona casts aside his bow and weapons. Seizing the opportunity, Dhristadyumna killed Dronaacharya, and managed to severe the head from body.
Legacy
Dronacharya’s legacy symbolizes wisdom, integrity, and the intricate balance between duty and personal emotions. His teachings continue to inspire generations, emphasizing the holistic development of individuals and the ethical use of knowledge and skills. Dronacharya’s character in the Mahabharata is a timeless archetype of a devoted teacher, leaving an indelible mark on India’s epic narrative and cultural ethos.