Dronacharya: The Teacher of Heroes.The exceptional warrior and teacher from the Mahabharata.Explore his rise to fame, the rivalry between his star pupil Arjuna and his own son Ashwatthama, and the moral dilemmas he faced in the Kurukshetra war.
Who is this Dronacharya ?
Drona was the son of Sage Bharadwaja. He was married to Kripi, the sister of Kripacharya ( the family Guru of the Kuru clan). He had a son by name Ashwathama who also plays a very important in the story.Before his marriage to Kripi, during his Gurukul days, he studied with Drupada, the Prince of Panchala. Since their friendship was very strong, Drupada promised to give half of his kingdom to Drona once he becomes the King of Panchala. Drona was very poor and so after his marriage, he decided to approach Drupada . But Drupada turned him away after insulting him. Drona would be very humiliated and decided to seek revenge some time.
One day, Drona came to know that Parashurama was giving away his wealth to poor and needy. But as soon as he reached Parashurama, all his wealth was already given away. So Drona asked Parashurama for all his divine Astras ( weapons ) and knowledge of warfare. Parashurama agreed and gladly gave them. With these astras and knowledge, Drona became as valiant as Parashurama himself.
How Dronacharya Becomes Guru Of Pandavas and Kauravas
Coming back to our search for a Guru – One day the Pandavas were playing with each other and their ball fell into the well and could not be taken out. Drona came that way and told the Pandavas that he can help take the ball out of the well. He took some blades of grass and with just these blades, took the ball out. The Pandavas were astonished. Soon Bheeshma heard about this incident and realized it to be the Great Dronacharya and appointed him as the teacher for the Kuru Princes.
Gurukul thus started for the Princes. Ashwathama became friends with Duryodhana and the Kauravas. In the Gurukul, there were many interesting stories to narrate. Drona, one day kept a toy bird in a tree and asked the Princes to shoot an arrow right at the bird’s eye. While aiming, he asked everyone what they saw. Everyone replied that they saw everything around – the tree , the surrounding. But Arjuna said that he saw only the bird’s eye. Drona asked only Arjuna to shoot and he shot the bird at the right spot.
In another incident, Drona got captured by a crocodile and rescued by Arjuna. Drona as a token of appreciation, gifted Arjuna the Divine Brahmastra. Soon Arjuna became Drona’s favourite pupil and Drona promised to make him the greatest archer in the world.
Eklavya: Talent & Sacrifice
- While Eklavya practiced archery with immense focus, a dog started barking continuously nearby. This barking disrupted Eklavya’s concentration and hindered his practice.
A Show of Skill:
- To regain focus and demonstrate his exceptional archery skills honed through dedication, Eklavya fired multiple arrows. These arrows skillfully lodged themselves in the dog’s mouth, preventing it from barking further, but without harming the animal.
Dronacharya’s Discovery:
- This display of remarkable archery led Dronacharya to discover Eklavya practicing in the forest. Dronacharya was astonished by Eklavya’s talent, especially considering he had never formally trained him.
Eklavya’s Devotion: Offering a Thumb for Archery Wisdom
The Determined Prince:
- Eklavya, a young prince from the Nishada tribe, a group considered below the Kshatriya (warrior) caste, dreamt of becoming a skilled archer.
Longing for Knowledge:
- Dronacharya, the renowned warrior and teacher, was reluctant to take Eklavya as a student due to his caste. However, Eklavya’s determination was unwavering.
A Student’s Devotion:
- Undeterred by rejection, Eklavya fashioned a statue of Dronacharya and practiced archery relentlessly, using leaves as targets and visualizing Dronacharya instructing him.
Unearthing the Truth:
- One day, Dronacharya stumbled upon Eklavya practicing in the forest. He was astonished by Eklavya’s exceptional skills, surpassing even his own students.
The Price of Knowledge:
- Dronacharya, surprised to learn Eklavya wasn’t his student, demanded a gurudakshina (teacher’s fee) – Eklavya’s right thumb, the very finger crucial for archery.
A Sacrifice for Passion:
- Eklavya, without hesitation, severed his thumb as a token of respect for his teacher and his unwavering desire for knowledge.
Legacy of Dedication:
- Deeply moved by Eklavya’s devotion and sacrifice, Dronacharya, though unable to take him as a student due to social norms, blessed Eklavya with future success.
The gurudakshina (teacher’s fee) given by the Pandavas and Kauravas to their teacher, Dronacharya
The gurudakshina (teacher’s fee) given by the Pandavas and Kauravas to their teacher, Dronacharya, is a pivotal moment in the Mahabharata. Here’s a breakdown of the event:
Dronacharya’s Desire:
- Dronacharya, a skilled warrior and Brahmin by birth, agreed to teach the princes martial arts under one condition – a gurudakshina. He desired a powerful weapon called the Nārāyanāstra, possessed by Drupada, the king of Panchala. Dronacharya held a grudge against Drupada from their younger days.
The Challenge:
- This specific weapon became the target for the gurudakshina. Dronacharya knew defeating Drupada and capturing the weapon would be a formidable task, but it would also serve as a valuable training exercise for his students.
The Battle:
- After years of training, Dronacharya led the Kaurava and Pandava princes into battle against Drupada’s army. The ensuing conflict was fierce, with Arjuna, Dronacharya’s most skilled student, showcasing his exceptional archery skills.
Dronacharya’s Demand for Gurudakshina
Upon completing the training of his students, Dronacharya asked for his gurudakshina—a teacher’s fee—from the Pandavas and the Kauravas. He demanded that they capture Drupada and bring him to Drona, thereby avenging his insult.
The Attempt by the Kauravas
The Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, were the first to attempt to fulfill Drona’s demand. They marched towards Panchala with a large army, confident in their strength and numbers. However, Drupada was a formidable warrior, and his army was well-prepared. The Kauravas were soundly defeated and forced to retreat.
The Pandavas’ Victory
The Pandavas, led by Arjuna, then took up the challenge. Accompanied by his brothers Bhima, Yudhishthira, Nakula, and Sahadeva, Arjuna devised a strategic plan to capture Drupada.
Strategic Approach: Arjuna’s strategy involved a coordinated attack. Bhima, known for his immense strength, led the frontal assault, engaging Drupada’s forces directly. The other Pandavas supported Bhima, weakening the Panchala forces and creating an opening for Arjuna.
Arjuna’s Prowess: Utilizing his exceptional skills in archery and combat, Arjuna targeted key warriors in Drupada’s army, causing disarray and confusion. His precise and rapid attacks demoralized the Panchala soldiers.
Capture of Drupada: In the midst of the chaos, Arjuna, with his unparalleled agility and focus, fought his way through to Drupada. Despite Drupada’s valor, he was overpowered by Arjuna’s skill and determination. Arjuna captured Drupada alive and brought him to Drona.
Dronacharya’s Reaction
Dronacharya, upon receiving Drupada as a prisoner, was pleased with his disciples, especially Arjuna. He reminded Drupada of their earlier friendship and the insult he had endured. However, Drona’s intention was not to kill Drupada but to teach him a lesson. He released Drupada but took half of his kingdom, thus reasserting his superiority and fulfilling his vow of revenge.
Drupada, although humiliated, accepted his fate and returned to his remaining kingdom. This incident, however, sowed the seeds of enmity between Drupada and the Pandavas, leading to further developments in the Mahabharata. Drupada would later perform a great yajna (sacrifice) to obtain a son capable of defeating Drona, leading to the birth of Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi.
Symbolism and Lessons
This episode highlights several important themes:
- Duty and Obedience: The Pandavas, especially Arjuna, exemplify the duty and obedience expected from students towards their teacher.
- Revenge and Forgiveness: Dronacharya’s actions reflect the complexity of human emotions, balancing revenge with forgiveness.
- Valor and Strategy: Arjuna’s victory underscores the importance of strategy, skill, and bravery in overcoming formidable challenges.
The capture of Drupada by Arjuna and the subsequent events are pivotal in the Mahabharata, showcasing the intricate interplay of personal relationships, duty, and the pursuit of dharma (righteousness).
