DRONACHARYA

In the epic Mahābhārata, Drona or Dronacharya was the royal guru to the Kauravas and Pandavas. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the Devāstras. Arjuna was his favorite student.

One day the Kauravas and the Pandavas went into the forest to play.The golden ball which with they were playing quite accidentally fell into a deep well. The water in the well was clear as crystal, and all the Princes gathered round the well and were gazing at the ball which was shining in the transparent waters. As the eldest Yudhisthira was asked to try to get the golden ball out of the well but when he tried, his golden ring studded with diamonds fell into the well. However just at that time a Brahman carrying a quiver of arrows and a bow came to the spot followed by his child and wife. He accosted the Princes with a smile and asked them why they were staring at the ball and the ring so helplessly. He said, "Worthy Princes of the Bharatha dynasty, as Kshatriyas destined to rule over this great country, you should get the golden ball out of the well with your skill in archery. Don't you know the use of bow and arrow?" All the Princes said tumultuously that they knew the art of archery but did not know that archery can be effectively used at the juncture.

The Brahman who was in rugged clothes drew out the arrows from his quiver and shot at the ball in quick succession, each arrow sticking to its back of the forerunner. Thus the apparently poor Brahman took out the golden ball and handed it over the princes. Then Yudhisthira wanted his ring to be taken out. The Brahman took a blade of grass from the ground and sent it into the well chanting the mantras and the diamond ring came jumping out of the well straight to the finger of Yudhisthira. The Princes were immensely pleased and Yudhisthira said, "Revered Brahman, please come with us and I will arrange a good meal for all of you in the house of our teacher, Kripacharya." Drona followed the Princes with profuse smiles as his destination was the same as proposed by Yudhisthira.


Kripi, the sister of Kripacharya, was the wife of Drona. So there was need of the offices of Yudhisthira for securing a good meal. However the innate nobility and hospitality of Yudhisthira impressed Drona who always had a special and soft corner for the Princes. The Princes were not willing to leave him and said, " Revered Sir we salute you for your greatness. Who are you? We want to introduce you to Bhishma, our Pitamaha." The Brahman said, "Please go to him and ask who I am. It is not proper that I should speak about myself." The Princes went to Bhishma and narrated the incredible feats of archery performed by the poor Brahman. Immediately Bhishma knew that it was none else than the renowned master of archery, Drona. At once the royal invitation was extended to Drona who was ushered in Bhishma's presence with the usual state honours, his fame having reached the destination earlier. Bhishma could visualize the personality of Drona in his mind earlier and it exactly tallied with that image. Drona was neither stout nor slender, neither aged nor young. His hair over his head was neither grey nor black, his bearing neither self complacent nor overcautious and his radiant eyes were beacons of illuminations in spite of his impoverished subjected to under-nourishment inspiring instantaneous respect. In short, he appeared to Bhishma as a living justification of the great reputation with which his name was surrounded.

Bhishma offered the chair next to his seat and requested Drona to be the teacher of the Princes of the royal family. "Great Brahman," the Pitamaha said, "these Princes were learning the use of arms and archery from the revered Kripacharya. We are in search of a teacher for further education. It is our good fortune that brought you here. My conception of education is 'Inspiration first and instruction next'. Fortunately all the Princes have already been inspired by you. I formally request that you may be gracious enough to accept the assignment." Drona accepted the offer with thanks. Kripacharya was overjoyed that he was saved from the embarrasement of recommending his own brother-in-law to the coveted post.

Bhishma was happy that he could secure not only a great preceptor for the Princes but also a worthy friend with whom he could share his ideals and experiences. Soon both became staunch associates who stood by each other through thick and thin, weal and woe, till their death. The Princes, the Kauravas as well as the Pandavas accepted Drona as their preceptor, with all their hearts and souls and very soon the terms Acharya, Guru or preceptor became synonymous with the proper noun Drona, who was acclaimed as the ideal teacher of his times. He gave higher initiation to all, bestowing individual care. Arjuna excelled all others in archery and he became a favourite of Drona though he bestowed the same attention to every one. The warm reception which Drona got at the worthy hands of Bhishma was in sharp contrast to the treatment meted out to him by Draupada earlier. Before coming to Hastinapura Drona had a chequered career.

Drona and Draupada, the Panchala Prince, were classmates and learnt the art of archery at the hermitage of Bharadvaja. Eventually Draupada became the king of Panchala while Drona continued to be a poor Brahman. Of course a true Brahman of those days was not expected to possess any private property. But Drona was married and begot a son named Asvatthama. When the sons of rich people were drinking milk, Asvatthama craved for milk and began to cry and Drona did not possess the money to buy a cow. He expected that he could get any number of cows just for mere asking if he the king Draupada his friend and classmate of his boyhood days could help. So he went to Kampilya the capital of king Panchala. Drona tried to introduce himself to Draupada as his friend. But the proud king disclaimed any knowledge of the poor Brahman and Drona was aked to get out unceremoniously. The wounded pride of Drona was smarting under humiliation and longed for revenge. But the need of the hour was to look after Asvatthama. Drona badly needed money but he was reluctant to approach another king. He heard about Parasurama and his reputation for philanthrophy.

Drona approached Parasurama who said sweetly and very politely, "I have given away to Kasyapa all the land I have conquered and donated all my possessions to the needy Brahmans. Now that all the wealth that has remained with me is the wealth of my learning and erudition in archery." Drona bowed to Parasurama for giving him the best lesson of his life and said, "Please teach me the esoteric achery and give me the great Astras." Parasurama imparted the knowledge of the great Astras in detail to Drona and blessed him. Drona was very happy with Parasurama and thanked him for the lessons he had taught him. Bhishma and Drona were both disciples of Parasurama and the common bond cemented their friendship. Drona wanted to wreak vengeance on Draupada who was the traditional enemy of the Kuru kingdom. So Drona imparted education to the Kuru-Pandava Princes with a vested interest as well. Drona's fame as a great teacher spread far and wide like a wild fire. The poor Brahman, once unrecognized by the proud Panchala king Draupada, became the royal preceptor of the Bharatha race and was able to bring up his son, Asvatthama as a Prince. All the Princes acquired commendable skill in the art of archery. Bhima and Duryodhana in spite of their pronounced predilection for mace, practiced the art of archery and attained remarkable proficiency in wielding the bow as well.

All the Princes with varying degrees of proficiency were well versed in the art of archery. The bow became the fashion of the day and passion of the times because of the magical influence exercised by the great master Dronacharya. Among the Princes Arjuna had an additional advantage, he possessed real aptitude for the bow. It was a labout of love for Arjuna and he practiced the art outside the school hours as well. By persistent practice and patient perseverance Arjuna was able to send forth arrows using both the hands. So he was known as "Savyasachi," the ambidexter of his times. One day as Arjuna was taking his meals the lights were off because of a sudden gale but he could continue eating in the darkness by sheer force of habit, Arjuna extended the analogy to archery and to the delight of his Acharya practiced it in the nights as well. Eventually he acquired the capacity to hit the target blindfolded. Drona was very much pleased with Arjuna who was practicing archery with diligence and dexterity and said to him privately, "I have great hopes in you and you alone. I will make you the greatest archer of our times." Arjuna bowed to Drona prostrating himself at his feet and secured his renewed blessings.