28. Drona's two favourite disciple - Arjun and Aswathama

As the princes made rapid progress, the fame of Dronacharya reached far and wide across countries and many princes and other worthy students from distant countries and land came flocking to Hastinapur to learn from the Acharya. Although the Master wanted to give more time to his son Aswathama, he was finding it difficult. With the rise in number of students, the problem was compounded. The Acharya then began giving special tasks to the princes to keep them engaged so that he could carve out some time to teach his son exclusively. However, these little tricks did not escape Arjun’s eyes. He somehow managed to finish all errands and be around his Master all the time. As a result, he received the all the lessons that his Guruputra Aswathama received. On the top of these, he also managed to learn something more by his sheer capability and by virtue of making his Master happy.

27. Dronacharya and Arjun

Dronacharya was a veteran teacher – he assessed the individual capabilities and imparted knowledge according to one’s ability to receive and absorb. His discerning eyes observed that out of the whole lot, Arjun was not only was immensely talented but also had an insatiable thirst for leaning and made use of every bit of the waking hours to develop his expertise. Once in the dead of the night the Acharya was surprised to hear the repeated sounds of bowstrings coming from the camp adjoining his house where the princes were lodged. Out of curiosity he followed the sound, reached the camp and discovered while other princes were deep asleep, Arjun was applying the bowstring in his arrow and pulling it in pitch darkness.

The next day on being questioned as to how he could handle the bow in the darkness of night, Arjun said: ‘Master, once in a dark night while eating the candle in my room was blown off by strong wind, but yet I could finish my food. At that time it struck me that though my eyes could not see a thing, my hands were never missing my mouth. Thus I realized practise could do wonders. Since then I have been working hard and I can now feel the bow as an extended arm of mine.’  Dronacharya was glad to hear his disciple.

26. Dronacharya begins to train the princes at Hastinapuri

On the first day as the Guru, Dronacharya was thronged by enthusiastic princes – both Kauravas and Pandavas.  Aswathama, the son of the master, was also one of the students. Before he began the lessons, the Master said: 

"Sons, I would teach you the best of warfare and make you most adept in handling of arms. One day you would make Hastinapur proud of your achievements. But before I begin your lessons, may I have an assurance from you all?"

The young princes were both curious and surprised. A silence descended. While they fixed their gazes on their new Guru's face, Dronacharya continued:

" I would love to have an assurance that you will give me the Gurudakshina" that I may ask from you at the end.- whatever that may be’ 

The silence that was breached by the Guru's solemn utterances  now returned. It was almost deafening now. Unsure of what their Master might ask of them, they began to exchange glances amongst themselves as if in search of a clue.  The Acharya seemed to have been greatly upset at the lack of response when Arjun came forward, touched his feet and said, 

" Sir, I promise I will do anything to give whatever you ask of me". 

Dronacharya spotted this prince and his eyes were filled with tears of joy. From that very moment he had singled out Arjun for special attention.

As preparatory to his larger plan, Dronacharya conducted proficiency tests for the princes and accordingly organized lessons for each. This was done to ensure all the princes had an acquaintance with all types of arms but each had special training in the handling of the weapon in which he had a knack or proficiency. Arjun showed great potential as an archer, Bhim and Duryodhan in the handling of maces,  and so on. Aswathama, the Master’s son, also displayed his potential in archery. The arms lesson thus began in earnest.

25. Pitamaha Bhisma appoints Dronacharya as the Guru of the princes

Bhisma was not only the greatest of the archers of his time; he was a consummate diplomat and politician. He had an espionage system that helped him track the important persons and events of his times. From the description that the young princes gave of the Master and his accomplishments he surmised the person could be none other than Dronacharya. Bhisma was well aware of Drona’s calibre and the illustrious masters including Sage Parashuram from whom Drona received his arms trainings. Incidentally, Bhisma himself was a disciple of Parashuram and the bond of having the same Guru interested him further to have Dronacharya in Hastinapuri. Without wasting time, he started for the place, greeted Dronacharya and respectfully offered him to be the principal arms teacher of the princes. Dronacharya was happy and he settled down at Hastinapuri with his family. From then on, a new leaf was turned into the lives of the young princes. Dronacharya with the assistance from Kripacharya started a process of 'man making' that would give the earth the finest breed of warriors in course of time. Dronacharya’s appointment in fact changed the entire complexion of Hastinapur in regard to its military might.

24. Dronacharya on the way to Hastinapuri

Humiliated by King Drupad right before a full royal court, the fire of revenge kept consuming Dronacharya. For few days, he was mulling next course of action. The diplomat in him suggested that his objective would be better served by using another powerful kingdom against the Panchals. And what could be better than Hastinapuri for this purpose, he reasoned. Without a doubt, that kingdom was the strongest on the earth. Besides, Kripacharya, his brother in law, was already the ‘Astra Guru’ of the princes there and he was respected by one and all in that country. He knew Kripacharya would only be too happy to see him there. So on one auspicious day, he set out for the capital of the Kauravas.

By the time he was in the vicinity of the city, the sun was in the mid sky. The entire brigade of princes, Kauravas and Pandavas, were out on an excursion in that place. They were playing with a metallic ball, which somehow escaped and fell into a deep well. The princes thronged the mouth of the well and trying various tricks to retrieve it without success. Dronacharya, who was passing by, observed their actions with curiosity. Seeing the princes discomfited and resigned, he provoked them – ‘Seems you have not learnt basics of archery. Can’t  take a simple ball out of a well?’ The princes felt humiliated but they had no fitting answer. A smart one quipped as a face-saver, ‘Sir, it is easy to say as you have. But can you do it yourself?’ At this the Master of archery smiled and said, ‘Just behold! See how easy the task is.’ Before the assembly of the curious princes the Acharya took a sharp-edged straw, and darted it inside the well. Surprisingly that straw pierced the ball. Then he shot another straw that  pierced the first one’s tail. Quickly he built a chain of straws and using the chain easily pulled   the ball out.’ This was the display of a sublime skill that left the princes dumbfounded. To their further astonishment now he threw a ring from his finger into the well and retrieved it by shooting an arrow. The princes had never seen anything so wonderful till then. Whereas few clung to the Acharya inquiring about his identity, the rest rushed to the grandfather Bhisma to recount the story.

23. Dronacharya leaves Drupad's court hurt, insulted

And, so Drona went on to remind Drupad of their past association. In the course, Drona reminded the king of the latter’s promise. The eyes of those present shone with interest on hearing Drona’s story. An irritated Drupad cut short Drona.and said –

‘You say we were close friends. Yet, I don’t recall any association. It does not befit a Brahmin to lie thus.’

Drona was left speechless at these words. Drupad continued –

‘You try to conjure imaginary friendship between the two of us only for your selfish interests. Hear me, O Brahmin, friendship is for two equals. Even if we were friends in our early days as you speak, that was okay then for we were equal as children. But, now I am the King of a huge empire and you are a penniless beggar trying to make money by sketching relationships. Ridiculous to claim any friendship between the two of us.’

Standing frozen, Drona could hear a couple of stifled laughs in the court. His heart was pounding, and blood gushing to his brain. Yet, he silently stood there as if the goddess of speech had forsaken him.

‘Had you come here as a beggar, I would have given you alms as befitting a Brahmin. You on the other hand, come here and tell me of your claim on half of the Panchal kingdom.’

On this Drona blurted out –

‘You have misunderstood .. I don’t ask for half ..’

‘There is no place for people like you in Panchal. Leave the court immediately and don’t bring such ideas into your mind any more’, Drupad cut him short.

His hands cold, eyes and ears shocked, Drona did not know how to react.

Surrounded by murmuring and chuckles in the court, the Brahmin walked out of the court. Drupad’s words fired the fuel of Drona’s honour and inflamed the fire of revenge.

21. King Drupad - a happy and contented man

The palace of King Drupad in Kampilyanagari looked stunning. His court was huge, and adorned with a number of great people from different spheres of life. Seated at his bejeweled crown, Drupad looked at the court and felt satisfied and happy. Most of his problems have passed away like bad dreams. His daughter turned son Shikhandi has groomed up as an excellent prince and warrior. He also got a pair of heavenly children – a son and a daughter from the sacred fire of the ‘Yajna’ – Dhristadumnya and Draupadi. They too were growing up nicely.  A successful king and administrator, he had handled his responsibilities- both royal and domestic- well, and his subjects were happy.

 He did not care to remember much of his past – his childhood, his education, his friends. The present was a comfortable and enjoyable time.

Way back, in his teens, while taking lessons on scripture and archery, he had a very good friend, Drona. Son of sage Bharadwaj, Drona was poor, but, exceptionally bright as a student. Drupad had found a faithful companion in him, who helped him throughout their childhood association. Driven by the spirit of deep friendship, Drupad once promised Drona half his kingdom after he would ascend the throne.