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'''Droṇa''' ({{lang-sa|द्रोण|Droṇa}}), also referred to as '''Dronacharya''' ({{lang-sa|द्रोणाचार्य|Droṇācārya}}), was royal [[preceptor]] to the [[ | '''Droṇa''' ({{lang-sa|द्रोण|Droṇa}}), also referred to as '''Dronacharya''' ({{lang-sa|द्रोणाचार्य|Droṇācārya}}), was royal [[preceptor]] to the [[Kaurava]]s and [[Pandava]]s. He was a friend of [[Guru Sukracharya]], the [[guru]] of [[Asura]]s, including [[Mahabali]]. He was the son of the sage [[Bharadwaja]] and a descendant of the sage [[Angiras (sage)|Angirasa]]. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the divine weapons or [[Astra (weapon)|Astras]]. He was also the second commander-in-chief of kaurava army from 11th day to 15th day. He failed 4 times in capturing [[Yudhisthira]] (11th, 12th day, 14th day when [[Arjuna]] was busy fighting to kill [[Jayadratha|Jaydratha]] and 14th night. He was beheaded by [[Dhrishtadyumna]] when he was meditating to release his soul on the battlefield.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}} | ||
==Birth and | ==Birth and early life== | ||
On a river side, Bharadwaja saw an [[apsara]] named [[Ghritachi]]. He was filled with desire and his seed fell into a pot or basket. Inside it, a baby boy developed who was named Drona as he was born in a pot.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp076.htm Vishnu Purana -Drauni or Asvathama as Next saptarishi] Retrieved 2015-02-15</ref>{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}} | On a river side, Bharadwaja saw an [[apsara]] named [[Ghritachi]]. He was filled with desire and his seed fell into a pot or basket. Inside it, a baby boy developed who was named Drona as he was born in a pot.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp076.htm Vishnu Purana -Drauni or Asvathama as Next saptarishi] Retrieved 2015-02-15</ref>{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}} | ||
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===Drona's Insult=== | ===Drona's Insult=== | ||
Once, Drona's son [[Ashwatthama]] was playing with his friends. His friends were drinking milk and he wanted to drink it too. But his friends mixed flour with water and gave it to him. This enraged Drona and he remembered [[Drupada|Drupada's]] promise. He went to Drupada's palace and asked him to give cows. But Drupada, filled with pride and ego, refused. He also insulted Drona by asking how a beggar could be his friend. This outraged Drona and he wanted to take revenge from Drupada.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The story of Drona | Once, Drona's son [[Ashwatthama]] was playing with his friends. His friends were drinking milk and he wanted to drink it too. But his friends mixed flour with water and gave it to him. This enraged Drona and he remembered [[Drupada|Drupada's]] promise. He went to Drupada's palace and asked him to give cows. But Drupada, filled with pride and ego, refused. He also insulted Drona by asking how a beggar could be his friend. This outraged Drona and he wanted to take revenge from Drupada.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The story of Drona – Teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas|url=http://www.india-intro.com/religion/mahabharat/210-mahabharat-the-story-of-drona-teacher-of-kauravas-and-pandavas.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713024835/http://www.india-intro.com/religion/mahabharat/210-mahabharat-the-story-of-drona-teacher-of-kauravas-and-pandavas.html|archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> | ||
==Teaching the Kuru princes== | ==Teaching the Kuru princes== | ||
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Dronacharya had been the [[preceptor]] of most kings involved in the [[Kurukshetra War]], on both sides. Dronacharya strongly condemned [[Duryodhana]] exiling the Pandavas, as well as the Kauravas' general abuse towards the Pandavas. But being a servant of [[Hastinapura]], Dronacharya was duty-bound to fight for the Kauravas, and thus against his favorite Pandavas. After the fall of [[Bhishma]] on the tenth day, he became the Chief Commander of the Kuru army on 11th day of war.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Wo3JNkBTtIC&q=drona+the+commander&pg=PA594|title=The Mystery of the Mahabharata: Vol. V: The Explanation of the Epic Part II|publisher=India Research Press|language=en}}</ref> | Dronacharya had been the [[preceptor]] of most kings involved in the [[Kurukshetra War]], on both sides. Dronacharya strongly condemned [[Duryodhana]] exiling the Pandavas, as well as the Kauravas' general abuse towards the Pandavas. But being a servant of [[Hastinapura]], Dronacharya was duty-bound to fight for the Kauravas, and thus against his favorite Pandavas. After the fall of [[Bhishma]] on the tenth day, he became the Chief Commander of the Kuru army on 11th day of war.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Wo3JNkBTtIC&q=drona+the+commander&pg=PA594|title=The Mystery of the Mahabharata: Vol. V: The Explanation of the Epic Part II|publisher=India Research Press|language=en}}</ref> | ||
Duryodhana manages to convince Drona to try to end the war by capturing [[Yudhishthira]]. Though he killed hundreds and thousands of Pandava soldiers, Drona failed to capture Yudhishthira on days eleven and twelve of the war, as [[Arjuna]] was always there to repel his advances.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-27|title=18 Days of The Mahabharata War | Duryodhana manages to convince Drona to try to end the war by capturing [[Yudhishthira]]. Though he killed hundreds and thousands of Pandava soldiers, Drona failed to capture Yudhishthira on days eleven and twelve of the war, as [[Arjuna]] was always there to repel his advances.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-27|title=18 Days of The Mahabharata War – Summary of the War|url=https://vedicfeed.com/18-days-of-the-mahabharata-war-summary-of-the-war/|access-date=2020-09-01|website=VedicFeed|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07045.htm The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva: Abhimanyu-vadha Parva: Section XLVI<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> | ||
===Abhimanyu's killing=== | ===Abhimanyu's killing=== | ||
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The devious murder of his son enraged Arjuna, who swore to kill [[Jayadratha]] the next day or immolate himself. Drona constructed 3 combined vyuhas to protect Jayadratha, first was the Shakata vyuha then was Padma Vyuha and last was the Srigantaka vyuha and at its rear was Jayadratha and stood at the head of the box formation or shakata vyuha | The devious murder of his son enraged Arjuna, who swore to kill [[Jayadratha]] the next day or immolate himself. Drona constructed 3 combined vyuhas to protect Jayadratha, first was the Shakata vyuha then was Padma Vyuha and last was the Srigantaka vyuha and at its rear was Jayadratha and stood at the head of the box formation or shakata vyuha | ||
In the early part of the day, [[Arjuna]] and he duel, and Arjuna is unable to bypass his preceptor. With Krishna's prodding, Arjuna circumvents Drona. When Duryodhana rages at Drona, Drona replies and that he intends to capture Yudhishthira while Arjuna is away and would only hasten their victory.<ref name="GangulyDrona">K M Ganguly( | In the early part of the day, [[Arjuna]] and he duel, and Arjuna is unable to bypass his preceptor. With Krishna's prodding, Arjuna circumvents Drona. When Duryodhana rages at Drona, Drona replies and that he intends to capture Yudhishthira while Arjuna is away and would only hasten their victory.<ref name="GangulyDrona">K M Ganguly (1883–1896). [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05168.htm The Mahabharata, Book 7 Drona Parva] sacred-texts.com, October 2003, Retrieved 2016-08-29</ref> In a notable battle, Drona attempts to capture [[Yudhishthira]] but is stopped by [[Dhristadyumna]]. Drona severely wounds his friend's son, disarming him and forcing him to retreat. When he attempts to chase after Dhristadyumna, he is checked by [[Satyaki]], who insults his teacher's teacher and issues a challenge. Their combat is described as fierce and despite being able to hold off Drona for several hours, Satyaki eventually tires and has to be rescued by the [[Upapandavas]].<ref name ="GangulyDrona" /> | ||
Later in the day, Yudhishthira sends Satyaki to aid Arjuna. When Satyaki comes upon Drona, he circumvents him, saying he must follow in his teacher's footsteps. When Yudhishthira later sends [[Bhima]], Drona recounts what happened with Arjuna and Satyaki, and hence makes sure he does not allow Bhima also to circumvent him. Angrily rebuking him, Bhima shatters Drona's chariot with his mace. Drona takes up another chariot, only for Bhima to smash that one as well. In total, Bhima smashes eight of Drona's chariots and is able to bypass his guru. | Later in the day, Yudhishthira sends Satyaki to aid Arjuna. When Satyaki comes upon Drona, he circumvents him, saying he must follow in his teacher's footsteps. When Yudhishthira later sends [[Bhima]], Drona recounts what happened with Arjuna and Satyaki, and hence makes sure he does not allow Bhima also to circumvent him. Angrily rebuking him, Bhima shatters Drona's chariot with his mace. Drona takes up another chariot, only for Bhima to smash that one as well. In total, Bhima smashes eight of Drona's chariots and is able to bypass his guru. | ||
==Death== | == Death== | ||
[[File:Sadiq, bhima uccide l'elefante asvatthama, india del nord, periodo mogul, 1598.jpg |thumb| Bhima kills an elephant named Asvatthama, By Artist Sadiq from Razmnama]] | [[File:Sadiq, bhima uccide l'elefante asvatthama, india del nord, periodo mogul, 1598.jpg |thumb| Bhima kills an elephant named Asvatthama, By Artist Sadiq from Razmnama]] | ||
On the 14th night (as the kuravas were not ready to stop) of the Mahabharata war, Drona is instigated by [[Duryodhana|Duryodhana's]] remarks of being a traitor as he was not able to protect Jaidrath. Sensing his end is near, he used the [[Brahmastra]] against the common Pandava soldiers. At that moment, all the [[Saptarshi|Sapta Ṛṣis]] appeared on the sky and requested Drona to retract this ultimate weapon used on ordinary soldiers. Dronacharya obeyed, retracting the weapon. The rishis continue and berate Drona for violating the rules of war, criticizing him for using divine weapons so indiscriminately. Drona reiterates that he is sworn to do all he can to protect [[Hastinapur]], and that, moreover, he wants to do so for all that [[Dhritarashtra]] has given him.<ref name ="GangulyDrona" /> | On the 14th night (as the kuravas were not ready to stop) of the Mahabharata war, Drona is instigated by [[Duryodhana|Duryodhana's]] remarks of being a traitor as he was not able to protect Jaidrath. Sensing his end is near, he used the [[Brahmastra]] against the common Pandava soldiers. At that moment, all the [[Saptarshi|Sapta Ṛṣis]] appeared on the sky and requested Drona to retract this ultimate weapon used on ordinary soldiers. Dronacharya obeyed, retracting the weapon. The rishis continue and berate Drona for violating the rules of war, criticizing him for using divine weapons so indiscriminately. Drona reiterates that he is sworn to do all he can to protect [[Hastinapur]], and that, moreover, he wants to do so for all that [[Dhritarashtra]] has given him.<ref name ="GangulyDrona" /> | ||
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On that day, Drona kills many Pandava soldiers, including [[Virata|Virat]] in arrow-play and [[Drupada]] in a sword fight. Lamenting the deterioration of their friendship, Drona pays his respect to Drupada's corpse. | On that day, Drona kills many Pandava soldiers, including [[Virata|Virat]] in arrow-play and [[Drupada]] in a sword fight. Lamenting the deterioration of their friendship, Drona pays his respect to Drupada's corpse. | ||
Knowing it would be impossible to defeat an armed Drona, Krishna suggested the Pandavas a plan to disarm their teacher. His idea was that [[Bhima]] first kill an elephant named Ashwatthama, and then claim to Dronacharya that he has killed Dronacharya's son with the same name. After killing the elephant, Bhima loudly proclaimed that he had killed "Ashwatthama". Disbelieving him, Drona approached Yudhishthira, knowing of Yudhishthira's firm adherence to [[Dharma]] and honesty. When Dronacharya asked for the truth, Yudhishthira responded with the cryptic "Ashwatthama is dead. But the elephant and not your son." Krishna also knew that it would be impossible for Yudhishthira to lie outright. | Knowing it would be impossible to defeat an armed Drona, Krishna suggested the Pandavas a plan to disarm their teacher. His idea was that [[Bhima]] first kill an elephant named Ashwatthama, and then claim to Dronacharya that he has killed Dronacharya's son with the same name. After killing the elephant, Bhima loudly proclaimed that he had killed "Ashwatthama". Disbelieving him, Drona approached Yudhishthira, knowing of Yudhishthira's firm adherence to [[Dharma]] and honesty. When Dronacharya asked for the truth, Yudhishthira responded with the cryptic "Ashwatthama is dead. But the elephant and not your son." Krishna also knew that it would be impossible for Yudhishthira to lie outright. So under his instructions, the other warriors blew trumpets and conchs, raising a tumultuous noise in such a way that Dronacharya only heard that "Ashwatthama was dead", and could not hear the latter part of Yudhishthira's reply. In other versions of the story, it is told that: Yudhishthira was just not loud enough in purpose when he spoke the latter part of his words, or that Drona, in grief, simply could not process the latter part of Yudhishthira's statement.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}<ref>"Ashwatthama is dead" has become a proverbial phrase for a half-lie or half-truth intended to confuse the opponent or the public.</ref> | ||
{{Multiple image | {{Multiple image | ||
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==Analysis and modern assessment== | ==Analysis and modern assessment== | ||
In some [[folklore]], [[Sarasvati|Saraswati]] cursed Dronacharya with an unarmed and humiliating death for Drona's actions. Saraswati said that knowledge belonged to all, and that it was an acharya's duty to spread that knowledge everywhere.<ref name="GangulyDrona" | In some [[folklore]], [[Sarasvati|Saraswati]] cursed Dronacharya with an unarmed and humiliating death for Drona's actions. Saraswati said that knowledge belonged to all, and that it was an acharya's duty to spread that knowledge everywhere.<ref name="GangulyDrona" /> Despite whatever reasons he gave, Drona cheated Ekalavya and Karna to achieve something for himself-to protect his promise to Arjuna that he would make Arjuna the world's greatest archer, as well as his [[oath]] to [[Hastinapur]]. | ||
Drona was somewhat parallel to [[Bhishma]] both in martial powers, and, compelled by the refuge they had given him, in his unwavering commitment to fighting for [[Hastinapur]] irrespective of who the ruler was and whether or not the cause was just. Like Bhishma, Drona is criticized for his pride and conceit, siding with [[adharma]] despite knowing of and acknowledging the righteousness of the [[Pandava]] cause. [[Krishna]] criticized this reasoning as mere pride-Drona wanted to put his obligation to Hastinapur over [[dharma]] so that no one questioned his honor.<ref name="Brodbeck">Brodbeck, Simon. The Mahābhārata Patriline: Gender, Culture, and the Royal Hereditary. Farnham, England: Ashgate, 2009. Print.</ref> | Drona was somewhat parallel to [[Bhishma]] both in martial powers, and, compelled by the refuge they had given him, in his unwavering commitment to fighting for [[Hastinapur]] irrespective of who the ruler was and whether or not the cause was just. Like Bhishma, Drona is criticized for his pride and conceit, siding with [[adharma]] despite knowing of and acknowledging the righteousness of the [[Pandava]] cause. [[Krishna]] criticized this reasoning as mere pride-Drona wanted to put his obligation to Hastinapur over [[dharma]] so that no one questioned his honor.<ref name="Brodbeck">Brodbeck, Simon. The Mahābhārata Patriline: Gender, Culture, and the Royal Hereditary. Farnham, England: Ashgate, 2009. Print.</ref> | ||
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* First, as a [[Brahmin]], and secondly, as the princes' [[guru|teacher]], he should have removed himself from the battlefield. | * First, as a [[Brahmin]], and secondly, as the princes' [[guru|teacher]], he should have removed himself from the battlefield. | ||
* Dronacharya tried to use Brahmastra , celestial powerful weapons against the Pandavas' common foot-soldiers. But when Lord Krishna stopped him, Drona argued that his first obligation was to defeating his enemy and defending his soldiers, by whatever means he possessed. | * Dronacharya tried to use Brahmastra, celestial powerful weapons against the Pandavas' common foot-soldiers. But when Lord Krishna stopped him, Drona argued that his first obligation was to defeating his enemy and defending his soldiers, by whatever means he possessed. | ||
Droncharya's overarching actions during the war are portrayed differently. When he became [[commander-in-chief]], the rules of war were averted. [[Astra (weapon)|Divine weapons]] were used against ordinary soldiers, war continued throughout the night, warriors no longer engaged each other one-on-one, etc. Specifically, he was willing to try to end the war by capturing [[Yudhishthira]], while [[Karna]] was not, as he considered it lacking honor. In other versions, Drona's differences in strategy are shown as a difference in [[philosophy]]- Drona believed, that as the commander-in-chief of the [[Kaurava]] army, his goal was to ensure the protection of his soldiers through any means necessary.<ref name="Brodbeck" /> | Droncharya's overarching actions during the war are portrayed differently. When he became [[commander-in-chief]], the rules of war were averted. [[Astra (weapon)|Divine weapons]] were used against ordinary soldiers, war continued throughout the night, warriors no longer engaged each other one-on-one, etc. Specifically, he was willing to try to end the war by capturing [[Yudhishthira]], while [[Karna]] was not, as he considered it lacking honor. In other versions, Drona's differences in strategy are shown as a difference in [[philosophy]]- Drona believed, that as the commander-in-chief of the [[Kaurava]] army, his goal was to ensure the protection of his soldiers through any means necessary.<ref name="Brodbeck" /> | ||
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He remains a revered figure in Hindu history, and a pillar of the Indian tradition of respecting one's teacher as an equal not only of parents, but even of God. The [[Government of India]] annually awards the [[Dronacharya Award]] for excellence in sports tutelage to the best sports teachers and coaches in [[India]].<ref>[http://www.webindia123.com/sports/awards/windron.htm Dronacharya Award]</ref> | He remains a revered figure in Hindu history, and a pillar of the Indian tradition of respecting one's teacher as an equal not only of parents, but even of God. The [[Government of India]] annually awards the [[Dronacharya Award]] for excellence in sports tutelage to the best sports teachers and coaches in [[India]].<ref>[http://www.webindia123.com/sports/awards/windron.htm Dronacharya Award]</ref> | ||
It is believed that the city of [[Gurgaon]] (literally | It is believed that the city of [[Gurgaon]] (literally – "Village of the [[Guru]]") was founded as "Guru Gram" by Dronacharya on land given to him by [[Dhritarashtra]], the king of [[Hastinapura]] in recognition of his teachings of martial arts to the princes, and the '[[Dronacharya Tank]]', still exists within the [[Gurgaon]] city, along with a village called Gurgaon.<ref>[http://gurgaon.nic.in/history.htm [[Gurgaon]] History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013101146/http://gurgaon.nic.in/history.htm |date=13 October 2007 }}</ref> [[Indian Government]] ([[Haryana]]), on 12 April 2016 decided to reinstate and change the name of Gurgaon to Gurugram. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||