Drupada and Drona

Drona grew up in the hermitage of his father, Bharadwaja. There, he became friends with Drupada, the prince of Panchala, who was one of Bharadwaja's pupils. In due course, Drupada became king and the two friends lost touch with each other.

Drona, meanwhile, married Kripa's sister and had a son, Aswattama. The three of them lived in a small village in Panchala. One day, the young Aswattama came crying saying that he wanted milk to drink. Drona sat him down and explained to him that as they were poor and as they had no cow, they could not have milk.

One day, Drona noticed some boys mix chalk in water and give it to Aswattama. His son danced with joy, thinking that he had tasted milk, while the other boys mocked him. When he returned home, he found his wife clutching their son and comforting him thus, ``they are blind who can not see your father for where he is rich. The shame is theirs who make fun of him for his poverty.''

Drona, however, hated to see his son so wretched and wondered how he could get some money. Drona remembered his early friendship with the king and went to Drupada's palace. Drupada, however, did not recognize him.

``I am your friend,'' said Drona, ``we grew up together in my father's hermitage.''

``Don't be a fool,'' said Drupada angrily, ``I am a king and must have friends and enemies from among my equals.''

Thus snubbed, Drona left Panchala and made his way toward Hastinapura, where his wife's brother Kripa lived. While there, he helped save Yudhishthira's ring , showing his skills in the process. Bhishma named him the instructor of the Bharata princes and when the lessons were over, Drona named his price. For repayment of his lessons, he wanted the princes to attack Panchala and bring back Drupada.

The Kuru princes drove in their chariots to Panchala but Drupada drove back the army of Duryodhana and his brothers and cousins. Drupada turned back to his city, thinking it was over, but Arjuna had not fled. He was still in the battle field, blocking Drupada's way back to his city.

Drupada put an arrow to his bow but Arjuna was a faster draw; he sliced Drupada's bow before Drupada could get his arrow off. Arjuna raced his chariot toward Drupada and Drupada drew his sword to fend off the Pandava. Arjuna broke the sword with another arrow and by this time, his chariot was alongside Drupada's. Reached into the chariot, Arjuna caught Drupada up and dragged him into his chariot with nary a pause. With Drupada in his chariot, unarmed, Arjuna sped toward Hastinapura.

``Yield to me,'' shouted Arjuna, ``and do not fear for your life.''

``I yield,'' said Drupada, ``but who are you?''

``I am Arjuna,'' replied Arjuna to his captive, ``and you are coming with me to Hastinapura.''

``But I was a friend of your father, Pandu,'' said Drupada, ``why did you attack my kingdom?''

``You are the payment to my guru, Drona,'' replied Arjuna, ``but since you are a great fighter and my father's friend, I will guard your life.''

When Arjuna brought Drupada before him, Drona took a long look at his old friend. ``Majesty,'' said Drona, ``I will take half your kingdom so that we may be equals.''

``And now that you are my equal, I may choose whether you are a friend or an enemy,'' said Drona, remembering. But the feud was not over. Drupada would exact his revenge through the same Arjuna who had captured him .