Character
Dronacharya: FAQ & Sources
द्रोणाचार्यRoyal preceptor of arms to the Kuru princes; commander of the Kaurava army. Also called Drona, Acharya, Bharadwaja's son, Guru of the Kurus.
Dronacharya, son of the sage Bharadwaja, was the master of arms who taught both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Favouring Arjuna, he demanded Ekalavya's thumb as his fee and warred with his old friend Drupada. As commander of the Kaurava army he was slain by Dhrishtadyumna after being deceived into laying down his bow.
RoleRoyal preceptor of arms to the Kuru princes; commander of the Kaurava army
AllegianceHastinapura (the Kuru court and Kaurava army)
Frequently asked questions
Who was Dronacharya?
Dronacharya was the guru of arms who trained the Pandava and Kaurava princes, and later commanded the Kaurava army.
Whose son was Dronacharya?
He was the son of the sage Bharadwaja, and is said to have been born from seed kept in a drona (vessel), which gave him his name.
Who were Dronacharya's students?
He taught the hundred Kauravas and the five Pandavas, and loved Arjuna best; Ashvatthama was his own son.
Why did Dronacharya take Ekalavya's thumb?
He asked for it as guru-dakshina so that no archer would surpass his favourite pupil, Arjuna.
How did Dronacharya die?
Deceived into believing his son Ashvatthama was dead, he laid down his weapons and was beheaded by Dhrishtadyumna.
Sources
- Mahabharata, Adi Parva (birth, the quarrel with Drupada, Ekalavya)
- Mahabharata, Drona Parva (his generalship and death)
- Mahabharata, Sambhava Parva
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