Drona Humiliates Drupada and Divides His Kingdom
With King Drupada humiliated and under his complete control, Drona reminds him of their childhood friendship and the insult that shattered it. He offers a renewal of that friendship — but only after keeping the northern half of Drupada's kingdom for himself.
Drupada stood before Drona, humiliated, robbed of his riches, utterly under his old friend's control. Drona looked at him and remembered everything — the days playing together in the hermitage, the easy friendship of boys, and the later, colder meeting when Drupada, now a king, had dismissed Drona, then a poor Brahmin, as no friend of his.
Seeing Drupada now, Drona smiled a little. "I have laid waste your kingdom and your capital," he said. "Now that you have received your life at an enemy's hand, do you wish to revive our old friendship?"
He paused, then continued, his tone shifting. "O king! Do not fear for your life. We Brahmanas always forgive." He spoke of his affection, how it had grown since their childhood. "I ask for your friendship once again. As a boon, I am granting you half of your kingdom."
Then came the condition, the reason for the division. "O Yajnasena! How can one who is not a king be a friend to one who is a king? Therefore, I am retaining half of your kingdom. You will be the king of the region that is to the south of the Bhagirathi, and I will be the king on the northern side. O Panchala! If you so desire, from now on, know me as your friend."
Drupada's reply was smooth, devoid of visible anger. "O Brahmana! O great-souled and brave one! This is not surprising. I am pleased to be your friend and I wish to give you pleasure eternally."
At these words, Drona set him free. He honored him with a happy heart and returned half the kingdom — the southern half. The northern half, with its capital at Ahichhatra, Drona kept for himself, a king now in his own right.