Drona Trains the Kurus and Takes Revenge on Drupada
Drona accepts the Kuru princes as his students, training them with one private goal: to humble King Drupada. When they are skilled, he names his fee—their first mission is to capture Drupada and his kingdom.
In the Kuru capital, Bhishma recognized Drona’s mastery. He took a wealth of riches and offered his grandsons — both the Pandavas and the Kauravas — to the wise Drona as students. Drona accepted them.
His intention, however, was singular: to humiliate Drupada.
He assembled all his students and told them, “O unblemished ones! When you have become skilled in the use of all weapons, as a preceptor’s fee, you must promise that you will give me what I wish for.” They agreed.
When the Pandavas, in particular, had become supremely skilled and successful in their training, Drona reminded them of the debt. He named his guru dakshina (teacher’s fee): “Parshata Drupada is the king in Chhatravati. Take his kingdom away from him and give it to me quickly.”
The five sons of Pandu went to battle. They defeated Drupada’s forces, took the king and his advisers prisoner, and brought them before Drona.
Drona looked at his captive childhood friend. “O king of men! I again seek your friendship.” He echoed Drupada’s own logic back to him. “One who is not a king cannot be a friend to one who is a king. O Yajnasena! Therefore, I will divide the kingdom with you. You will be the king on the southern banks of the Bhagirathi and I on the north.”
He took half the kingdom. The forced “friendship” was restored on paper, a relationship of equals carved from conquest.
The thought of that great insult never left Drupada’s mind for a single instant. Consumed by misery, the king became thin.