Drona warns Duryodhana and advises reconciliation
Hearing Narada's prophecy, Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni seek Drona as their refuge and offer him the kingdom. Drona accepts their shelter but warns them of destiny and names the one man born to kill him. He advises them to enjoy their short-lived happiness and consider peace.
After Narada’s prophecy vanished into the sky, Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni looked for an anchor. They turned to Drona, their weapons master, and offered him the kingdom itself, thinking he would be their refuge.
Drona spoke to Duryodhana, Duhshasana, Karna, and all the assembled Bharatas. He began with a truth he could not ignore: “The brahmanas have said that the Pandavas, sons of the gods, should not be killed.” But then he made his choice. “With all my strength, I will do whatever I can for those who seek refuge with me. With all their hearts and devotion, the sons of Dhritarashtra and their king have come to me and I cannot abandon them.”
He acknowledged the power of destiny. The Pandavas had been defeated through a trick of dharma and had left for the forest. They would live there for twelve years, practising brahmacharya (celibacy). “But since they will fall prey to anger and intolerance,” Drona said, “the Pandavas will return with enmity and be the cause of great grief to me.”
Then he named his own personal doom. It was not a Pandava. It was a man created for a single purpose.
“In a feud over friendship, I once dislodged Drupada from his kingdom. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! In his anger, he performed a sacrifice to obtain a son who would kill me.” Through the austerities of the priests Yaja and Upayaja, Drupada obtained a son named Dhrishtadyumna from the fire itself — and the slender-waisted Droupadi from the middle of the altar. “He was given by the gods and has radiance like that of the fire. He was born with bow, arrows and armour. Since I am subject to the dharma of earth, I am possessed by great fear for him. This son of Prishata, a bull among men, is now on their side. There will be great fear to my life if I ever have to battle him. He is famous in the world because it has been heard that he will kill me. Because of your deed, that time of destruction has arrived.”
His advice was stark. “Therefore, without any loss of time, do what is best for you. This happiness will last for a short time, like the shade of a palm tree in the winter. Perform great sacrifices, enjoy your pleasures and donate. In the fourteenth year, a great calamity will befall you.” He offered one final path: “O Duryodhana! Depending on your inclinations, you have heard or understood. If you so desire, use pacification with the Pandavas.”
On hearing Drona’s words, Dhritarashtra — the king who had let all this happen — acknowledged their truth. He instructed Vidura: “Go back to the Pandavas. If they do not return, offer respect to the Pandavas. Let these fortunate sons go with arms, chariots and infantry.”