Dronacharya : The Teacher
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At a glance
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Indian Mythology |
| Classification | Mortals |
| Family Members | Bharadwaja (Father), Kripi (Wife), Ashwathama (Son) |
| Region | Indian |
| Associated With | Teaching, Warfare, Divine Weapons |
Dronacharya
Introduction
Drona was a royal preceptor and teacher to the Pandavas and Kauravas, and he is one of the main characters in the epic Mahabharata in Indian mythology. He was also a friend of Guru Sukracharya, who is the guru of Asuras. Dronacharya’s legend as a great teacher and warrior exceeds Hindu mythology by strongly influencing Indian social traditions. Drona inspires great debates about morality and dharma in the Mahābhārata epic.
He was the son of Bharadwaja, a descendant of Angirasa, and the second commanding officer of the Kaurava army during the 11th to 15th days of the war. He was also skilled in various military arts, such as the use of divine weapons. He was beheaded by Dhrishtadyumna while he was meditating on the battlefield. It was believed that he was the incarnation of Lord Brihaspati. He was the Guru of the Pandavas, Kauravas, Jaydrath, and Aswathama.
Physical Traits
Mostly found wearing the saffron robes of a brahmin, he has also been depicted as preferring the colour white in many representations. He is a battle hardened brahmin with scars galore rather than the soft features of other worship and wisdom oriented brahmins of his time.
Family
Drona’s father Sage Bharadwaja was on a river when he saw Ghritachi, an apsara whose beauty completely captivated him. He was overwhelmed with desire and ejaculated into a pot, inside which the child Drona developed and was then brought to the ashram. Dhronachrya married Kripi, the sister of Kripa who was the royal teacher of the princes of Hastinapura. Dronacharya’s strained relationship with his childhood friend King Draupada, his preference for Arjuna and his strong caste based ideals eventually led to his downfall.
Other Names
He was born Drona but was given the suffix ‘acharya’ after he proved himself as the teacher of the royal families of Hastinapura. Ever since, he was referred to as Dronacharya.
Powers and Abilities
Dronacharya was trained in warfare by the great Parashurama itself. When Drona learned that Parasurama had been giving away his fruits of penance to other brahmanas, he decided to approach him. Unfortunately, after arriving, Drona learnt that Parasurama had already given away most of his belongings. He took pity on Drona and decided to teach him about fighting and weaponry instead.
Dronacharya was also a great teacher and imparted training in combat, strategy, use of various weapons and divine incantations for celestial weapons. This allowed his students to become among the greatest warriors among all at that point in time
Modern Day Influence
Despite his shortcomings and personality flaws, Dronacharya is considered to be a great teacher in the Indian mythology even today. The Indian government bestows the best coaches in the country across multiple sports division with the Dronacharya Award every year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who killed Dronacharya?
Dronacharya was killed by Dhrishtadyumna during the Kurukshetra War. A plan was devised by Krishna to make Drona put down his weapons by spreading false news of his son Ashwatthama’s death. Yudhishthira, known for his honesty, confirmed the death ambiguously, referring to an elephant named Ashwatthama. Grief-stricken, Dronacharya stopped fighting and sat in meditation. Seizing the moment, Dhrishtadyumna fulfilled his destiny by beheading Dronacharya.
What is Dronacharya famous for?
Dronacharya is famous for being the legendary teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata, imparting skills in warfare and archery. He was a master archer and a key figure in the Kurukshetra War, serving as the commander of the Kaurava army. Known for his loyalty to Hastinapura, Drona faced moral dilemmas during the war. His deep knowledge and teachings shaped many great warriors.
Who killed Ashwathama, son of Dronacharya?
Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, was not killed in the Mahabharata. Instead, he was cursed to live a long, miserable life. After the Kurukshetra War, Ashwatthama, in a fit of revenge, killed the sleeping sons of the Pandavas. In response, Lord Krishna cursed him for this heinous act. The curse condemned Ashwatthama to wander the earth for eternity, suffering from wounds that would never heal. He was spared death but was doomed to endure immense pain and isolation for his actions.
How powerful was Dronacharya?
Dronacharya was an incredibly powerful warrior and master of divine weapons, including the Brahmastra, one of the most destructive celestial weapons. As an unparalleled archer, he was second only to Parashurama, his teacher. He trained legendary warriors like Arjuna and excelled in advanced combat tactics. His strategic brilliance was evident in the battlefield formations he devised, like the Chakravyuha. During the Kurukshetra War, he was an invincible commander for the Kauravas.
Is Dronacharya still alive?
No, Dronacharya is not alive. In the Mahabharata, Dronacharya was killed on the 15th day of the Kurukshetra War. After being deceived by the news of his son Ashwatthama’s death, Dronacharya lost his will to fight and sat in meditation. Seizing this moment, Dhrishtadyumna, who was born to kill Drona, beheaded him. Although his legacy as a legendary teacher and warrior continues, Dronacharya’s life ended during the great war.
