Drona, Drupada, and the Guru's Vow

Two Childhood Friends

द्रोणः — भरद्वाजमुनेः पुत्रः — बाल्ये द्रुपदेन सह अभ्यस्यत्। द्रुपदः — पाञ्चालराजकुमारः — द्रोणस्य प्रियसखः। "द्रोण! यदा अहं राजा भविष्यामि — तदा अर्धं राज्यम् तुभ्यम् दास्यामि।" इति द्रुपदः उक्तवान्। गुरुकुले उभौ एकत्र पठितवन्तौ — प्रेम्णा। कालेन द्रुपदः राजा जातः — पाञ्चालस्य सम्राट्। द्रोणः च ब्राह्मणः — निर्धनः — पत्न्या पुत्रेण च सह। तस्य पुत्रः अश्वत्थामा दुग्धाय क्रन्दति। द्रोणः पत्न्यै उक्तवान् — "द्रुपदस्य समीपम् गच्छामि।"

Drona — son of the sage Bharadvaja — studied alongside Drupada in youth. Drupada — prince of Panchala — was Drona's dearest friend. "Drona! When I become king — I shall give you half my kingdom," Drupada had said. In the gurukula both studied together — with great affection. In time, Drupada became king — emperor of Panchala. And Drona the brahmin — was poor — with his wife and son. His son Ashvatthama cried for milk. Drona told his wife: "I shall go to Drupada."