34 Facts About Drona

Drona is the son of the sage Bharadvaja, and a descendant of the sage Angirasa.

Drona serves as the second commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army, from the 11th day to the 15th day.

Drona was filled with desire and his seed fell into a pot or basket.

Inside it, a child developed who was named Drona because he was born in a pot and was brought to the ashram.

Time passed, and Drupada became the king of Panchala, and Drona became a sage and teacher.

Drona was not interested in material wealth and became poor.

Drona's friends were drinking milk and he wanted to drink it too.

Drona went to Drupada's palace in hopes that Drupada would remember his promise and share his wealth with him.

Drona insulted Drona by asking how a beggar could be his friend.

Many years later, Drona heard that the sage Parashurama was donating his wealth.

However, by the time Drona reached Parashurama's hermitage in the Mahendra Mountain, the latter had already given away all his wealth.

Drona had only his body and his weapons to give away.

Drona chose to have Parashurama's weapons and acquired the knowledge of weapons from the sage.

Drona was greatly impressed by Arjuna's concentration, determination, and drive, and promised him that he would become the greatest archer on earth.

Ekalavya, the son of a Nishadha chief, approached Drona seeking his instruction.

Undeterred, Ekalavya began study and practice by himself, having fashioned a clay idol of Drona's to watch over his training.

Drona was in a tangle: on the one hand, he promised Arjuna that he would make him the greatest archer on earth; on the other hand, Ekalavya had indeed been training as his pupil without his consent, albeit being guided only by his idol.

Drona worshiped the gods as a form of preparatory rites.

Drona impressed by his beloved student Arjuna's skills then declared that Arjuna is the greatest archer in the world.

Drona then challenged Arjuna for a duel and Kripa demanded that Karna state his lineage.

Drona reminds Drupada about their days of friendship and his false promise before taking away half of the Panchala kingdom.

Drona would make Ashwatthama the king of the annexed half of the Panchala kingdom.

Drona had been the preceptor of most kings involved in the Kurukshetra War on both sides.

Drona strongly condemned Duryodhana exiling the Pandavas, as well as the Kauravas' general abuse towards the Pandavas.

Duryodhana manages to convince Drona to try to end the war by capturing Yudhishthira.

Drona is impressed with Abhimanyu and praises him endlessly, earning the ire of Duryodhana.

Drona constructed three combined vyuhas to protect Jayadratha, first was the Shakata vyuha then was Padma Vyuha and last was the Srigantaka vyuha and at its rear was Jayadratha and stood at the head of the box formation or Shakata vyuha.

Drona takes up another chariot, only for Bhima to smash that one as well.

At that moment, all the Saptarshi appeared on the sky and requested Drona to retract this ultimate weapon used on ordinary soldiers.

The rishis continue and berate Drona for violating the rules of war, criticizing him for using divine weapons so indiscriminately.

Drona was somewhat parallel to Bhishma both in martial powers, and, compelled by the refuge King Dhritarashtra had given him, in his unwavering commitment to fighting for Hastinapura irrespective of who the ruler was and whether or not the cause was just.

Drona is often accused of dragging the Kuru dynasty into his own personal conflicts when he demanded his pupils to capture Drupada.

Drona was notably silent during Draupadi's disrobing as he was afraid of antagonizing the Kauravas.

Drona was criticized for many of his actions during the war:.