FRIENDSHIP IN HINDUISM, AN EPITOME? (PART 2)

If you haven't read Part 1, read it here: Friendship in Hinduism, an epitome? (Part 1)

THE FRIENDSHIP OF DRUPADA AND DRONACHARYA

Drupada the is king of the land of Panchala and Dronacharya is a martial art cognizant who taught martial skills to the princes of Hastinapur, the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

In their youth, Drupada and Drona studied together and became best of friends. Drupada promised Drona that when he gets crowned as the king of Panchala, he would give Drona half of his kingdom.

Like Krishna and Sudama, Drupada and Drona part ways and destiny - Drupada becomes the king of Panchala and Duryodhana was afflicted by poverty.

Remembering Drupada's promise to give half of his kingdom, Duryodhana sets out to Panchala to meet Drupada.

Drupada scorns Drona, saying that friends could only be from an equal status and mocks him further for taking the half hearted promise seriously.

Drona left quietly - anger being like an albatross around his neck.

Eventually, Drona becomes the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the princes of Hastinapur. Having resentment for Drupada, Drona demands guru dakshina (teacher's payment) from his disciples, the brothers Pandavas and Kauravas, that they fight and defeat Drupada. Arjuna, the Pandava, disarms Drupada and forces him to surrender a part of his kingdom.

Drona tells him, "See, now I have filled the gap we had in our positions. Now we can be friends, can't we Drupad? You failed to keep your promise but I will not, my friend. I own your kingdom now, but I will give you your share. You keep half of the kingdom and I will give half to my son Ashwatthama". Drupad felt insulted and decided to take revenge, he was though greatly impressed by the archery skills of Arjun, the third among the pandav and Drona's favorite student.

In rage of vengeance, Drupad performed a yagya and produced a son named Drishtadyumna who was declared as the slayer of Drona.

He also got a daughter named Draupadi whom later Arjun won in her Swayamvar. But later she was married to all the five pandav brothers. Drupad was happy that he became father-in-law of the greatest warriors.

Though Drishtadyumna was destined to kill Drona, he was sent by his father to Dronacharya himself to learn archery.

On the 15th day of the Kurukshetra war, the great duel between Drona and Drupad was fought. Before the war, Drona sked Drupad, “This is our final chance to meet each other Drupad, lets greet each other”. But Drupad replied, “You are not even worthy of my greetings, Drona”. Drona destroyed Drupad's bow and mace. They fought with swords then, and after a long battle, Drona struck the sword in the chest of his friend Drupad killing him.

On the same day, when the trickster Krishna, who was Arjuna's chariot driver delivers a false news to Drona that his only son, Ashwatthama has perished.

Saddened, Drona sits in a yoga position in the midst of the warzone and Dhristadyumna beheads Drona from behind, fulfilling his father's revenge and the mission of his birth

After the war of that day got over, the dead body of Drupad was lying on the field and his crown dropped a little above his head to match the crownless head of his friend Drona lying very close to his body.

Thus there remained no difference between the friends. Both were sharing their belongings (of eternal glory of great warriors lying dead in the battlefield) equally as once told by Drupad.

The concept of friendship in Hinduism has to be taken with a pinch of salt. While the story of Sudama and Krishna is always highlighted, the story of Drona and Drupada is underplayed.

Ultimately, you came into this world empty handed and you will leave this world empty handed so make friends that will remember you for all the right reasons at your posthumous.

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