DronacharyaDronacharya was the son of Rishi Bharadwaj and a disciple of Parashurama. As a child, he studied in the same gurukul as Drupada, the prince of Panchala. However, when Drona grew up and visited Panchala to claim Drupada's friendship, Drupada denied it, and that started the lifelong animousity b/w their clans.
Drona also married Kripi, the sister of Kripacharya, the kulguru of the Kurus. So after his humiliation by Drupada, he returned to Hastinapur and taught the Kuru princes the various arts of warfare, particularly noted in teaching Arjun archery and all sorts of weapons. He was also guru to a lot of other princes, including, ironically, Drupada's sons.
In the Kurukshetra war, Drona, Kripa & Ashwatthama all fought on the Kaurava side, and Drona, along w/ Ashwatthama, caused the maximum #casualties of the Pandava armies as far as kings/princes & commanders went. However, on day 15, he overdid it when he used divine weapons against ordinary soldiers, and at that point, Krishna had Yudhisthir lie to him about Ashwatthama being dead, which caused him to forsake his weapons. Drona laid down his weapons, and Dhrishtadyumna, whom Drupada had obtained specifically to kill him, took advantage of that & killed him. Ashwatthama made several attempts to avenge him, finally culminating in the midnight massacre on day 18 - one of the most despicable acts of the war.
In this serial, Drona first appeared in Hastinapur at a playground where the Kuru princes were playing, and a ball was thrown into a well by Duhsala. Drona sent some well aimed blades of grass into the well, fishing out the ball. He was later welcomed by Kripacharya, Bheeshma & Vidura, and suggested that he take the princes out of Hastinapur to his gurukul. Dhritarashtra balked, but after Duryodhan's attempt on Bhima, when Bheeshma marginalized him, he got his opportunity, and the Kurus were sent to his gurukul.
Drona then delivered an image as a strict disciplinarian, cracking down on an attempt by Duryodhan to establish a luxury tent in the facility. He was impressed by Arjuna, and also by Yudisthir. During this time, the incident w/ Ekalavya happened - the latter claimed to be Drona's pupil, and Drona demanded his right thumb as gurudakshina. During this time, Karna too appeared before Drona, but was turned down.
Finally, after the Kuru princes returned to Hastinapur, the tournament was held. After Ashwatthama had manipulated the choice of contestants, Drona noticed that he wanted to bring down an elephant statue and assassinate Arjun. Drona took his bow to do him that favor, but after the statue came down on him, an arrow out of that rubble convinced everyone that Arjun was alive.
After the contest, when the Kaurava court was deciding about the yuvraj of the kingdom, Drona appeared and demanded his gurudakshina. He demanded that his pupils capture & bring b4 him Drupada. The Kauravas tried but failed, while the Pandavas succeeded. Following that, Drona annexed the northern part of Drupada's kingdom, and had him crown Ashwatthama as the king of that kingdom.
Courtesy: .Vrish.
KripiKripi was the sister of Kripacharya, and along w/ her brother, adopted by Shantanu, but raised as Brahmins. She later married Dronacharya and gave birth to Ashwatthama.
In this serial, Kripi was shown briefly at Drona's gurukul, when she tried to mediate in the dispute b/w Drona & Ashwatthama over the latter's materialistic tendencies. Drona promised Kripi that he'd make Ashwatthama a king.
Courtesy: .Vrish.
AshwatthamaAshwatthama was the despicable son of Drona & Kripi. He was one of the greatest warriors on either side of the war, and along with his father, was responsible for the deaths of the overwhelming majority of Pandava warriors. He is eternally infamous for the midnight massacre of the Pandava army after the 18th day of the war, and following that, releasing the most lethal weapon - the Brahmashira - on a pregnant Uttara, almost killing her son. He was cursed by Krishna to be a leper for the remainder of his life, as a result
In this serial, Ashwatthama first makes his appearance in Drona's gurukul. Duryodhan & Dushashan enter a luxury tent and see someone apparently sleeping. Dushashan attempts to attack him, but Ashwatthama seizes his weapon. Duryodhan instantly rebukes Dushashan & befriends Ashwatthama, promising him all royal favors. Drona then sends that tent flying and burns it down, resulting in Ashwatthama's public humiliation.
Ashwatthama later questions his father, who tells him that friendship is either b/w equals, or based on expectations. He tells him that his friendship w/ Duryodhan is inappropriate. However, w/ Arjun proving himself as the best archer in the clan, Ashwatthama's envy increased, and he joined Duryodhan & Dushashan in their plots.
When Ekalavya surfaced, Ashwatthama, hearing the sound of practice after nightfall, thought it was Arjun and sent an arrow to finish him. However, Ekalavya's arrow intercepted his. Later, Duryodhan & Ashwatthama decided to ask Ekalavya to become their army commander, but b4 that could happen, Drona demanded Ekalavya's thumb, & put paid to that attempt.
After the gurukul session was over, Ashwatthama plotted w/ Shakuni and on the day of the tournament, shot arrows into a wheel to select the contestants. His first target was Duryodhan & Nakul, and for all of Duryodhan's subsequent rivals, he picked Sahadev, Yudisthir, Bhima & Arjuna, in that sequence. When Arjun entered, as per the plot, he tried to assassinate him by bringing an elephant statue symbolizing the city of Hastinapur down on him. However, Drona told him that he'd do that task for him, but Arjun survived that attempt. Drona told Ashwatthama that Arjun created an umbrella of arrows to shield himself from that rubble.
After the defeat of Drupada, Drona had Ashatthama crowned the king of North Panchala
Courtesy: .Vrish.
KripacharyaKripacharya & his sister Kripi were adopted children of Santanu, but raised as Brahmins. Kripacharya grew up to become the Kulguru of the Kuru family - a role that he started as the guru to the sons of Pandu & Dhritarashtra. Kripi married Drona and as a result, Drona's relationship w/ Hastinapur started. Kripacharya later transferred to Drona the teaching of how to use weapons.
In the war, Kripa, like Bheeshma, Drona & Ashwatthama, joined the Kauravas and was one of the 11 Akshauni commanders. He was one of the 3 survivors of the war, the other 2 being Ashwatthama & Kritavarma. He initially tried to dissuade Ashwatthama from killing the sleeping Pandava warriors, but when Ashwatthama, who had been named the new senapati by Duryodhan, refused, he joined him and participated in that massacre.
After the war, Kripacharya became a private companion to Dritarashtra until the latter went into exile 15 years later.
In this serial, Kripacharya was briefly shown during Kuru rituals - like the wedding of Vichitravirya, where he had a brief altercation w/ Amba, and occasionally w/ a cameo role. He first came into prominence when Drona appeared, where he was concerned about the well being of Kripi & Ashwatthama.
His next prominent role was during the tournament, where he questioned Karna about his lineage, and insulted him.
Courtesy: .Vrish.
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