Back দ্ৰোণাচাৰ্য Assamese Drona BAN দ্রোণাচার্য Bengali/Bangla Dronao Esperanto Drona Spanish Drona French द्रोणाचार्य GOM દ્રોણ Gujarati द्रोणाचार्य Hindi Drona ID
| Drona | |
|---|---|
 Drona teaching archery to the Kuru princes, painting by Nandalal Bose | |
| Information | |
| Family | Bharadvaja (father) |
| Spouse | Kripi |
| Children | Ashwatthama |
| Relatives | Kripa (brother-in-law) |
| Disciples | |
Droṇa (Sanskrit: द्रोण, IAST: Droṇa), also referred to as Dronacharya (Sanskrit: द्रोणाचार्य, IAST: Droṇācārya), is a major character of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he serves as the royal preceptor of the Kauravas and the Pandavas. He is one of the primary counsellors and warriors featured in the epic.
Drona is the son of the sage Bharadvaja, and a descendant of the sage Angirasa. Despite being master of advanced military arts and the divine weapons known as astras, Drona initially chooses a life of poverty until he is humiliated by his friend Drupada, the king of Panchala. With the help of his students, he captures Drupada and takes away half of the kingdom for his son, Ashwatthama.
Drona serves as the second commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army, from the 11th day to the 15th day. The acharya fails four times in capturing Yudhishthira (the 11th day, 12th day, 14th day, and the 14th night). He was beheaded by Dhrishtadyumna—his student and son of Drupada—when he meditates to release his soul on the battlefield.[1]