Jai Sriman Narayana !!
The great epic Mahabharath was composed by
Maharishi Veda Vyasa/Krishna Dwaipayana, son of Sage Parasara and Sathyavati, a
woman from fishermen clan. Mahabharath describes the legend of Bharatha
Dynasty. It was written in 18 Parva such as Adhi Parva,
Sabha Parva, Vana Parva, Virada Parva, Udhyoga Parva, Bhishma Parva, Drona
Parva, Karna Parva, Shalya Parva, Soupthika Parva, Stri Parva, Shanthi Parva,
Anushasana Parva, Ashwamedha Parva, Ashramavasika Parva, Musala Parva,
Mahaprasthanika Parva and Swargarohana Parva and each Parva has divided into
many Upaparva and has chapters in detail. Adhi Parva depicts the
life of King Dushyantha and his wife Shakunthala and their son Sarvadhamanan,
who was famously known as Bharatha, a righteous ruler of Bharatha Empior.
Lord Brahma created deities, Sages and
Prajapathis. It was the beginning of the growth of human race from the
sixty daughters of Daksha Prajapathi. Pururavass, Yayathi,
Puru, Dushyantha, Bharatha, Shanthanu were born in the family of
Dithi, one of the daughters of Daksha Prajapathi.
Rishi Vaishampayana narrates, Dronacharya, son of
Sage Bharadhwaja lived a secluded life after returning from the Kingdom of
Panchala, he was tormented with extreme grief caused by the maltreatment of his
childhood friend King Drupada, and he was quietly settled in the hermitage of
Sage Gautama. One day, the mighty sons of King Drutharashtra and
Pandu arrived in the woodlands and engaged in various sports. Suddenly,
the ball with which they have been playing fell into a well and all the
children assembled near the well to retrieve the same. The Princes were
tried all their efforts to regain the ball, but nothing worked right and it
stirred great anxiety in them. There appeared a Brahmin with great
personality and excellent physique before the Princes of Hasthinapur that was
none other than Dronacharya. The Kurus were mesmerized at the
charismatic features of Dronacharya that was gained through the meticulous
performance of Agnihotra and severe penance. The Kurus after a few
unsuccessful trials to pick the ball from the well were fascinated at the
appearance of Dronacharya and surrounded him with great anguish.
Dronacharya was pompously stared at the mighty Princes of Bharatha race around
him; conscious of his mightiness and willpower derisively addressed the Princes
of Kurus about their skill in arms and stated as an appalling performance in
their effort to regain the ball. Dronacharya flamboyantly announced that
he could recover the ball from the well by means of the sacred grass as arrows;
furthermore he removed the ring from his hand and tossed it to the well and
affirmed that he could recover the ring as well. Dronacharya explained
his exceptional knowledge in Sastra to Yudhishtira, utilizing the rows of
sacred grass as arrows to pick the ball from well. Dronacharya effortlessly
recovered the ball and the ring pouring arrows made up of sacred grass on
it. The Princes of Kurus were mesmerized at the marvelous
performance of Dronacharya. The Princes of Kurus desired to know more
about the fabulous Brahmin, but he refused to mention anything about him,
instead he advised the Princes to converse about the skill and likeness of him
to Bhishma Pithamaha that would help Bhishma Pithamaha to recognize him.
The Princes of Kurus returned to Hasthinapur and dutifully described the
incident took place in the woodland. Instantly, Bhishma Pithamaha
understood that the illustrious Brahma was none other than Dronacharya,
instantly thought that he would make an ideal preceptor for the Princes of
Kurus. Shortly, Bhishma Pithamaha met Dronacharya and brought to him the
Palace of Hasthinapur. Dronacharya was received with utmost reverence;
Bhishma Pithamaha enquired the reason for his stay in Hasthinapur.
Dronacharya narrated the entire incidents took place between him and the King
Drupad of Panchala, the childhood days spent with the Prince of Panchala,
learning Agneya Astra from Sage Agnivesa, demise of Sage Bharadhwaja and
encounter with the childhood friend King Yajyasena & King Drupada of
Panchala, impertinence of Drupada, marriage to Kripi and the birth of
Ashwathama. It was the crucial moment of poverty in the family,
Ashwathama much preferred to drink milk seeing the other children around him
happily consuming the same. In a moment Dronacharya stopped thinking about
the knowledge he had acquired and wandered to have a possession of a cow to
fulfill the desire of his dearest child, but Dronacharya’s all the efforts to
obtain a cow went on vain. Ashwathama was forced to accept the water mixed with
powdered rice in place of milk from his friends that was gracefully consumed
and joyfully walked around, and this incident ripped Dronacharya’s heart out
caused insurmountable pain. He had to receive sheer criticisms from the
people for his inability to earn wealth and provide the minimum needs to his
child. Bhishma Pithamaha advised Dronacharya to remain the preceptor of
Kurus and shape them as accomplished warriors in the use of armaments, in
return promised to provide all the comforts in the city of Hasthinapur and live
a blissful life.
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
