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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 33 Drupada Captured >>
 |  | Then Drona, having summoned his students, insisted that all of them, without exception, offer him payment in return for the education he had given them. The daksina, or payment, that he demanded was this:
| | | "My dear students, you must capture Drupada, king of Pancala, in face-to-face combat, and bring him to me. May you be blessed in your endeavor, for this shall be the highest daksina".
| | | "So be it!" said the young warriors, and accompanied by Drona they went quickly on their chariots to secure that valuable gift for their guru. Those powerful men went straight to the land of the Pancalas and attacked and leveled the city of mighty Drupada. Arresting Drupada, known as Yajnasena, those powerful men brought him with his ministers before Drona.
| | | Drupada's pride was broken, and his wealth lost, for he was now a helpless prisoner. Drona, remembering the enmity between himself and Drupada, the said to the fallen king, "I have quickly smashed your kingdom and city, and you have been taken alive by your enemy. [As you once said,] What need is there for a friend of the past?"
| | | Having spoken thus, and laughing loudly at the fallen king, Drona came to a decision and said, "Do not fear for your life, O king, for we brahmanas are forgiving. In our childhood I played with you in the hermitage, O mighty ksatriya, and I developed a strong affection for you. Indeed, I would pray to have friendship with you again, O leader of men, and therefore I award you a boon. Take back half of your kingdom.
| | | "One who is not a king is not worthy to be a friend of kings, and therefore, O Yajnasena, I endeavored to gain your kingdom so that we might be friends. You are now king of the land on the southern bank of the Bhagirathi, and I am king on the northern bank. If you agree, then know for certain, Pancala, that I am your friend".
| | | King Drupada said, "Your victory and your generosity are not surprising, O brahmana, for that is the way of the great and mighty. I do feel love for you, and I desire your everlasting love toward me".
| | | When thus addressed by the king, Drona at once released him, and with joy in his heart he honored his old friend and delivered to him half the kingdom. Drupada then ruled Makandi, on the bank of the Ganges, with its broad countryside, and dwelled in the fine capital city of Kampilya, controlling the southern Pancalas as far south as the Carmanvati River. But Drupada was terribly depressed, for he constantly remembered his feud with Drona and could find no peace. He saw no way to achieve victory with his warrior strength.
| | | Feeling helpless against the power of a brahmana, the king began to yearn for a son [who would regain his honor]. As Drupada fixed this thought in his mind, Drona settled into his new kingdom of Ahicchatra.
| | | Thus, O king, Drona's students, led by Arjuna, conquered in battle the capital of Ahicchatra and the surrounding country and delivered it as a gift to Drona.
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