ARYAVARTA

chapter 18

Drona

For years, I have been traveling the entire aryavartha to accumulate knowledge on warfare so I could have my vengeance. I still remember the day when Drupad insulted me in front of all the courtiers calling me a beggar. That day I decided I will get my revenge. I left my family, my wife who left everything for me, my son who I had never seen grow all so I could achieve my goal. All now I need is a weapon, a weapon that will destroy Drupad pride. And who better than the princes of hastinapur .
Like me even they too have a debt to pay to Drupad, Drupad greatest achievement killing maharaj veerdath will pave the path for his death.
So soon I got the letter from Dakshin asking me to teach the young prince I begin my journey to hastinapur

After reaching hastinapur I went to the temple to offer my prayers and to meet my old friend Dakshin
After that a young priest led me to Dakshin home. I remember the time I used to visit Dakshin house when we were young. Each time I visited I was welcomed with a smile by his wife Nirmala but today there was no Nirmala to welcome me.

" Where is sister Nirmala" asked drona

" She is inside can't walk or talk for the last 15 years . The death of our son  paralyzed her. The shock was too much for her to handle. He was born 7 years after our marriage. She spent a lot of time in temples praying for a child and then destiny took him away from us. Forget it I heard about what happened at panchal . Time indeed changes men. Do you remember the time me, you, drupad used to spend at your father's ashram and how guru dev screams at us . Those were good days. Now the entire aryavartha is in turmoil . Nagas has fortified their position in kandhavaprastha .  Maharathi parusharam has stopped teaching and now spending his time at the lands of those wretched Asuras.
If we are not careful soon these shudras, nagas every urchin will rise up and dooms aryavartha. Men like
Charvaka, kripachariya are polluting the mind of the young people even your son is a victim. You should have sent him to me not to kripachariya"

" What is the problem with ashwathama?"

" Your son is a great kid , knowledgeable in vedas and laws, but his company is not good. His best friend is that bastard"

" Bastard, who is that?"

" Karna, the adopted son of maharaj dhitrarashtra and maharani gandhari.
A mistake thrown away soon after the birth by the parents. You may have heard about the great queen gandhari and there is her evil spawn duryodhan born to destroy everything. He even had the audacity to let a shudra girl to enter the temple."

" Duryodhan isn't he the crown prince"

" No officialy no one is crown prince but the one who is truly worthy is Panduputra yudhishtir . I am sure you will love the pandavas and one among them is the weapon you are searching for Prince Arjun . I had sent warriors, pandits to teach them during the exile and I myself had seen the kids caliber. He indeed is the grandnephew of Bhishm"

" To be praised by you  he may be
extraordinary"

" It's my opinion but what matters is your opinion"

Dakshin and I then went to the royal palace but before meeting the king or queen he took me to meet rajamata kunti. When we entered the wing belong to Pandavas I saw target boards and arrows hit on the target aaurately. Then I saw a young boy holding a bow and aiming for a target . His stance showed how good he is.

" Prince Arjun" called Dakshin

" Mahaguru Dakshin what is the purpose of your visit" asked Arjun with respect.

" Prince, this is Parusharamashishya DRONA. He will be your gurudev. He is well versed in vedas laws economic politics and warfare"

Arjun put his bow down and touched my feet.