Drona is the son of the sage Bharadwaja. His birth was miraculous and unusual. While watching an apsara, his father’s seed fell into a vessel from which Drona then emerged (drona is the Sanskrit word for “vessel”). Later, after marrying Kripi, sister of Kripa (the royal preceptor of the Kuru kingdom), Drona has a son named Ashwatthama.

Seeking means to support his family, Drona approaches his childhood friend Drupada, now the king of Panchala, to ask for assistance. However, Drupada dismisses him, claiming that friendship can only exist between equals. Humiliated by this rejection, Drona vows to avenge the insult.

However, Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, appoints Drona as the princes’ instructor, recognizing Drona’s unparalleled expertise. Under Drona’s guidance, the princes—both the Pandavas and the Kauravas—become highly skilled warriors. Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, stands out for his exceptional dedication and talent in archery, which earns Drona a special favor.

A notable episode involves Ekalavya, a prince of the Nishada tribe. Denied formal instruction due to his social status, Ekalavya crafts a clay image of Drona and teaches himself archery, eventually surpassing many of Drona’s students. When Drona learns of this, he asks Ekalavya for his right thumb as a teacher’s fee.