The Capture of Drupada (Mahabharata Series 45)

The Capture of Drupada (Mahabharata Series 45)

Seeing his army being devastated by the sharp and deadly arrows of Arjuna, Panchala King Drupada himself advanced toward Partha, accompanied by his chief commander, Satyajit.

A terrible battle broke out between Partha and the King of Panchala. Arjuna began advancing toward Drupada, intent on capturing him beneath a relentless shower of arrows. Seeing this, Satyajit rushed forward and engaged Arjuna in combat.

Arjuna struck Satyajit with ten arrows that pierced deeply into his body. Enduring the pain, Satyajit retaliated by shooting a hundred arrows at Partha. Arjuna, however, swiftly severed Satyajit's bow with his own arrows.

Undeterred, Satyajit seized another bow and once again blocked Arjuna's path. As Partha was advancing rapidly toward Drupada, Satyajit showered sharp arrows upon him, striking both Arjuna and his charioteer, as well as the horses harnessed to his chariot.

Struck by Satyajit's arrows, Partha immediately retaliated with a relentless stream of shafts. He destroyed Satyajit's chariot, horses, charioteer, and the warriors protecting his chariot. Finally, he cut Satyajit's bow to pieces. Deprived of his means to continue the battle, Satyajit was forced to withdraw from the fight.

Seeing his commander defeated, Drupada himself charged toward Arjuna and began shooting arrows at him. A fierce and terrifying battle then commenced between the two great warriors.

Arjuna first cut Drupada's bow to pieces. He then severed the flagstaff of the king's chariot and struck his charioteer and horses with a shower of arrows. Before Drupada could even comprehend what was happening, Arjuna, sword in hand, let out a mighty lion's roar and leapt into the king's chariot.

Just as Garuda churns the ocean and seizes the serpent hidden within it, Arjuna entered Drupada's chariot and captured the king with the aid of his sword.

Seeing their king captured and carried away in Arjuna's chariot, the Panchala army scattered in all directions.

Arjuna, roaring like a lion and carrying the captured Drupada away in his chariot, inspired the Kuru princes with great excitement. They prepared to enter the now-unprotected city of Drupada and destroy it.

Partha, however, prevented Bhimasena from allowing such unnecessary destruction to take place. He brought the captured Drupada, along with his ministers, before his teacher Dronacharya.

By then, all the pride of Drupada had completely vanished. The battle had also caused enormous loss and destruction.

When Drona saw Drupada standing helplessly before him, he remembered the words that had once caused their enmity. Addressing him, he said:

“Drupada! I have defeated you and brought your kingdom under my control. Your very life is now in my hands. Today, I am the victor and you are the defeated. Even now, do you desire our former friendship? Can the friendship that once existed between us be restored?”

Drona continued with a faint smile:

“O valiant king, do not fear for your life. We Brahmins are ever forgiving—Kshamino Brahmana vayam. When we were both living in the hermitage, affection and friendship grew between us. Let that friendship be restored.”

He then declared:

“Prarthayeyam tvaya sakhyam punareva janadhipa;

Varam dadami te rajan rajyasyardham avapnuhi.”

“O foremost among Kshatriyas! I once again seek your friendship. As a token of our renewed friendship, I shall give you half of the entire kingdom I have conquered from you. Drupada, invading your kingdom became necessary only because I wished to regain your friendship.”

Drona reminded Drupada of his former words:

“You had declared that one who was not a king could not be the friend of a king. O Yajnasena, it was because of those words that I strove to conquer your kingdom and become a king myself.”

He continued:

“Now that I have conquered your undivided kingdom and acquired kingship, I still desire your friendship. Therefore, I shall return half of your kingdom to you and restore you as a king.”

Finally, Drona said:

“Rajasi dakshine kule Bhagirathy aham uttare;

Sakhayam mam vijanihi Panchala yadi manyase.”

“You shall be king of the territories on the southern bank of the river Bhagirathi, while I shall rule the territories on its northern bank. If this is acceptable to you, O Panchala, regard me once again as your friend.”

Thus, having conquered Drupada, Drona did not take his entire kingdom for himself. Instead, he divided Panchala between them and offered Drupada half the kingdom, thereby transforming their bitter rivalry into a renewed friendship—at least in outward form.