Why Did Duryodhana Approach Dronacharya?

In the epic Mahabharata, the commencement of the great war is marked by a subtle yet strategic move by Duryodhana, the antagonist of the tale. Instead of approaching Bhishma, the appointed commander in chief of the Kaurava army, Duryodhana chooses to seek out Dronacharya, the revered teacher of both Kauravas and Pandavas.

दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा ।
आचार्यमुपसंगम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṁ vyūḍhaṁ duryodhanastadā,
ācāryamupasaṁgamya rājā vacanamabravīt.

Then the prince Duryodhana, having seen the army of the Pandavas arrayed in battle order, approached his teacher and spoke few words. Gita, 1.2

The brilliance of Duryodhana’s move lies in the understanding of the intricate web of enmities that exists among the key players. Dronacharya harbors a deep-seated animosity towards King Drupada, rooted in historical grievances. Sensing this vulnerability, Duryodhana deftly employs high diplomacy by reminding Drona of his longstanding enmity with Drupada. By pointing out to him that the revered teacher should remember that the commander in chief of the Pandava army is none other than Dhrishtadyumna, his disciple and the son of Drupada.

पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् ।
व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥

paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmācārya mahatīṁ camūm,
vyūḍhāṁ drupadaputreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā.

Behold this mighty host of the sons of Pandu, O Acharya, arrayed by Drupada’s son, thy intelligent disciple. Gita, 1.3

[The enmity between Drupad and Drona has its roots in a poignant tale of friendship, betrayal, and revenge. In their youth, Dronacharya and Drupad were close friends, studying together under the same teacher. However, as destiny unfolded, their paths diverged.

Dronacharya, despite his humble background, aspired to master the art of warfare. When he approached his friend Drupad, who had become a king by then, seeking assistance, Drupad disdainfully rejected him. The rejection left a lasting scar on Dronacharya, who, fueled by wounded pride and a sense of injustice, vowed to seek revenge.

Driven by his determination, Dronacharya immersed himself in the study of military arts and eventually became a formidable warrior and teacher. When he later approached Drupad, now a powerful king, seeking assistance, the tables had turned. Drupad, blinded by his arrogance, mocked Dronacharya and refused to acknowledge their past friendship.

The deep-seated resentment and humiliation experienced by Dronacharya fueled the enmity between the two. Dronacharya’s decision to train the Kauravas and Pandavas in warfare, including his reminder by Duryodhana during the Mahabharata war, were manifestations of this unresolved animosity.

This tale of friendship soured by pride and revenge adds a layer of complexity to the Mahabharata, highlighting the consequences of personal choices and the enduring impact of unresolved conflicts.]

This tale of Duryodhana approaching Dronacharya in the beginning of the Mahabharata war, resonates with a timeless strategy employed in various realms of life — the art of leveraging personal vendettas to achieve one’s objectives. By appealing to an individual’s animosity, one can ignite a fervor that propels them to act with heightened aggression and determination. Duryodhan’s choice to remind Drona of his enmity with Drupad serves as a poignant example of this manipulation.

However, the crux of the matter lies in the moral underpinnings of such a strategy. While it may yield immediate results and create an illusion of progress, the foundation upon which it rests is often shaky and unsustainable. The driving force behind actions fueled by personal vendettas is inherently asuric (demonic) and morally questionable.

In contemporary scenarios, the echoes of Duryodhana’s strategy can be observed in various spheres — from politics to corporate dealings, even to academia. The temptation to exploit personal animosities to achieve short-term gains is ever-present. Yet, it is essential to question the ethical implications of such maneuvers.

The enduring lesson from the Mahabharata narrative is a cautionary tale about the consequences of building endeavors on a foundation of deceit and manipulation. While Duryodhana’s tactics may have seemed effective in the moment, the long-term sustainability of his approach is questionable.

In our own lives, it becomes imperative to reflect on the means we employ to achieve our goals. Is the path we choose driven by ethical considerations, or are we inadvertently treading the slippery slope of manipulation? The Mahabharata, with its rich range of characters and moral dilemmas, continues to offer timeless insights into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of our choices.

-Sampadananda Mishra