द्रोण की आत्मकथा

by Manu Sharma

"क्या तुम्हें मालूम नहीं कि मैं तुम्हारा मित्र हूँ?'' '' मित्र! हा-हा-हा!'' वह जोर से हँसा, '' मित्रता! कैसी मित्रता? हमारी-तुम्हारी, राजा और रंक की मित्रता ही कैसी?'' '' क्या बात करते हो, द्रुपद!'' '' ठीक कहता हूँ द्रोण! तुम रह गए मूढ़-के- मूढ़! जानते नहीं हो, वय के साथ-साथ मित्रता भी पुरानी पड़ती है, धूमिल होती है और मिट जाती है । हो सकता है, कभी तुम हमारे मित्र रहे हो; पर अब समय की झंझा में तुम्हारी मित्रता उड़ चुकी है । '' '' हमारी मित्रता नहीं वरन् तुम्हारा विवेक उड़ चुका है । और वह भी समय की झंझा में नहीं वरन् तुम्हारे राजमद की झंझा में । पांडु रोगी को जैसे समस्त सृष्‍ट‌ि ही पीतवर्णी दिखाई देती है वैसे ही तुम्हारी मूढ़ता भी दूसरों को मूढ़ ही देखती है । '' '' देखती होगी । '' वह बीच में ही बोल उठा और मुसकराया, '' कहीं कोई दरिद्र किसी राजा को अपना सखा समझे, कोई कायर शूरवीर को अपना मित्र समझे तो मूढ़ नहीं तो और क्या समझा जाएगा?'' ''.. .किंतु मूढ़ समझने की धृष्‍टता करनेवाले, द्रुपद! राजमद ने तेरी बुद्धि भ्रष्‍ट कर दी है । तू यह भी नहीं सोच पा रहा है कि तू किससे और कैसी बातें कर रहा है! तुझे अपनी कही हुई बातें भी शायद याद नहीं हैं । तू मेरे पिताजी के शिष्यत्व को तो भुला ही बैठा, अग्निवेश्य के आश्रम में मेरी सेवा भी तूने भुला दी । '' -इसी पुस्तक से

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drona Ki Atmkatha by Manu Sharma- Great Indian Epic Mahabharata story has been re-told by the author is parts- series of Books- (1) Karn Ki Atmkatha, (2) Draupadi Ki Atmkatha, (3) Rajsooya yagn, (4) Laksha grah, (5) Pralay, (6) Dwarka Ki Sthapana, (7) Durabhi sandhi, (8) KhandavaDah, (9) Gandhari ki Atmkatha, (10) Narad Ki Bhavishyavani, (11) Sangharsh etc. In the present Book Drona Ki Atmkatha, author has analysed .Drona’s birth, his upbringing in Bhardwaj Ashram, building of character, analysis of art of use of bow and arrow and use of celestial weapons, friendship with Drupad, etc. In a way that the reader is attracted to continue to read. The Book does not have chapter numbers. A new chapter begins without a heading/ or title. Main characters are Drona, his parents, Kripi, Kripacharya, Ashwasthama, Bhishma, Shantanu, Pandavas, Kurus, Drupad, Karn, Parashuram, Dhritrashtra, Kunti, Adhirath, Gandhari, Vidur, Eklava, first question which appears is that during this period, students went to Ashrams of well-known saints/ teachers for education, knowledge of Hindu religious scriptures, policy, etc. After completion, the Kshatriya's went to another teacher to learn horse riding, fighting, wrestling, use of bow-arrow, mace, javelin, sword, etc. Whether Brahmin or Kshatriya, all had to attend an ashram. While Drona was learning in Parashuram Ashram, his father Bhardwaj expired. His ashram could not function in absence of capable teachers. When Drona returned, he found the Ashram closed and wife and son Ashwasthama living in dire poverty. Kripi, his wife was brought up by Shantanu, Kuru King at Hastinapur. She has not witnessed poverty. In order to improve his financial situation, Drona first went to meet Durpad, his classmate for help but Drupad refused to help. Drona was trained in use of various arms by Agnivesh and then by Parashuram. In Hastinapur, Dhritrashtra’s Kuru children did not wish to join any ashram, as living was tough in ashrams. All students were equal and palace facility were not provided. Therefore, initially, both Kurus and Pandavas were taught by Kripacharya in the palace and later when they found that Drona was better in use of various arms, they opted for Drona who taught them in an enclosure within the Kuru palace. Ashrams considered that Drona had sold his knowledge for money by joining Kurus as a paid teacher. Drona did not take Eklavya as his student because he was a tribal but he demanded Gurudakhina from him. Thus, his students and people were confirmed about his double standards. Drona endeavoured equally on all his disciples but use of weapons needs practice for perfection and eagerness to learn new techniques. Arjuna was eager to learn and practice. In his comparison, Ashwasthama kept aloof from his father, thus he could not equal Arjuna. Competition between Kurus and Pandavas was existing. In Gurudakshina, Drona was that King of Panchal, Drupad be fought, defeated, tied and brought before him. Kurus with Karna tried but failed. Pandavas attempted and succeeded. Arjuna proved his capabity. When Drupad was brought before Drona, Drupad bravely faced Drona. Drupad said that Drona was Drona was a slave of his greed, enmity, ill-wishes. He thought that by diving Drupad empire into two parts, he could hope for friendship between them, but lasting friendship does not germinate on the ground of enmity. between them, this was not possible as on the ground. Thus, Ahichatra city became capital of Drona’s part of Panchal empire. Manu Sharma’s books on Epic Mahabharata mentions certain facts which I have not read in other books on Mahabharata. First, after it was decided that Yudhistar should be declared Crown Prince, Yudhistar came to Drona’s residence for his blessings. Second, Arjuna defeated Duttamitra, King of Sauveer in war. King of Sauveer was one who had defeated King Pandu in war. Third, Bhim joined school of Balram for wrestling and mace fighting. Sahdev joined School of Vrihaspati for Policy matters. One day, Drona and Duryodhana with his brothers went for hunting. Drona and Duryodhana were on one chariot. Other chariots could not follow them. After hunting was complete, it started to rain. Both took shelter in the Hermitage of a Rishi. When introduced, Drona as son of Bhardwaj, he said that you should have made an effort to run your father’s hermitage but instead you joined as a paid teacher. To Duryodhana, he said that jealousy is like fire, it has ultimately to turn into ash. Second, that you will have to take shelter in water to cool the heat in your body. Puloma was a beautiful young maid servant in Hastinapur palace. One of kuru brother tried to molest her but she saved herself. Thus, she was in favour of Pandavas. Whenever she got news about Kuru plans, she informed Kripi and Krona about the news. Puloma informed Drona that Varanvat, a place near Hastinpur was planned to developed. She informed that Duryodhana asked her to serve him Maireya, a hard drink. When he was drunk, he asked to come on his bed. She tried to run away. Duryodhana said that soon Pandavas will be burned at Varanvat and she will have to be his mate in bed. She also said that Vidur knows about the plan and he will certainly find a solution to save Pandavas. While Drona was staying at his capital Ahichatra, he was informed by his son Aswasthama that Pandavas, Kunit and Purochan, under whose supervision palace in Varnavat was constructed, caught fire and all were burned in the fire. Dhritrashtra sent Puloma and Sureka to Ahichatra to deliver a letter to Drona. The letter informed about death of Pandavas and Kunti. Surekha informed that when Dhritrashtra visited Vidur’s house, Vidur said that it is not possible to for fire to burn a pious person and a person who has done no wrong to others. Fire could not burn Ram’s wife Sita, Prahad. Vidur ended his sentence by stating that in God’s world everything is possible. Drupadi’s swayamvar was organised. Drona permitted Ashwasthama to participate. After a few days, Vidur gave the news that Draupadi had married one member of the family. Dhritrashtra understood that Duryodhana had won the bow arrow contest and Draupadi had married him. Joy and celebration started in Hastinapur. Later, Vidur said that Pandavas are alive and Arjuna had won, Draupadi had married him. Two days later, Duryodhana and Ashwasthama returned back of Hastinpur. Both were injured. Drona was sad. At one time. Drona had asked Pandavas to arrest Drupad alive, today Drupad had arrested Arjuna by marriage with his daughter. His dream of be-littleing Drupad had been shattered. While Drona was at Ahichatra, Dhritrashtra invited him to attend an important meeting at Hastinapur. After entering Hastinapur palace, he saw Puloma who informed him that Dhritrashtra wishes to invite Pandavas back to Hastinapur therefore, a meeting has been called immediately. Drona met Vidur and Bhisma. Later, all three reached the meeting hall separately. Durydhana and Karna were sitting in the meeting hall. Bhishma came and questioned whether Dhritrashtra wished to take advice from them or from Karna and Duryodhana? Dhritrashtra ordered both to go out of the meeting hall. Bhishma informed that the people of Hastinapur consider that Dhritrashtra is responsible for Varanvat incident. Therefore, in order to please the people, he must send a royal emissary to Drupad’s palace at Panchal and invite them along with Draupadi. Pandavas returned to Hastinapur. They met Drona. Drona was impressed with Panchali. She was unlike her father. She was a bit dark skinned but she was bright like fire. Later, Eklavaya visited his palace at Ahichatra to congratulate him on marriage of Arjuna with Draupadi. Kripi blessed him and provided him with gifts. Drona was informed that Kingdom of Hastinapur has been partitioned into two parts, Hastinapur on the banks of river Ganga and Khandavaprastha on the banks of river Yamuna. Pandavas have shifted to Khanavprastha. Arjuna came to Ahichatra to invite Drona to Khandavaprastha. Here he met Shri Krishna. First thing which impressed him about Shri Krishna was that his ideas and plans were clear and well-reasoned. Shri Krishna planned to burn all the forest area of Khandvaprastha and construct a large well-designed city with a palace. Within some months, planned city took shape. It was better than Hastinapur. Drona planned two days at Hastinapur and rest five days at Ahichatra city. Once he met Vidur who informed him that both Kurus and Pandvas are not bothered heed to his advice. Pandavas are ambitious and wish to fulfill their aspirations while Kurus want to pull the ground under their feet. Kurus are bitter, they have grudges, envy and insecurity from Pandavas. Now, Pandavas plan to perform Rajsuya yagn. Drona and Vidur discuss the grave situation. Vidur explained that Shri Krishna, Kunti’s brother’s son who is a politician and planner. He supports Pandavas to perform Rajsuya yagn. First, with the help of Pandavas he will attempt to kill Jarasandh, King of Magadha. Jarasandh has defeated Shri Krishna many times. Shri Krishna had to leave Mathura with all his Yadavas and settle in Dwarka. After killing Jarasandh, he will free all kings who have been captured and imprisoned. He will free them so that they remain faithful to Pandavas. Kurus are informing this to Jarasandh. Thus, Jarasandh is confused about how things will shape in future. Some days later, Drona was informed that Shri Krishna, Arjuna and Bhim visited Magadh. Jarasandh has been killed in wrestling bout with Bhim. All kings arrested by Jarasandh have been released and they have accepted Pandavas as their King. Rajsuya yagn was planned. Yudhistar visited Drona to invite him. He informed that they had visited Hastinapur and Dhritrashtra and all others were coming. They met Ashwasthama also and invited him personally. Rajsuya jagn was a grand show. Indraprastha was decorated. Work was distributed between family members. Dushshasan for food, Duryodhana to provide gifts to guests, Kripacharya to receive gifts from invitees, Ashwasthama to receive Brahmins. Shri Krishna was washing feet of Brahmins. Drona and Bhihma were over all incharge of arrangements. Rishi Dhaumya performed puja. Bhishma and Drona talked about the function. Agra Puja was to be done. Pandavas wished that Shri Krishna’s name should be chosen. Bhishma when asked suggested the name of Shri Krishna. Sahdev started agra puja. King Shishupal of Chedi opposed this. He said that Shri Kirshna was not a King, he was not a Brahmin, He was not an elderly person. While Kripa, Drona, Dhaumya, Vyas were present. They should be chosen. Shishupal rose, took out his sword and challenged all who disagreed with him. Shri Krishna took out his chakra and cut his throat. Silence prevailed. Function ended. All returned. Drona concluded that Bhishma's opinion went along with the opinion of the present host. This book has been written from the point of view of what Drona witnessed. After returning from Indraprastha, Drona visited Dhritrashtra. They talked about religion, morality but deep inside his heart he had buried his animosity towards Pandavas. This never came out. Palace servants and maids also avoided Drona because the Kuru did not trust him. They considered him to be kind to Arjuna though this was not the case. In order to understand the present situation, Drona decided to meet Vidur. Vidur was of the same age as Drona therefore, they could talk as friends. Vidur’s wife Sulakshana was born to a Brahmin father and shudra mother in the palace of King Devak, Shri Krishna’s mother Devaki’s father. She was fair in complexion and quite beautiful for her age. Drona could joke with her. Drona met Vidur. They talked about what was the effect of Gandhari’s thinking on Dhritrashtra. Gandhari emphasised on Dhritrashtra to favour Duryodhana. She hid the misdeeds of her children. Drona said that people feel that Vidur is responsible for saving the life of Pandavas from Varnavat fire. Sage Vyas prophesied that coming 13 years will be difficult for Pandavas. Just then Shakuni entered. He narrated the incident that when Duryodhana went to meet Draupadi in her palace, he could not see the water pond and thought that it is floor and fell down. Draupadi laughed at this incident. He said that they planned to bring the Pandavas down. Shakuni said that he can do everything with dice. Shakuni informed Drona that Drupad’s son Dristadumna has been born with the boon that he shall kill Drona.

Other books on Mahabharata are talks between main characters- Kurus, Pandavas, Draupadi, Shri Krishna and their talks inter se. This book unique because information about the acts and plans of main characters comes to Drona mostly from Ashwasthama, Vidur or from palace maids, servants. Ashwasthama informed Drona that at the time of swayamvar of Draupadi, when Karna attempted to pick the bow, Draupadi said that she will not marry Karna as he was not a Kshatriya. Karna said that her father Drupad had invited Karna in writing to participate in the contest. Drupad also confirmed that the only condition for participation was capability to hit the eye of the moving fish by viewing its image in the shaking water bowl. Still she did not agree. People said that as she was of Yagn fire, she is strong headed, rude and does not change her opinion. Ahichatra nagar is not far away from Hastinapur, therefore, people travel to and fro. In Ahichatra nagar, Puloma, the maid visits him. She informs that Dhritrashtra has been convinced by Gandhari and Shakuni that Pandavas should be invited to Hastinapur to play a game of role of dice. After some months Drona visited Vishnupur fair within his territory. Here those persons caught by the police were tried by a court. One case was typical. According to Hindu scriptures, a Brahmin should not sell salt, wine, honey, animals, milk and food. This man though dressed as a trader, was really a Brahmin and he was selling salt in the fair. Drona thought that he had seen the person somewhere and he knew him, therefore, he ordered that he would hear him when he is alone. All others left the room. The person said that he was Anand, who served a pujari in Shiv temple inside Hastinpur palace. He said that Duryodhana killed Pramath, Deputy Minister to Vidur. The killers saw him as an eyewitness, caught him and Duryodhana order to kill him. Captors asked him to go away from Hastinapur and live incognito. Drona ordered that the person be brought to the palace lockup. Puloma visited Drona again. She was quite tired and afraid. She informed Drona that Pramath was killed by Duryodhana because he advised Dhritrashtra that before deciding to invite Pandavas to play the game of dice, he should take advice of Vidur. Puloma also informed that Shakuni had prepared dice pawns which cane up as pre-decided numbers. Vidur is possibly not aware about these dice pawns. Puloma informed Drona that she went to Indraprastha to

[Alok Rai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the hindi novels which I couldn't put down once I started. We all know the story of Mahabharata upto some extent but reading it with some honest, unbiased and true character like Dronacharya's point of view, this was amazing.

Dronacharya was one of the most eminent personality of Mahabharata. Apart from some phases of his life he was always with truth and just. Manu Sharma has described the whole Mahabharata in the eyes of Dronacharya and his inner core philosophy. I found this book really catchy and believe me after reading this book you will realize that you know very less of Maharata. There are a lot that we don't know and this book is definitely successful in passing the information along with Philosophy of Dronacharya.