Dronacharya was born to the sage Bharadwaja and a vessel (Droni) of great spiritual power. He received education from his father and became proficient in the Vedas and the art of warfare. He later became the teacher (guru) of many princes, including the Kauravas and Pandavas.

Dronacharya played a significant role in the events leading up to the Kurukshetra War. He was appointed as the teacher for the Kuru princes, both Kauravas and Pandavas, in their youth. Dronacharya taught archery and military arts to these princes, imparting his knowledge to them.

One of the notable incidents involving Dronacharya was his encounter with Ekalavya, a young tribal prince who approached him to become his disciple. Dronacharya, due to his bias against Ekalavya (who belonged to a lower caste), asked for Ekalavya’s thumb as his fee, making it impossible for Ekalavya to excel in archery.

During the Kurukshetra War, Dronacharya fought on the side of the Kauravas. His death is a tragic episode in the Mahabharata. He was tricked into believing that his son Ashwatthama had been killed, and in his grief, he lowered his weapons. Taking advantage of his vulnerable moment, Dhrishtadyumna, the commander-in-chief of the Pandavas, beheaded him, leading to his demise on the battlefield.

Dronacharya is remembered as a revered teacher and a master of archery in Indian mythology. His character raises complex moral questions, particularly regarding his treatment of Ekalavya and his participation in the Kurukshetra War.

Dronacharya’s teachings and the ethical dilemmas associated with his character continue to be subjects of philosophical discussions and debates in Indian culture, reflecting the multifaceted nature of his legacy in Hindu mythology.