After Agniveshya, the younger brother among the sages, received the great fiery weapon, he bestowed it upon Drona, the foremost among the Bharatas, doing so in the presence of his elder sibling. In those days, there lived a king named Prishata, a close friend of the sage Bharadvaja, and Prishata’s son was Drupada. As young princes, Drupada and Drona would often be found together at the hermitage, playing and studying side by side, their bond deepened by shared learning and joy. But when King Prishata passed away, Drupada inherited the throne of the Panchalas in the north, ruling with strength and valor. Meanwhile, the venerable Bharadvaja ascended to the heavens, leaving behind his son Drona, who, endowed with great austerity, remained in the hermitage, devoted to penance. Drona, his sins burned away by his practices and his mind illumined by Vedic knowledge, was guided by the wishes of his ancestors and a longing for a son. In time, he became renowned. Drona then married Kripi, the daughter of Shardvat—a woman steadfast in her devotion to the sacred fire, to righteousness, and to self-discipline. From Gautami, he was blessed with a son, who, at the moment of his birth, neighed with a voice as loud and clear as that of the celestial horse, Ucchaihshravas. At that wondrous sound, a mysterious being dwelling in the sky proclaimed, “As a horse, his voice has resounded in all directions.” Thus, the boy was named Ashvatthama, and Bharadvaja was filled with joy at this extraordinary child. Drona, ever devoted to the science of archery, heard then of the great sage Jamadagni’s son—Bhargava Rama—famed for his mastery of all knowledge and his prowess with weapons, who at that time was distributing all his wealth to the Brahmanas. News reached Drona of Rama’s supreme skill in archery and divine weapons, as well as his wisdom in matters of statecraft. Inspired, Drona set his heart upon learning from him. Gathering his devoted disciples, Drona, mighty-armed and steadfast in austerity, set out for the great mountain Mahendra. Upon arriving, he beheld Bhargava Rama, the destroyer of Kshatriyas and subduer of foes. With his disciples, Drona approached the illustrious descendant of Bhrigu, announcing his own name and his birth in the Angirasa line. After bowing low and offering respectful salutations at Rama’s feet, Drona expressed his desire. Addressing the great-souled Jamadagni’s son, he said, “You are born of Bharadvaja, as am I—know me, O best of Brahmins, to be Drona, who has come seeking wealth.” Hearing this, Rama welcomed him warmly: “Welcome, best of Brahmins! Tell me, what do you desire?” Drona replied, “O Rama, best among warriors, who gives all manner of wealth, I, steadfast in my vows, seek from you inexhaustible wealth.” Rama answered, “All the gold and riches I possessed have been given to Brahmanas. Even this earth, bounded by the ocean and filled with cities, I have given to Kashyapa. Now only my body remains, along with my precious weapons and arms. Whether you desire my weapons, my body, or my arms, speak, O Brahmana—what shall I give you, Drona?” Drona asked, “Grant me all your weapons, O Bhargava, with their methods of withdrawal and their secret applications—give them to me in full. This, among all wealth, is indeed the highest.” Bhargava Rama agreed, and bestowed upon Drona all his weapons, together with their secret knowledge and the complete science of archery. Having thus received the highest of gifts, Drona, now accomplished in the ways of weapons, set out with a joyful heart toward Drupada, his dear friend. When Drona approached Drupada, he said to the king, “Know me here as your friend.” But Drupada, now a mighty ruler among men, did not welcome these words, despite their past affection. With brows furrowed in anger and resentment, his eyes reddened with pride, Drupada replied: “Your understanding, O Brahmana, is not proper. You insist, ‘I am your friend,’ but it is not so. Kings, exalted as they are, do not form friendships with men who are weak, deprived of prosperity, and fallen from wealth. Even friendships fade with time, as age overtakes them; my friendship with you was once bound by circumstance. In this world, friendship does not remain ageless in anyone’s heart; desire destroys it, and anger certainly separates it. Do not cling to this worn-out friendship, which you yourself have limited. Our friendship once existed, but it was bound by interest. A poor man is not the friend of the wealthy, nor an ignorant man of the learned; a coward is not the friend of a hero—what use is former friendship? Marriage and friendship are proper only between those whose wealth and knowledge are equal, not between the prosperous and the destitute. A non-ritualist is not the friend of a ritualist, nor a man without a chariot of one with a chariot; not even a king is the friend of another king—what use is former friendship?” Hearing these harsh words from Drupada, the mighty Drona, son of Bharadvaja, was filled with anger and silently pondered his next course of action.