01.128
Core:Drona defeats Drupada with the help of his disciple and returns half the kingdom.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Then Droṇa, having assembled all his disciples, urged them completely for the sake of their teacher, O king, to bring the offering.
Capture Drupada, king of the Pāñcālas, in battle and bring him; that shall be your supreme offering. Blessings upon you.
Saying “so be it,” all of them quickly went with their chariots as warriors, united with Droṇa for the teacher's offering.
Then those best among men attacked the Pāñcālas, and crushed the city of the mighty Drupada.
The best of the Bharatas captured Yajñasena Drupada in battle and brought him, along with his ministers, to Droṇa.
Seeing Drupada, whose pride was broken, wealth taken, and brought under control, Droṇa, reflecting upon the enmity in his mind, spoke to him.
Having crushed your kingdom and city with force, and now having you under my control while alive—what is to be desired of a former friend?
Thus speaking and smiling, he resolved and again said: “Fear not for your life, O king. We Brāhmaṇas are forgiving.”
O best of Kṣatriyas, the games we played together in our childhood in the hermitage—by that, my affection for you has grown.
I seek friendship from you once again, O best of men. I grant you a boon, O king—obtain half of your kingdom.
One without a kingdom is indeed unworthy of being a friend to kings. Therefore, O Yajñasena, I exerted myself to gain you a kingdom.
You are king on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā; I am on the northern. Know me as your friend, O Pāñcāla, if you consider it right.
Drupada said:
O Brāhmaṇa, this is not surprising among the valiant and great souls. I am pleased with you and desire eternal friendship from you.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Thus addressed, Droṇa released him, O Bhārata, and, honoring him with a pleased heart, gave him half the kingdom.
He, with a dejected mind, dwelled at Mākanḍī on the bank of the Gaṅgā, a territory with people, and in the excellent city of Kāmpilya, and ruled the southern Pāñcāla region up to the river Carmaṇvatī.
Drupada, remembering his enmity with Droṇa, did not cease from it. With Kṣatriya power, he saw no defeat of him.
Knowing himself as deficient in strength compared to the Brāhmaṇa, and desiring a son, the king held that in mind. Droṇa attained the territory of Ahicchatra.
Thus, O king, the city of Ahicchatra with its region, having been conquered in battle by Arjuna, was given to Droṇa.
