DRONA

Drona joyfully agreed, and great archer as he already was, he became unrivalled master of the military art, worthy of eager welcome as preceptor in any princely house in that war like age.

Meanwhile, Drupada had ascended the throne of Panchala on the death of his father. Remembering their early intimacy and Drupada's expressions of readiness to serve him---even to the extent of sharing his kingdom-Drona went to him in the confident hope of being treated generously.

But he found the king very different from the student. When he introduced himself as an old friend, Drupada, far from being glad to see him, felt it an intolerable presumption.

Drunk with power and wealth, Drupada said: "Obrahmana, how dare you address me familiarly as your friend? What friendship can there be between a throned king and a wandering beggar? What a fool must you be to presume on some long past acquaintance to claim friend ship with a king who rules a kingdom?

Howcan a pauper be the friend of awealthy man, or an ignorant boor of a learned scholar, or a coward of a hero? Friendship can exist only between equals' A vagrant beggar cannot be the friend of a sove- reign." Drona was turned out of the palace with scorn in his ears and a blazing wrath in his heart.

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