Drona
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Droṇa, also referred to as Dronacharya, is a major character of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He initially serves as the royal preceptor of the Kauravas and the Pandavas of the Kuru dynasty, and later e
Drona teaching archery to the Kuru princes, painting by Nandalal Bose
Bas relief of Drona, Angkor Wat
The Pandavas' Abhimanyu battles the Kauravas and their allies.
Drona battles his student, Arjuna.
Ashvatthama
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Ashvatthama is one of the major characters in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. He is the son of Drona, the royal preceptor to the Kuru princes—the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Ashvatthama is a close
Drona
…serves as the second commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army from the 11th to the 15th day. On the latter day, he is deceived into believing that his son Ashvatthaman has been slain; overwhelmed with grief, he lays down his arms and enters meditation on the battlefield. In this defenseless state, he is beheaded by…
Ashvatthama (right) departs after surrendering to Draupadi and the Pandavas, 18th century Pahari miniature
A folio from the Razmnama (Persian translation of the Mahabharata) depicting a battle between Dhrishtadyumna and Ashvatthama, c. 1598
An illustration from Razmnama depicting Ashvatthama firing Narayanastra, c. 16th century
Ashvatthama propitiates Shiva (top) before making a night attack on the sleeping Pandava camp (bottom). Folio from Razmnama