Dhristadyumna: Encyclopedia II - Dhristadyumna - Birth

Dhristadyumna - Birth

The king of the Panchalas, Drupada undertakes a putrakami yagna, a sacrifice to please the Gods and obtain offspring by their blessing. Drupada desires a son who can kill Drona, the Kuru martial guru who had humiliated him in battle and taken half his kingdom, even though it was Drupada who had reneged a promise made to his childhood friend Drona, that he would share his kingdom with him.

With the help of two brahmins, Drupada undertakes the sacrifice. After his wife takes the sacrificial offerings, out of the fire jumps an effulgent young boy, who quickly grows into a powerful young man before their very eyes. He is already bestowed with great martial and religious knowledge.

Even though he is the prophesized killer of Drona, he is accepted by Drona to join his school for young princes, where he learns the advanced military arts.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Birth", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki