Chapter 4 

                                                     Guru Dronacharya


1.What was the system of education before modern schools existed?

Answer: Long ago, there were no schools like we have today. Boys were sent to gurukuls, where they lived in an ashram with their teacher, called a Guru, and learned various subjects as well as physical skills.


2.Where did the boys live when they studied at gurukuls?

Answer: The boys lived in the ashram of their Guru, sharing all work among themselves and learning under the Guru’s guidance.


3.Who were called Gurus in ancient India?

Answer: The teachers at the gurukuls were called Gurus, and they taught the students various subjects, moral lessons, and physical skills like horse-riding and archery.


4.What subjects were taught at the gurukuls?

Answer: At gurukuls, students learned mathematics, grammar, holy books, horse-riding, and the use of weapons like bows, arrows, spears, swords, and clubs.


5.Who was the king of Hastinapur?

Answer: King Pandu was the king of Hastinapur, and he had five sons who were sent to study under Guru Dronacharya.


6.Why did King Pandu send his sons to Dronacharya?

Answer: He wanted his sons to be educated and trained in all aspects of life, including archery, fighting skills, and moral values, so they could become brave and responsible princes.


7.What was the relationship between Dronacharya and the five princes?

Answer: Dronacharya was very fond of the princes. They were intelligent, attentive, brave, and active, and the Guru loved and respected them.


8.What kind of training did Dronacharya give to the princes?

Answer: He trained them in archery, as well as in using spears, swords, and clubs, along with teaching moral lessons and academics.


9.What did Dronacharya want to teach the princes in the forest?

Answer: He wanted to give them a lesson in archery, showing them a clay bird on a tree and asking them to pierce its eye.


10.What did Dronacharya ask Yudhishthir when he pointed to the clay bird?

Answer: He asked Yudhishthir, "Tell me, what do you see?" and Yudhishthir replied that he could see the forest, trees, and sky, not focusing on the bird’s eye.


11.What did Bhim see when Dronacharya asked him?

Answer: Bhim, the second prince, said he could see the stream, showing that he was not fully focused on the task.


12.What did the youngest prince see?

Answer: The youngest prince said he could see the sun and clouds, again indicating a lack of concentration on the clay bird.


13.How did Arjun respond when asked what he saw?

Answer: Arjun folded his hands and said, “You have asked me to pierce the bird’s eye. Right now I can see nothing but the eye of the bird,” showing complete focus.


14.Why was Dronacharya happy with Arjun’s answer?

Answer: Dronacharya was happy because Arjun showed full concentration on the task and put his heart into his work, which is the key to mastery.


15.What blessing did Dronacharya give to Arjun?

Answer: He said, “Arjun! One day you will be the greatest archer of Hastinapur because you put your heart in the work you do.”


16.Did Dronacharya’s words about Arjun come true?

Answer: Yes, when Arjun grew up, nobody could match him in archery, fulfilling Dronacharya’s prediction.


17.What was the purpose of asking the princes what they saw?

Answer: The purpose was to test their focus and concentration, to see who truly paid attention to the task at hand.


18.What qualities did Dronacharya value in his students?

Answer: He valued intelligence, attentiveness, bravery, concentration, and putting one’s heart into work.


19.How did the princes live in the gurukul?

Answer: They shared all work, respected the Guru, learned skills, and trained in academics and martial arts in a disciplined environment.


20.What types of weapons did Dronacharya teach the princes to use?

Answer: He taught them to use bows and arrows, spears, swords, and clubs.


21.Why were the princes attentive and brave?

Answer: Because they were disciplined, respectful of their Guru, and eager to learn, which made them attentive and brave.


22.What did Dronacharya use to teach archery to the princes?

Answer: He used a clay bird placed on a tree as a target to teach them precision and focus.


23.What is the moral of the lesson Dronacharya gave to the princes?

Answer: The moral is that focus and putting one’s heart into work leads to mastery and success.


24.Why did Arjun stand out among his brothers?

Answer: Arjun stood out because he concentrated fully on the task and did not get distracted by the surroundings.


25.What role did the Guru play in the princes’ education?

Answer: The Guru was a mentor, teacher, and guide, providing both academic and martial training along with moral lessons.


26.Why was it important for the princes to learn archery?

Answer: Archery was an essential skill for warriors and kings, and it helped the princes develop discipline, focus, and courage.


27.How did the princes show respect to Dronacharya?

Answer: They listened attentively, followed his instructions, and learned the skills with dedication.


28.Why did Dronacharya take the princes to a different part of the forest?

Answer: He took them to another part of the forest to give practical training in archery and observe their skills in a natural setting.


29.What lesson did Dronacharya teach through the clay bird exercise?

Answer: He taught that success requires concentration, focus, and dedication, not just looking at the bigger picture.


30.What does “put your heart in the work” mean in the story?

Answer: It means to focus completely, be dedicated, and give your full effort to whatever you are doing.


31.How were the princes trained besides academics?

Answer: They were trained in horse-riding, use of weapons, physical fitness, and moral values.


32.Why is Arjun remembered as the greatest archer?

Answer: Because he practiced diligently, focused fully, and applied the teachings of Dronacharya throughout his life.


33.What qualities did the youngest prince display in the test?

Answer: The youngest prince was distracted, noticing the sun and clouds, showing that he lacked full concentration.


34.How did Dronacharya reward focus and attentiveness?

Answer: He praised Arjun and blessed him, promising that he would become the greatest archer due to his concentration.


35.What does the story teach about discipline in learning?

Answer: It teaches that discipline, respect for teachers, and focused practice are essential for achieving excellence.


36.What can we learn from Yudhishthir’s observation?

Answer: That seeing too much at once without focus can distract us from the main goal, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing attention.


37.How did Dronacharya evaluate his students?

Answer: He evaluated them based on their focus, attentiveness, bravery, and ability to follow instructions.


38.What role did the ashram environment play in the princes’ learning?

Answer: The ashram provided a disciplined and cooperative environment where students shared work and learned both academics and practical skills.


39.How does the story reflect ancient Indian education methods?

Answer: It shows that education focused on holistic development: academics, martial skills, moral values, discipline, and character building.


40.Why is the lesson of Guru Dronacharya still relevant today?

Answer: Because it teaches focus, dedication, respect for teachers, discipline, and putting one’s heart into work, which are timeless qualities for success in any field.

Answer by Mrinmoee