Drona and Drupada were great friends during their childhood days. However, they later became enemies. This is an important story in the Mahabharata and it had far reaching consequences. Drona and Drupada were students of Bharadwaja. During the time of education both Drupada and Drona became great friends. Drupada was the son of King Prsata, who ruled Panchala. Drona was a poor Brahmin. When they were students, Drupada had promised Drona that he would help him financially when he becomes the king of Panchala. After education, both returned to their respective places. Drona became a great archer but remained poor. He got married and had a son, Ashwathama. He found it difficult to make both ends meet. Fed up with poverty, Drona one day approached Drupada who was now the king of Panchala. However, King Drupada did not care to recognize Drona as a friend. When Drona tried to remind him of their friendship, Drupada insulted him. Drona then vowed to avenge the insult.