Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.1046

c5.1046

6) *Arjuna is accorded sanction to fight with his teacher.* One year after the revenge on Drupada Yudhiṣṭhira was anointed as heir-apparent, by Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Once, in the council of the king, Droṇa called Arjuna to him and said: “Oh, Arjuna ! you must take an oath to do a particular thing in the presence of your relatives. If it happens that I oppose you in battle you should fight against me without thinking that I am your teacher. This oath is your gift to your teacher.” Arjuna agreed and took the oath in the presence of the people. Because there was such an oath Arjuna’s conscience did not prick him when he had to fight against his teacher Droṇa in the battle of Bhārata between the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas. (M. B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 139).