[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c8.1709 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1709 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c8.1709 - **Language:** English ### [c8.1709](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1709) Drupada insulted Droṇa his classmate in the Gurukula and Droṇa kept in mind the insult to wreak vengeance on Drupada. Drupada, therefore, wanted a son to be born who would defeat Droṇa in a battle. Brahmins advised him to conduct a Yāga for that purpose. He decided to conduct one on a large scale and went about in search of a Yajvā (one who performs sacrifices according to Vedic rites) and reached Kalmāṣapurī on the banks of the river Gaṅgā. There he saw a brahmin's house where lived two sages named Yāja and Upayāja. They were in figure and nature alike. At first Drupada went to the younger of the two, Upayāja. He went near him and after massaging his feet and legs requested him to officiate in a Yāga aimed at getting for him a son to conquer Droṇa in a battle. He promised to give him ten crores of cattle for that and also anything else the sage wanted. These promises did not make the sage consent to conduct the Yāga and so the King stayed at the āśrama serving the sage. A year went by and one day the sage appeared cheerful and told Drupada thus: "Oh King, my brother who was walking one day in a storm saw a fruit lying on his way and ate it without first ascertaining whether the fruit was pure or not. Again, I have seen him taking food from others freely and eating it. I think he is wishful about wealth and, perhaps, if you approach him he may help you." Drupada went to Yāja and after serving him to please him made his request promising him much wealth. Yāja was ready to perform the Yajña. Upayāja came to them at that time and Yāja consulted his brother before going to perform the Yajña. The Yāga was successfully conducted and at the end the priest Yāja called the wife of Drupada and gave her havya (clarified butter). Because the havya was prepared by Yāja and was offered by Upayāja the sages said that the queen would get two children. While Yāja was offering oblations to the sacrificial fire a boy with a crown on his head and bearing a sword and a bow in his hands rose from the fire. The ṛṣis present there then said that, boy would kill Droṇa. He was named Dhṛṣṭadyumna. Then from the dais of the Yāga-fire emerged a beautiful lady of dazzling brilliance. Immediately a voice from heaven was heard to say thus: "This Sumadhyamā (a girl in her blossoming youth) would work on the side of God and will cause terror to the Kauravas." - [Previous: c8.1708](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1708) - [Next: c8.1710](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1710) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1709](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1709) · Pramāṇa