After the Kuru princes demonstrated their skills, it was time for them to pay gurudakshina to Dronacharya.
Dronacharya, who wanted to avenge himself against the King of Panchala, Drupada, asked the Kuru princes to seize him and bring him captive.
The Kauravas and Pandavas together went to defeat Drupada, the King of Panchala. Arjuna captured Drupada and brought him to Dronacharya.
Dronacharya reminded Drupada of their old friendship and the promise that Drupada had once made.
Dronacharya, then annexed half of the Panchala kingdom, as promised, and crowned Ashwatthama as the King of the annexed territory.
Drupada, unable to bear the insult, wished for a son who would avenge him by slaying Dronacharya.
To beget such a son, Drupada approached two sages, who initially refused but later agreed to perform a yajna (sacrificial fire ritual).
Drupada along with his wife Prishati, began a yagna (a sacrificial fire), with the help of two sages, Yaja and Upayaja.