Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.

1. DRONA- a. In the story of Eklavya, drone being a Brahmana, his dharma was to teach archery to Kshatriyas not to Nishada or any one from any other Varna.

b. According to the Brahmanical text norms Drona tough Archery only to the Pandavas who were the kshatriyas and refused to teach Eklavya – a Nishada.

c. Thus, Drona exercised his Dharma successfully.

2. HIDIMBA – a. In the case of Hidimba , she failed to practise dharma and broke the laws of marriage.

b. as per the marriage rules, laid down in Manusmriti, the bride’s father was supposed to choose the bridegroom and give consent to marriage.

c. contrastingly Hidimba herself proposed to Bhima to marry her and also tried to convince kunti Bhima’s mother to give consent to their marriage.

3. MATANGA- a.In the story of Matanga also the norms of Dharma were not followed.

b. Matanga was a chandala who dared to break the laws of the varna system as well as the rules of marriage.

c. not only did he read religious books, despite belonging to lower varna, but also married a girl of higher caste (vaishya community). According to the rules of marriage mentioned in Brahmanical texts, intercatse marriage was strictly prohibited.