Karna's goal was to learn archery. He approached the great Drona who was teaching the Pandavas in Hastinapura.
After receiving an audience with him, he pleaded, My lord, please accept me as your pupil. I want to learn the science of archery. I am the son of Adhiratha, a carpenter and chariot driver by caste.
Knowing the wickedness of Karna and feeling partiality towards Arjuna, Drona replied, 'Only a brahmana who has observed vows or a kshatriya who has practiced austere penances, should be acquainted with this weapon.'
Drona did not like the idea of teaching archery to the son of a suta (chariot driver) and sent him away.
After receiving an audience with him, he pleaded, My lord, please accept me as your pupil. I want to learn the science of archery. I am the son of Adhiratha, a carpenter and chariot driver by caste.
Knowing the wickedness of Karna and feeling partiality towards Arjuna, Drona replied, 'Only a brahmana who has observed vows or a kshatriya who has practiced austere penances, should be acquainted with this weapon.'
Drona did not like the idea of teaching archery to the son of a suta (chariot driver) and sent him away.