Thus accosted by him, Drona, on account of partial love for Phalguna, as also from his knowledge of the wickedness of Karna, told him,-None save a Brahmana, who has duly practised all vows, should master the Brahma weapon, or a Kshatriya who has practised austere penances, and no other.
द्रोणस्तथोक्तः कर्णेन सापेक्षः फाल्गुनं प्रति। दौरात्म्यं चैव कर्णस्य विदित्वा तमुवाच ह॥ ब्रह्मास्त्रं ब्राह्मणो विद्याद् यथावच्चरितव्रतः। क्षत्रियो वा तपस्वी यो नान्यो विद्यात् कथंचन।॥