Kripa (Kṛpa in IAST transliteration), also known as Kripacharya or Krupacharya is an important character in the Mahābhārata, one of the seven Chiranjivi (the "immortals" who are to remain alive throughout the present age, the Kali Yuga).He was the son of Shardwan and Janapadi, born in a particularly extraordinary manner (see below). He along with his sister Kripi were adopted by King Shantanu. Later on Kripa became an acharya, teacher of the royal children, giving him the name Kripacharya. He taught Kauravas and Pandavas siblings for many years, before Dronacharya was appointed for further education by Bhishma.His twin sister Kripi married Drona.Rishi Ashwatthama is the nephew of Kripa.Drona, Ashwatthama and Kripa are Maharathis who fought with Kauravas side against Pandavas in Kurukshetra war in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Ashwatthama and Kripa are born as Chiranjivi's and cannot be killed by any kind of weapons. Along with sage Parashurama ,sage Vyasa and sage Aswatthama,Kripa is considered to be foremost among the rishis in Kaliyuga. Kripa will also become one of the Saptarishi in the 8th Manvantara along with sage Vyasa ,sage Aswatthama and sage Parashurama.