When Dronacharya was entrusted as the preceptor of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas, the princes, in the order of age as tradition demanded, introduced themselves before him. In keeping with ancient practice, he asked them, “After the completion of your training, who among you shall fulfill my aspiration at command?” The Kauravas stood in silence, but Arjuna, stepping forward with a heart full of promise, offered himself. Perceiving the boy’s innate brilliance, Drona embraced him with affection and foresaw in him the finest archer of the age.
Princes from distant kingdoms too gathered to learn under Drona’s stern but able guidance, and the ground of discipline slowly turned into an arena where jealousy and rivalry crept in like shadows. Karna, the son of Radha, with his natural skill and proud bearing, soon aligned himself with Duryodhana, threatening Arjuna’s place of eminence. Ashwatthama, the son of Drona himself, grew restless with envy, especially when he saw Arjuna practicing in ways beyond the common measure.
Arjuna, ever keen, would take his meals in darkness, and one night when a gust of wind extinguished the lamp, he finished eating by touch alone. From this he conceived the thought—if food could be taken in darkness, why not practice arms in it as well? Thus, when others slept, he would shoot arrows in the black stillness of night. Drona, discovering him at such practice, was moved by his devotion and arranged special training—shooting while riding horse, chariot, or elephant; from standing, running, bending; from every angle and in every posture. In time Arjuna stood apart, his diligence unmatched.
Yet not all learning was confined to Hastinapura. In a distant forest lived Ekalavya, son of the tribal chief Hiranyadhanu. The chief once approached Drona, requesting training for his boy, but Drona, foreseeing complications, refused. Undaunted, the youth made for himself an image of Drona, worshipped it as his teacher, and by tireless practice shaped himself into a master archer. One day, when the princes went hunting, their hounds encountered Ekalavya.
The dog barked, and the boy, without harm, filled its mouth with arrows so skillfully that it returned silent but unharmed. The princes, astonished, reported the marvel. Drona himself went to the forest and beheld the dark, rugged youth whose archery bore the stamp of mastery. Questioned, the boy said, “You are my guru.” Understanding the truth, Drona demanded his teacher’s fee. Without hesitation, Ekalavya severed his own right thumb and laid it at his master’s feet. Thus, by a cruel necessity, Drona secured Arjuna’s unrivalled place.
Among the princes, Bhima’s strength was colossal, yet it was Arjuna’s relentless focus that drew all eyes. To test his disciples, Drona once set a bird-shaped target upon a branch. Calling them one by one, he asked what they saw. Some spoke of tree, leaves, wings, and tail. Only Arjuna replied, “I see the bird’s head, nothing else.” At the command to shoot, his arrow struck true, and the bird’s head fell. In another trial, while bathing in the Ganga, Drona feigned distress as a crocodile seized his thigh. Though able to free himself, he cried out for help. The disciples hesitated, but Arjuna swiftly loosed five arrows with perfect aim, slaying the beast and rescuing his teacher. Such deeds won him renown, even from those whose envy burned. Drona, now convinced, armed him with celestial weapons and foresaw that through Arjuna he might one day avenge his own humiliation at the hands of King Drupada of Panchala.
Thus, the tale unfolds as narrated by Ugrasrava to Saunaka and the sages: how the Kuru princes grew in skill and renown under the guidance of Drona. Bhishma, Vidura, Kripa, Shalya, Sakuni, Somadatta, and others gathered before King Dhritarashtra, who, urged to witness the prowess of his heirs, commanded Vidura to prepare a grand display. With diligence, Vidura leveled the ground, spread soft sand, built a wooden fence, and raised platforms for spectators. Seating was arranged for commoners and nobles alike; the place was adorned with mango branches, plantain leaves, flowers, and fragrant pastes. Purified with cow dung, sprinkled with sandalwood, perfumed with natural essences, the arena was made ready. Thus, all was set for the great exhibition of arms, where the princes of Kuru would demonstrate before king and people the fruits of their training.
