वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः सम्पूजितो द्रोणो भीष्मेण द्विपदां वरः। विशश्राम महातेजाः पूजित: कुरुवेश्मनि॥
Vaishampayana said : Thereupon that best of men, that greatly effulgent Drona, worshipped by Bhishma, took up his quarters in the house of the Kurus and was adored by them all.
विश्रान्तेऽथ गुरौ तस्मिन् पौत्रानादाय कौरवान्। शिष्यत्वेन ददौ भीष्मो वसूनि विविधानि च॥ गृहं च सुपरिच्छन्नं धनधान्यसमाकुलम्। भारद्वाजाय सुप्रीतः प्रत्यपादयत प्रभुः॥
When he had taken rest for a while, Bhishma, taking his grandsons, the Kurus, gave them to him as his pupils, making him their preceptor with the presents of various wealth. That lord (Bhishma) gave the son of Bharadvaja (Drona) a neat and tidy house, well filled with paddy and every kind of wealth.
सताशिष्यान् महेष्वासः प्रतिजग्राह कौरवान्। पाण्डवान् धार्तराष्ट्रांश्च द्रोणो मुदितमानसः॥
That great bowman, Drona, in delightful heart, accepted the Kurus, the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu, as his pupils.
प्रतिगृह्य च तान् सर्वान् द्रोणो वचनमब्रवीत्। रहस्येकः प्रतीतात्मा कृतोपसदनांस्तथा।॥
Having accepted them all as (his pupils), Drona called them apart and spoke, to them confidently thus-
द्रोण उवाच कार्यं मे काक्षितं किंचिद्धदि सम्परिवर्तते। कृतास्त्रैस्तत् प्रदेयं मे तदेतद् वदतानघाः॥
Drona said: "O sinless ones, I have a particular desire in my heart; promise me truly that you will accomplish it when you will become skilled in arms.
वैशम्पायन उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा कौरवेयास्ते तूष्णीमासन् विशाम्पते। अर्जुनस्तु ततः सर्वं प्रतिजज्ञे परंतप॥
Vaishampayana said : Hearing these words, the Kuru princes remained silent. O chastiser of foes, Arjuna, (however), vowed to accomplish it.
ततोऽर्जुनं तदा मूर्ध्नि समाघ्राय पुनः पुनः। प्रीतिपूर्वं परिष्वज्य प्ररुरोद मुदा तदा॥
Drona then cheerfully clasped Arjuna to his bosom and repeatedly took the scent of his head and shed tears of joy.
ततो द्रोणः पाण्डुपुत्रानस्त्राणि विविधानि च। ग्राहयामास दिव्यानि मानुषाणि च वीर्यवान्॥
The greatly powerful Drona taught the sons of Pandu (the use of) various weapons, both celestial and human.
राजपुत्रास्तथा चान्ये समेत्य भरतर्षभ। अभिजग्मुस्ततो द्रोणमस्त्रार्थे द्विजसत्तमम्॥
O best of Bharata race, many other princes also flocked to that best of Brahmanas, Drona, to learn (the science of) arms.
वृष्णयश्चान्धकाश्चैव नानादेश्याश्च पार्थिवाः। सूतपुत्रश्च राधेयो गुरुं द्रोणमियात् तदा॥
The Vrishnis, the Andhakas and the princes from various countries and the son of Suta and Radha (Karna) made Drona their preceptor.
स्पर्धमानस्तु पार्थेन सूतपुत्रोऽत्यमर्षणः। दुर्योधनं समाश्रित्य सोऽवमन्यत पाण्डवान्॥
The son of Suta (Karna), being jealous of Partha (Arjuna), always defied him and being supported by Duryodhana disregarded the Pandavas.
अभ्ययात् स ततो द्रोणं धनुर्वेदचिकीर्षया। शिक्षाभुजबलोद्योगैस्तेषु सर्वेषु पाण्डवः। अस्त्रविद्यानुरागाच्च विशिष्टोऽभवदर्जुनः॥ तुल्येष्वस्त्रप्रयोगेषु लाघवे सौष्ठवेषु च। सर्वेषामेव शिष्याणां बभूवाभ्यधिकोऽर्जुनः॥
That Pandava (Arjuna) from his eager desire to learn the science of arms always remained at the side of Drona and he excelled all in skill, in strength of arms and in perseverance, on account of his love for the science of arms.
ऐन्द्रिमप्रतिमं द्रोण उपदेशेष्वमन्यता एवं सर्वकुमाराणामिष्वस्त्रं प्रत्यपादयत्॥
Though he (Drona) gave equal instructions to all, yet Arjuna became the foremost of all in lightness and skill. Drona was convinced that none of his pupils would be able to equal that son of Indra.
कमण्डलुं च सर्वेषां प्रायच्छच्चिरकारणात्। पुत्राय च ददौ कुम्भमविलम्बनकारणात्॥ यावत् ते नोपगच्छन्ति तावदस्मै परां क्रियाम्। द्रोण आचष्ट पुत्राय तत् कर्म जिष्णुरौहत॥
Thus he gave instructions to all the princes in the (science of) arms. To keep them away for long, he gave them Kamandala (a vessel narrow mouth) for fetching water. But he gave his son a Kumbha (wide mounted vessel to fetch water), so that it may not take him, long (to fill it). When they were thus kept away, Drona instructed his son some superior methods of using arms. Arjuna came to know it.
ततः स वारुणास्त्रेण पूरयित्वा कमण्डलुम्। सममाचार्यपुत्रेण गुरुमभ्येति फाल्गुनः॥ आचार्यपुत्रात् तस्मात् तु विशेषोपचयेऽपृथका न व्यहीयत मेधावी पार्थोऽप्यस्त्रविदां वरः॥ अर्जुनः परमं यत्नमातिष्ठद् गुरुपूजने। अस्त्रे च परमं योगं प्रियो द्रोणस्य चाभवत्॥
Thereupon he filled his Kamandala with the Varuna weapon and came to his preceptor at the same time with his preceptor's son and thus the intelligent son of Pritha, that foremost of all the learned in arms, became in no way inferior to his preceptor's son. Arjuna took great deal of care in worshipping the preceptor; he had great devotion of his study of the science of arms, therefore, he became a great favourite of Drona.
तं दृष्ट्वा नित्यमुद्युक्तमिष्वस्त्रं प्रति फाल्गुनम्। आहूय वचनं द्रोणो रहः सूदमभाषत॥ अन्धकारेऽर्जुनायान्नं न देयं ते कदाचन। न चाख्येयमिदं चापि मद्वाक्यं विजये त्वया॥
Drona, seeing Falguni's (Arjuna) great devotion of arms, summoned the cook and told him in private, “Never give rice (food) to Arjuna in the dark and never told him also that I have asked you to do it."
ततः कदाचिद् भुञ्जाने प्रववौ वायुरर्जुने। तेन तत्र प्रदीपः स दीप्यमानो विलोपितः॥
On a certain day when Arjuna was taking his food, a wind arose and the burning lamp went out.
भुक्त एव तु कौन्तेयो नास्यादन्यत्र वर्तते। हस्तस्तेजस्विनस्तस्य अनुग्रहणकारणात्॥
The effulgent son of Kunti, (Arjuna) continued eating the dark, his hand from habit going to his mouth.
तदभ्यासकृतं मत्वा रात्रावपि स पाण्डवः। योग्यां चक्रे महाबाहुर्धनुषा पाण्डुनन्दनः॥
Thinking this to be the result of the force of habit, the mighty armed son of Pandu practiced with his bow in the night.
तस्य ज्यातलनिर्घोषं द्रोणः शुश्राव भारत। उपेत्य चैनमुत्थाय परिष्वज्येदमब्रवीत्॥
O descendant of the Bharata race, bearing the twang of his bow string, in the night, Drona came to him and embracing him spoke to him thus-
द्रोण उवाच प्रयतिष्ये तथा कर्तुं यथा नान्यो धनुर्धरः। त्वत्समो भविता लोके सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते॥
Drona said: I speak to you truly that I shall do to you that by which there will be no bowman in the world who will be equal to you.
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो द्रोणोऽर्जुनं भूयो हयेषु च गजेषु च। रथेषु भूमावपि च रणशिक्षामशिक्षयत्॥
Vaishampayana said : Thereupon Drona taught Arjuna the art of fighting on horse back and on the back of the elephants, on car and on the ground.
गदायुद्धेऽसिचर्यायां तोमरप्रासशक्तिषु। द्रोणः संकीर्णयुद्धे च शिक्षयामास कौरवान्॥
Drona taught that Kaurava (Arjuna) how to fight with clubs, the sword, the lance, the spear and the dart. He taught him the use of many other weapons and how to fight with many men.
तस्य तत् कौशलं श्रुत्वा धनुर्वेदजिघृक्षवः। राजानो राजपुत्राश्च समाजग्मुः सहस्रशः॥
Hearing of his skill, thousands of kings and princes, desirous of learning the science of arms flocked (to him).
ततो निषादराजस्य हिरण्यधनुषः सुतः। एकलव्यो महाराज द्रोणमभ्याजगाम ह॥
O great king, thereupon, Ekalavya, the son of Hiranyadhanu, king of the Nishadas, came to Drona.
न स तं प्रतिजग्राह नैषादिरिति चिन्तयन्। शिष्यं धनुषि धर्मज्ञस्तेषामेवान्ववेक्षया॥
That learned man in all the precepts of religion (Drona) did not accept him (the Nishada prince) as his pupil in archery, thinking that he was a Nishada and considering the interest of the princes.
स तु द्रोणस्य शिरसा पादौ गृह्य परंतपः। अरण्यमनुसम्प्राप्य कृत्वा द्रोणं महीमयम्॥ तस्मिन्नाचार्यवृत्तिं च परमामास्थितस्तदा। इष्वस्त्रे योगमातस्थे परं नियमास्थितः॥
O chastiser of foes, touching Drona's feet with his head, he went into a forest and made a clay statue of Drona. He began to worship it (the clay figure) as if were his real preceptor and before that figure he practiced the use of arms with the most rigid regularity.
परया श्रद्धयोपेतो योगेन परमेण च। विमोक्षादानसंधाने लघुत्वं परमाप सः॥
In consequence of his exceptional reverence for his preceptor and of his devotion to his purpose, all the three processes of fixing arrows on the bow string, aiming and letting off became very easy to him.
अथ द्रोणाभ्यनुज्ञाताः कदाचित् कुरुपाण्डवाः। ग्थैर्विनिर्ययुः सर्वे मृगयामरिमर्दन॥
O chastiser of foes, one day the Kuru and the Pandu princes with the permission of Drona all set out on their cars to a hunting excursion.
तत्रोपकरणं गृह्य नरः कश्चिद् यदृच्छया। राजन्ननुजगामैकः श्वानमादाय पाण्डवान्॥
O king, a servant followed the Pandavas at his ease with the necessary things (for the hunt) and took a dog with him.
तेषां विचरतां तत्र तत्तत्कर्मचिकीर्षया। श्वा चरन् स वने मूढो नैषादि प्रति जग्मिवान्॥
They wondered about the forest, intent on the purpose they had in view; the dog also wandered about alone and came to the Nishada (prince).
स कृष्णं मलदिग्धाङ्गं कृष्णाजिनजटाधरम्। नैषादिं श्वा समालक्ष्य भषंस्तस्थौ तदन्तिक॥
The dog seeing the Nishada of dark colour and of body besmeared with filth, with an attire of black skin and with matted hair on his head, began to bark aloud.
तदा तस्याथ भषतः शुनः सप्त शरान् मुखे। लाघवं दर्शयन्नस्त्रे मुमोच युगपद् यथा॥
Thereupon he (the Nishada,) exhibiting lightness of hand, at once struck seven arrows into the mouth of the barking dog.
स तु श्वा शरपूर्णास्य: पाण्डवानाजगाम हा तं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवा वीराः परं विस्मयमागताः॥
The dog, thus pierced in the mouth with the arrows, came back to the Pandavas and the Pandava heroes on seeing this were very much astonished.
लाघवं शब्दवेधित्वं दृष्ट्वा तत् परमं तदा। प्रेक्ष्य तं वीडिताश्चासन् प्रशशंसुश्च सर्वशः॥
Ashamed of their own skill, they praised the lightness of hand and precision of aim by auricular perception (of the Nishada Prince).
तं ततोऽन्वेषमाणास्ते वने वननिवासिनम्। ददृशुः पाण्डवा राजन्नस्यन्तमनिशं शरान्॥
O king, they, thereupon, began to search in the forest for that unknown dweller of the wood. The The Pandavas soon found him discharging ceaseless arrows from his bow.
न चैनमभ्यजास्ते तदा विकृतदर्शनम्। अथैनं परिपप्रच्छुः को भवान् कस्य वेत्युत॥
Seeing that man of grim visage, a total stranger to them, they asked, “Who are you and whose son are you?"
एकलव्य उवाच निषादाधिपतेर्वीरा हिरण्यधनुषः सुतम्। द्रोणशिष्यं च मां वित्त धनुर्वेदकृतश्रमम्॥
The Ekalavya said : O heroes, I am the son of the Nishada king, Hiranyadhanu. know me to be a pupil of Drona labouring to acquire the science of arms.
वैशम्पायन उवाच ते तमाज्ञाय तत्त्वेन पुनरागम्य पाण्डवाः। यथावृत्तं वने सर्वं द्रोणायाचख्युरद्भुतम्॥
Vaishmpayana said : The Pandavas, having made themselves acquainted with everything connected with him and returning (to Hastinapur) told Drona all about the wonderful feat of archery they had seen in the forest.
कौन्तेयस्त्वर्जुनो राजन्नेकलव्यमनुस्मरन्। रहो द्रोणं समासाद्य प्रणयादिदमब्रवीत्॥
O king, the son of Kunti, Arjuna thinking of Ekalavya all the while, saw Drona in private and relying upon his preceptor's love for him he said-
अर्जुन उवाच तदाहं परिरभ्यैकः प्रीतिपूर्वमिदं वचः। भवतोक्तो न मे शिष्यस्त्वद्विशिष्टो भविष्यति॥
Arjuna said : "You have joyfully told me, embracing me to your blossom, no pupil of yours should be equal to me.
अथ कस्मान्मद्विशिष्टो लोकादपि च वीर्यवान्। अन्योऽस्ति भवतः शिष्यो निषादाधिपतेः सुतः॥
Why then there is a pupil of yours in the world (equal to me), the mighty son of the Nishada king?"
वैशम्पायन उवाच मुहूर्तमिव तं द्रोणाश्चिन्तयित्वा विनिश्चयम्। सव्यसाचिनमादाय नैषादि प्रति जग्मिवान्॥
Vaishampayana said : Thereupon Drona reflected for a moment and resolved upon the course he should adopt. He then took Savyasachi (Arjuna) with him and went to the Nishada (prince).
ददर्श मलदिग्धाङ्गं जटिलं चीरवाससम्। एकलव्यं धनुष्पाणिमस्यन्तमनिशं शरान्॥
He saw Ekalavya with body besmeared with fifth, with matted locks (on his head) with rags on and with a bow in his hand with which he was ceaselessly shooting arrows.
एकलव्यस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा द्रोणमायान्तमन्तिकात्। अभिगम्योपसंगृह्य जगाम शिरसा महीम्॥
Seeing Drona coming towards him, Ekalavya also went a few steps forward and touched his feet and prostrated himself on the ground.
पूजयित्वा ततो द्रोणं विधिवत् स निषादजः। निवेद्य शिष्यमात्मानं तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरग्रतः॥
The son of Nishada worshipped Drona in the due form and represented himself as his pupil. He then stood before him with joined hands.
ततो द्रोणोऽब्रवीद् राजन्नेकलव्यमिदं वचः। यदि शिष्योऽसि मे वीर वेतनं दीयती मम॥ एकलव्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीयमाणोऽब्रवीदिदम्।
O king, thereupon Drona spoke thus to Ekalavya, "O hero, if you are really my pupil, give me my remuneration. Ekalavya was much pleased in hearing this and he said-
एकलव्य उवाच किं प्रयच्छामि भगवन्नाज्ञापयतु मां गुरुः॥ न हि किंचिददेयं मे गुरवे ब्रह्मवित्तम।
O illustrious one, what shall I give you, command me. O excellent Brahma knowing man, there is nothing that is not to be given to my preceptor."
वैशम्पायन उवाच तमब्रवीत् त्वयाङ्गुष्ठो दक्षिणो दीयतामिति॥
He (Drona) said, "Give me as Dakshina your right thumb."
एकलव्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वचो द्रोणस्य दारुणम्। प्रतिज्ञामात्मनो रक्षन् सत्ये च नियतः सदा।५७॥ तथैव हृष्टवदनस्तथैवादीनमानसः। छित्त्वाविचार्य तं प्रादाद् द्रोणायाङ्गुष्ठमात्मनः॥
Ekalavya ever devoted to truth and desirous of keeping his promise, hearing the fearful words of Drona, at once cut off his right thumb with a cheerful face and unruffled heart and gave it to Drona.
ततः शरं तु नैषादिरङ्गुलीभिर्व्यकर्षत। न तथा च स शीघ्रोऽभूद् यथा पूर्वं नराधिप॥
Thereupon, O king, when the help of his other fingers, he found he had lost his former lightness of hand.
ततोऽर्जुनः प्रीतमना बभूव विगतज्वरः। द्रोणश्च सत्यवागासीनान्योऽभिभवितार्जुनम्॥
Arjuna became pleased and his fever (of jealous) was gone. “None will equal Arjuna," these words of Drona now became true.
द्रोणस्य तु तदा शिष्यौ गदायोग्यौ बभूवतुः। दुर्योधनश्च भीमश्च सदा संरब्धमानसौ॥
Two of Drona's pupils became greatly expert in club fight, namely Duryodhana and Bhima, who were jealous of each other.
अश्वत्थामा रहस्येषु सर्वेष्वभ्यधिकोऽभवत्। तथाति पुरुषानन्यान् त्सारुको यमजावुभौ॥
Ashvathama excelled all in the mysteries (of the science of arms). The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) excelled every body in handling the sword.
युधिष्ठिरो रथश्रेष्ठः सर्वत्र तु धनंजयः। प्रथितः सागरान्तायां रथयूथपयूथपः॥ बुद्धियोगबलोत्साहैः सर्वास्त्रेषु च निष्ठितः। अस्त्रे गुर्वनुरागे च विशिष्टोऽभवदर्जुनः॥
Yudhisthira became the best of car warriors and Arjuna excelled every one in every respect. He surpassed all in intelligence, in the skill of using all weapons and in devotion to his arms and his preceptor. He thus became the foremost of all car warriors.
तुल्येष्वस्त्रोपदेशेषु सौष्ठवेन च वीर्यवान्। एकः सर्वकुमाराणां बभूवातिरथोऽर्जुनः॥
Though the instructions (of Drona) were equal, (to all), yet the mighty Arjuna excelled all (the princes) and became an Athiratha a warrior capable of fighting with sixty thousands foes all at once.
प्राणाधिकं भीमसेनं कृतविद्यं धनंजयम्। धार्तराष्ट्रा दुरात्मानो नामृष्यन्त परस्परम्॥
The wicked minded sons of Dhritarashtra became jealous of Bhima, for he was exceeding strong and of Arjuna, because he was accomplished.
तांस्तु सर्वान् समानीय सर्वविद्यास्त्रशिक्षितान्। द्रोणः प्रहरणज्ञाने जिज्ञासुः पुरुषर्षभः॥
O best of men, Drona became desirous of examining his pupils' knowledge in arms and he collected them all together, all (the princes) skilled in all the weapons.
कृत्रिमं भासमारोप्य वृक्षाग्रे शिल्पिभिः कृतम्। अविज्ञातं कुमाराणां लक्ष्यभूतमुपादिशत्॥
He caused in artificial bird made by an artisan to be placed on the top of a tree without the knowledge of the princes for the purpose of using it as the target.
द्रोण उवाच शीघ्रं भवन्तः सर्वेऽपि धनूंष्यादाय सर्वशः। भासमेतं समुद्दिश्य तिष्ठध्वं संधितेषवः॥
Drona said: Take up quickly, all of you, your bows and six your arrows on the bowstring. Stand here aiming at that bird on the tree.
मद्वाक्यसमकालं तु शिरोऽस्य विनिपात्यताम्। एकैकशो नियोक्ष्यामि तथा कुरुत पुत्रकाः।७०॥
As soon as I give the order, cut off the bird's head. O sons, I shall give each of you a turn one after another.
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो युधिष्ठिरं पूर्वमुवाचाङ्गिरसां वरः। संधत्स्व बाणं दुर्घष मद्वाक्यान्ते विमुञ्च तम्॥
Vaishampayana said : The best of the descendant of Angirasa (Drona) first spoke to Yudhisthira thus, "O invincible one, aim with your arrow and shoot (the bird) as soon as I order.”
ततो युधिष्ठिरः पूर्वं धनुर्गृह्य परंतपः। तस्थौ भासं समुद्दिश्य गुरुवाक्यप्रचोदितः॥
The chastiser of foes, Yudhisthira, first took up the bow as ordered by his preceptor and stood aiming at the bird.
ततो विततधन्वानं द्रोणस्तं कुरुनन्दनम्। स मुहूर्तादुवाचेदं वचनं भरतर्षभ॥
Yudhisthira who stood aiming at the bird, very next moment Drona said-
पश्यैनं तं दुमाग्रस्थं भासं नरवरात्मजा श्यामीत्येवमाचार्यं प्रत्युवाच युधिष्ठिरः॥
“O prince, behold that bird on the top of the tree.” Yudhisthira replied to the preceptor, "O Sir, I see it."
स मुहूर्तादिव पुनर्दोणस्तं प्रत्यभाषत।
Very next moment Drona again said.
द्रोण उवाच अथ वृक्षमिमं मां वा भ्रातृन् वापि प्रपश्यसि॥
Drona said: Do you see the tree, myself, your brothers and the bird?
तमुवाच च कौन्तेयः पश्याम्येनं वनस्पतिम्। भवन्तं च तथा भ्रातृन् भासं चेति पुनः पुनः॥
That son of Kunti (Yudhisthira) said, “ I see lord of the forest (tree), your self, my brothers and the bird." He said this again being asked (by Drona) again and again.
तमुवाचापसपैति द्रोणोऽप्रीतमना इव। नैतच्छक्यं त्वया वेळू लक्ष्यमित्येव कुत्सयन्॥
Drona, being displeased, reproachingly told him, “Stand back. It is not for you to strike at this aim."
ततो दुर्योधनादींस्तान् धार्तराष्ट्रान् महायशाः। तेनैव क्रमयोगेन जिज्ञासुः पर्यपृच्छत॥ अन्यांश्च शिष्यान् भीमादीन् राज्ञश्चैवान्यदेशजान्। तथा च सर्वे तत् सर्वं पश्याम इति कुत्सिताः॥
Thereupon, the greatly illustrious (Drona) placed in the same position Duryodhana and other sons of Dhritarashtra and also Bhima and his other brothers and also all the princes that had come from other countries. He asked them one after another the some question, but they all replied as did Yudhisthira.