THE PROWESS OF KAURAVAS & PANDAVAS

Dronacharya was the royal guru to Kauravas and Pandavas. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the Devāstras. Arjuna was his favorite student. Droṇa's love for Arjuna was second only to his love for his son Aśvatthāma.

Drona announced a public examination to test the prowess of the princes in arms and archery. Spectacular arrangements were made. A special stadium was erected. Separate seats of honour were provided for His Majesty Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari and to all the nobility headed by Bhishma. Women of the royal family like Kunti were seated in special enclosures. The function attracted unprecedented crowds. The arrival of their Majesties was announced with the blowing of conches and ceremonius chantings by the imperial heralds called Vandins and Magadhas who proclaimed the glories of the Lunar race with special reference to the ruling sovereign. The arrival of Bhishma was also announced likewise and the crowd cheered him lustily as and when he took his seat. Bugles were blown and horns were sounded to the accompaniment of the traditional military orchestra of India comprising of "Dundubhi - Bheri- Pataha- Kansya, etc. when the princes entered the arena.

Drona entered the arena amidst tumultuous applause of the spectators and announced with sublime serenity: "Worthy princes of the hoary Bharatha race, this historic day will be ever memorable in your lives. The king and the commoner alike are here to witness your performance. I fondly hope that you will justify the tremendous trust reposed in me by your worthy Pitamaha-the veteran warrior who vanquished Parasurama, the greatest hero of unparalleled history, the immortal son of Goddess Ganga known to the world at large as Bhishma by the exemplary vow of life- long celibacy. Princes, my dear pupils, display your prowess to the delight of friends and despair of foes."

The function started with an exhibition match of mace battle, "Gada Yuddha" by Duryodhana and Bhima. It was a feast to the eyes of the spectators. Bhima was invincible with his superior strength. Duryodhana remained unbeaten with his superlative skill. As both the contestants were eager to turn it into an actual fight, Drona the preceptor cum umpire terminated the combat. There were many other items of display which delighted the crowd. However the most significant event on the agenda was the "Mechanical Bird" placed on top of a tree which was an automatic device. The contestant must be able to hit it down in three chances. The first to be invited was Yudhisthira. Drona, pointing his finger to the tree, the leaves, the branches and the mechanical bird, said clearly. "My dear prince, please tell me what you see." Prince Yudhisthra, who has cultivated his sense of propriety better than the art of archery, proclaimed, "Great Sir, I do not know whether I can see al that is described by you but I see my inability quite clearly." Drona offered his hearty congratulations to him on his truthful confession and proper perspective of his abilities.


Duryodhana was the next invitee. He entered the arena with dignified posture and bowed to the preceptor. Drona put the same question to him. Duryodhana said "Sir everything is clearly visible to me." Drona repeatedly asked him, "Are you able to see the branches and leaves clearly?" "Yes, I am able to see the branches and leaves clearly, together with the flowery creeper that has enveloped the tree. I am not suffering from defective sight," was the emphatic reply of Duryodhana. Drona said "Prince there is no need for you to try. You can go." Duryodhana made a triumphant exit with the dubious satisfaction of winning the prize without contest.

Next to be invited was Bhima who entered the arena without the bow and quiver with the gait of an untamed elephant. Drona repeated the same question to him as well, and asked him why he came without the bow and arrows. Bhima replied, "Revered Sir, frankly speaking I am not disposed to locate the bird. Wise people say that a true hero will never utilize his mighty power against a petty, mean little bird. Bird I quite see the huge, tall tree alright. If you were pleased to give an opportunity I will pluck out the whole tree, root, stem and branch to the delight of the spectators. Let me exhibit my might." Bhima provided the entertaining touch to the otherwise serious proceedings of the day and everybody had a hearty laugh. Then Drona directed Bhima to resume the seat saying that everybody knew his physical prowess.

The ultimate choice fell on Arjuna who came with his bow and quiver and prostrated himself at the feet of Drona who put the same question to him. Arjuna replied, "Revered Sir, I could see nothing you described excepting the bird." Drona repeatedly asked, "Why, don't you see the various branches and the innumerable leaves?" Arjuna's reply was quite crisp "Nothing except the bird and I request instant orders to shoot." Drona immediately gave the order and Arjuna shot at the bird which came down crumbling. The spectators spontaneously gave a standing ovation to Arjuna for his unique feat. Drona with all the pride of a privileged teacher proclaimed, "There is no hero in the three worlds that can equal Arjuna in his unparalleled prowess of archery." The crowd thundered its unanimous assent. Even before the unprecedented din of the tumultuous applause subsided an archer with a bow and arrows emerged out of the crowd and entered the arena with self confident gait and imposing personality. Suddenly the crowd became silent and the intruder began to argue with the Acharya in a challenging tone.

He said, "Great Brahmin, you are at perfect liberty to bestow exaggerated praise on your pupil privately and try to deserve to be true to your salt. Why do you bring in the three worlds into your picture of praise publicly? There are people now here and in Hastinapura who can excel your pupil." Drona, much annoyed at the audacity of an intruding stranger, said to him, "Boasting is the mother tongue of impostors. Tell me whether you can do likewise and bring down the mechanical bird." The stranger accepted the challenge unhesitatingly and stepped into the arena with his bow and a single arrow. While Drona was rearranging the mechanical device, conflicting comments were heard from the crowd. "The presumptuous intruder will be disillusioned soon." "No, no, look at his radiant face and resplendent ear ornaments, the divine halo about him cannot be altogether false." Meanwhile the mechanical bird was repositioned and Drona gave the signal to shoot. The stranger drew his bow and arrow and just at the first attempt the target was hit and the mechanical bird came down crashing to pieces.

As the crowd burst into applause, Duryodhana jumped to his feet and was the first to congratulate the hero, hugging him into his embrace. The honored hero reciprocated the gesture of the prince by an equally warm embrace. Drona was astonished that the much advertised target, the mechanical bird was hit by a stranger with reckless precision and that he became the hero of the day in the eyes of the excited crowd. The stranger at once challenged Arjuna for a duel fight. Arjuna said, "Uninvited intruder, I do not like your bragging; however I am ready to show your place to you." Both were ready to begin the duel. Just at that moment Kunti swooned and Drona stopped the duel and proceeded to enquire after the condition of Kunti. Arjuna too followed his preceptor. First aid was rendered to the queen mother, Kunti and as soon as she recovered Drona returned to the arena. There were defeating shouts - ‘Long live Karna,' ‘Victory to Karna'. Drona learnt that Karna was the name of the hero. Karna immediately challenged Arjuna to start the fight. He said, "Presumptuous prince, I have every right to enter the arena uninvited as it is the common ground for all the contestants. Otherwise the praise bestowed upon you by your teacher will become quite meaningless."

Arjuna conceding the contention of Karna was ready to commence the fight. But as the umpire of the field Drona stepped in and proclaimed, "As the custodian of the royal etiquette and custom I should like to point out that only a prince can challenge a prince for a duel. Karna, please tell me who you are." Karna could not muster any reply, but looked at the sun shining in all his splendor in the sky and preferred to be silent hanging down his head. But Duryodhana at once sprang to his feet and came to the Acharya, "Revered Sir, the genetic secrets of great men are shrouded in mystery just like the sources of great rivers. Great soul, your birth itself is a glaring example of this truth. It is patently evident that Karna is the incarnation of an unrecognized divinity. Just at this auspicious moment I am bestowing the kingdom of Anga on this great hero who is fit enough to be the ruler of the three worlds. I have already discussed the matter with king Dhritarashtra and Pitamaha Bhishma who are convinced that it is our imperial duty to honour this hero living incognito in the capital city of Hastinapura." The crowd cheered Duryodhana and Karna was crowned king of Anga with all the royal honours.