Suka started his narration smiling at Parikshit who sat in Bheem's lap without blinking his eyes.
Guru Dron assembled his desciples and addressed." Now all of you excelled in various branches of warfare. It is time to take my guru dakshina"
Duryothan proudly admitted." Just say it sir. There is nothing that I can not offer you. I am the son of the ruling King. You know it"
Karna who stood with Duryothan patted him and said." And I am at your disposal anytime."
Arjun looked at his Gurudev in anticipation. Till now his Guru Dron never asked anything. What must he be expecting? He then heard Drona declare firmly. What did he hear? " Bring King Drupada of Panchal and throw him at my feet "
Everyone stood spellbound. After a while Duryothan declared." We Kauravas along with Karna will go and attack Panchal. Next moment they all left much to Bheema's displeasure. He scolded Arjun." Why are we standing motionless while that foolish Duryothan becomes successful to offer Gurudakshina?
Yudhishtir tried to pacify Bheema" What difference is there? They give or we give it is the same. They are our cousins."
Arjun confessed cautiously." Bhrata Bheem! It is not that easy to conquer King Drupad. He is the accomplice of our Guru. He must be a great warrior."
GuruDron nodded his head and said." You are right Arjun! It is not a small battle. Let us go there and see what happened.
By the time they reached King Drupad crushed Kauravas with Karna. Duryothan bent his head feeling shameful.
Dron looked at Arjun signalling him to go. Arjun bowed before him and requested Yudhishtir to stay back.
Drupad knitted his eyebrows in irritation. By now he understood Drona's desciples attacked him on their Guru's behest. But he found them lagging behind in right approach and usage of skills. He said to Satyajit,his brother." Five more are arriving now. Get ready to teach them and their Guru a lesson"
Bheemsen smashed Drupada's elephant force with his fierce mace. Arjun faced Satyajit with great confidence.Satyajit shot umpteen arrows on Arjun
Then Arjuna with great force pierced Satyajit with ten keen shafts at which feat the spectators were all amazed. But Satyajit, without losing any time, assailed Arjuna with a hundred shafts. Then that mighty car-warrior, Arjuna, endued with remarkable lightness of motion, thus covered by that shower of arrows, rubbed his bow- string to increase the force and velocity of his shafts
. Then cutting in twain Satyajit's bow, Arjuna rushed at the king of the Panchalas, but Satyajit, quickly taking up a tougher bow, pierced with his arrows Partha, his chariot, charioteer, and horses. Arjuna, thus assailed in battle by the Panchala warrior, forgave not his foe. Eager to slay him at once, he pierced with a number of arrows Satyajit's horses, flags, bow, charioteer, and his wheel protectors.Then Satyajit, finding his bows repeatedly cut in twain and his horses slain, desisted from the fight.
"The king of the Panchala looked at the boyish looking young Arjun with admiration.Controlling himself he began to shower his arrows upon the Pandava prince.
Then Arjuna, that foremost of warriors, began to fight furiously, and quickly cutting his enemy's bow bow string as also his flagstaff which he caused to fall down. He then pierced Drupada's horses, and charioteer also with five arrows.
Then throwing aside his bow Arjuna took his sword and taking a round and sending forth a loud shout, leaped from his own chariot upon that of King Drupad. He stood there with perfect fearlessness and he seized Drupada. At the sight of this, the Panchala troops ran away in all directions.
Then Dhananjaya, having thus exhibited the might of his arms in the sent forth a loud shout and approached Bheem.
Arjun then said." Bhrata Bheem! Our purpose was achieved. Please don't kill innocent soldiers."
Maharaj Drupad stared at his opponent who is too young to fight such a fierce battle with him,who is the desciple of Bharadwaja.His hazel eyes beautiful features his curly hair and above all his pleasing manners won his heart.
Arjun made him sit in the chariot and folded his hands." Forgive me for the inconvenience caused to you. But this is my Guru's order. And I can not disobey my guru.Feel comfortable. You want to drink water? " Drupad did not say anything. He was mesmarised by the dark good looking warrior par excellence. There is no doubt about it."
Suka stopped his narration. Every one lauded him for such perfect description of Panchal victory. Parikshit hugged Arjun and stated" I am proud of you Pitamah..
Arjun's eyes met with the lotus eyes of the most beautiful woman for a split second. Panchali closed her eye lotuses and heard her father's voice" There is only one Arjun in Aryavarth Krishnaa"
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