Mahabharat: The great war of dharmā

The martial exhibition

Among Drona's pupils, Bhima and Duryodhana, deadly rivals, both became matchless in mace fighting. Yudhisthira was the greatest spearman and chariot fighter, Nakula and Sahadeva were the best swordsmen and Asvatthāmā showed the greatest ability at mystical weapons. Arjuna, however, excelled everyone in all respects. He became an attratha, a warrior capable of fighting sixty thousand other warriors simultaneously. This only increased the envy Dhrtarastra's sons felt toward him, as well as toward his brother, the mighty
Bhima.

One day, Drona decided to test his students' abilities. He placed an artificial bird high in a tree. Calling together all the princes, he said to each of them, "Take your bows and aim for the bird's eye. One by one I shall call you forward to shoot." The first to be called was Yudhisthira. When he had placed an arrow on his bow and aimed, Drona said, "O prince, tell me what you see." Yudhisthira replied that he saw his brothers, Drona, the tree and the bird. Drona asked him again and again what he saw and each time received the same reply. Drona then reproached him and told him to stand down without firing his arrow. "You will not be able to hit the mark," he said with annoyance. Duryodhana was the next to be called. When he was ready to fire Drona asked him the same question. The prince replied as Yudhisthira had replied, and
again Drona told him to stand down. One by one the princes were called and cach responded to Drona similarly and was not allowed to shoot at the bird. Finally Arjuna was called. When he was prepared to shoot and was standing
with his bow drawn in a semicircle, Drona said, "Tell me what you see. Can you see myself, your brothers and the tree?" Arjuna replied, "I see only the bird, I cannot see you or my brothers, nor the tree." Drona was pleased. He waited a moment and asked, "If you see the bird, then please describe it to me."

Arjuna responded, "I see only the bird's head. I cannot see its body."
Drona felt his hair stand on end with delight. He said, "Shoot!"
Arjuna released his arrow and it struck the wooden bird in the eye, sending it
tumbling to the ground. With tears of joy Drona embraced his disciple as
Duryodhana and his brothers looked on in anger. Some time after that Drona went with the princes to the Ganges to bathe. As he entered the water he was seized by a fierce crocodile. Although capable of freeing himself, Drona cried out, "O princes, quickly kill this beast and rescue me!"

The princes were confounded with sorrow at seeing their teacher held by the crocodile. They froze in fear--all except Arjuna. He instantly fired five arrows which struck the reptile under the water and cut it to pieces. Its mouth fell open and released Drona's leg. Drona came to the river bank and took Arjuna aside. He said to him, "I wish to give you the greatest of weapons. Take from me the knowledge of the brahmastra, the irresistible missile endowed with Brahma's power. This weapon should only be used against supernatural foes, for if released against others it may destroy the very world." Drona then told Arjuna that no one would ever become superior to him with a bow. He was now invincible.

Seeing that the princes had become expert in arms and warfare, Drona went to Dhṛtarastra and said, "O King, your sons have completed their education. With your permission they may now display their proficiency. Let me therefore arrange an exhibition." Dhṛtarastra thanked Drona for instructing the princes and said, "I envy those who will be able to witness the prowess of my sons. I shall attend the display with Vidura who will be my eyes. With his assistance please make the preparations, O best of Brahmins." Drona and Vidura then went outside of the city and selected a large, flat piece of land. After sanctifying the spot with prayers and offerings to the gods, Drona had skilled architects construct a great stadium. It had a vast central area and platforms rising on all four sides. Wealthy merchants sponsored the installation of thousands of beautiful seats carved from wood and inlaid with ivory and pearls. Rows of golden thrones encrusted with coral and gems were built on the royal platform. The stadium's sides reached up to the sky and were adorned with tall white flagstaffs bearing colored pennants that fluttered in the breeze.