Swarnakavya ~ The Tale of Madrinandana

04| Mahayoddha

The Kuru princes stood infront of a vast empty area where two chariots stood. Their curious eyes scanned each and every feature of those chariots calculating the possible challenges that their teacher would assign soon.

" We should show our skills as a car warrior may be" Nakula whispered to his twin who stood as curious as him.

" May be" he replied.

" May be not," Arjuna added with his brows arched.

" We are going to learn how to drive a chariot may be" Bhima guessed.

" Don't be foolish! We are the princes of Hastinapura and why should we learn it?" Duryodhana commented back.

" It's an art too " Nakula added. The conversation about the arena went on till Drona arrived there and stood infront of the group.

" I believe, you all have learnt the lessons of weapons well. Isn't it?" He said with his authoritative voice.

" Yes Gurudeva " the princes replied in chorus with equal zeal in all of them.

Drona smiled getting close to the chariot.

" Everything all you have done till now is the theory. It's the time to execute them practically. A war is the ultimate destiny of a warrior. You all are warriors and you should know what is a war and how to deal it " he continued to teach his them walking around them slowly.

" One who fights to show off his skills is just a fighter but who fights for a cause is a warrior. That cause should always be the establishment of Dharma in your lives. You all should uphold justice in each and every wars that you would fight from today. Drona's disciples should be the epitome of Dharma " Drona paused his words pressing the shoulder of his dear disciple Arjuna, who stood next to Nakula.

His words appeared like a mystic chants for the princes, they all quietly listened whatever he taught.

" From today you all would work to master in war. It has ethics mixed with courage. Each one of you should emerge as a Maharathi, you all should become a Yoddha, a Mahayoddha " Drona's words turned out to be a command for his disciples.

A chill ran down the spine of Nakula as soon as he heard the word 'Mahakshatriya'. He gazed the mine version of a warfield infront of him with thirsty eyes.

" Mahayoddha" He whispered to himself.

" Arjuna, you will fight with me now" Drona said making Arjuna smiled brightly.

" Mount the chariot" he ordered and mounted another chariot for himself.

Excited by his teacher's order Arjuna quickly mounted the chariot and took position.

" The presence of mind is the most important weapon of a warrior" Drona said and looked at the rest of his students hinting them to assume the further positions to fight.

" We will gaurd the wheels" Nakula and Sahadeva declared quickly grabbing a sword and shield for themselves.

Drona smiled with pride and drew the bow and arrows to fight Arjuna. Nakula and Sahadeva stationed themselves at either side of the chariot of Arjuna.

The small version of the war commenced between both Drona and Arjuna soon. With full enthusiasm Arjuna attacked Drona with sharp shafts and Drona who just wanted them to know how to fight, retreated the attacks with full force. In the sense his test was actually to see wheather they can actually defeat Drupada.

Every swing of the sword of Nakula shattered the arrows of Drona, which hurried towards Arjuna's chariot wheel. On the other hand, Sahadeva shielded the arrows from even touching the wheels.

The rest of the princes stood on their toes to participate in the war too as they were by the surreal scene infront of them.

The war continued till the sun arrived straight above the heads. It was the noon already and the princes still fought with zeal. Their gentle limbs were adorned with injuries and dust, yet they shone like the moon of night sky.

Completely pleased by the prowess of his students, Drona finally took an arrow in his arm and dropped the bow hence concluded the war.

He got down of the chariot and detached the arrow from his arm and embraced Arjuna with happiness dripping from his eyes.

" I am proud of you my boy " He praised him.

Arjuna turned back to his brothers who gaurded his chariot wheels and fought best to not let him fall down to earth.

" It's all by their support too Gurudeva, Nakula and Sahadeva were my greatest support today " Arjuna praised his brothers.

The sons of Madri smiled brightly listening to the praises for the first war they fought together.

" Indeed indeed, Sahadeva's shield and each and every blow of Nakula's sword were surely a treat to watch. Well done my boys " Drona patted their shoulders too.

" I believe now, you all would be known as the greatest warriors of the era. Keep it up, you all have mastered my teachings, keep it up" Drona praised them again by the bottom of his heart as his ambition of calling the fall of Drupada was already infront of his eyes. Arjuna and Sahadeva joined their brothers back whereas Nakula stood back staring at the chariot of Drona.

" Gurudeva " the gentle voice of Nakula brought him back to the present.

" Yes, Nakula " Drona smiled at him.

" My eyes accidentally fell on the bright sword resting in your chariot. I have never seen such before. May I know what is it?" He asked in a humble tone which has curiousity.

Drona took out the majestic primordial sword.

" This is Asi, the first of all weapons. This was gifted to me by my father, you have not grown enough to bear this my boy. I believe that soon you would become the best of swordsmen so that you may achieve greater weapons than Asi " Drona said smiling.

" I would love to know more Gurudeva" Nakula said not at all moving his eyes away from Asi.

Drona replaced the sword back and took Nakula away with him. From the bunch of various fine weapons he pulled out a dazzling sword. Bhima who saw them leaving the arena quickly followed them with other brothers.

" Here you go, this is Hiraka. This sword is as strong as the diamond. You have excellent skills in sword my boy, have it for yourself. Let your skills prosper with Hiraka" Drona said forwarding the sword.

Yudhistira and Arjuna smiled brightly whereas Bhima and Sahadeva embraced each other out of happiness.

Nakula's heart swelled up with happiness. He kneeled down infront of his guru and received Hiraka with utmost devotion and pressed it to his forehead.

" Yashasvibhava " Drona blessed him wholeheartedly.

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Vatsu❤❤❤

Note : the sword of Nakula is unnamed in the epic, Hiraka and the future name of his weapons are purely out of my imagination. Hope you all would like it.