Suta's Samragini

CHAPTER 29

In MAGADHA

THE three princes

AGES

KARNA- 6 YEARS

EKLAVYA - 5 YEARS

SHAURYA- 4 YEARS

THEIR training started . They were inducted in the military training school established by the Rudra.

Soon they outshoned the other students who were in the school much before them.
Karna and eklavya were particularly on a different level altogether.

It seems  during their practice session that the only worthy opponent to Karna was Eklavya and vice versa.

They were like a sponge ready to absorb whatever was taught to them. Their memory was extraordinary and Karna in particular was way different from others.

His thinking his logic behind a particular strategy or the point behind a particular decision were particularly beyond what a normal man would do.

For an instance

The classroom of  advance battle strategy was going on.

The teacher was explaining how to counter a difficult situation with clever planning.

Teacher- students I will give you an example.
Long time ago The yuvraj of Hastinapur Vichitravirya in inebriated state ventured into the Panchsl territory and burnt the crops field.

Enraged by his daredevilry the then Maharaj of Panchal Prishatha captured him and to teach Hastinapur a lesson he announced the execution of Vichitravirya in full public view.

Vichitravirya who was struggling to stand on his feet laughed at the king' s word and challenged him that - you can't do anything Panchal naresh.
My Jyestha will come to set me free.

Prishatha gritted his teeth as the enmity between Panchal and Hastinapur was very famous.

But he decided to go aheadwith the execution.

But soon he received the news that Gangaputra is coming to attack Panchal with a huge army.

Prishatha ordered the gates of the city to be closed and don't let enemy enter.

Mahamahim tried very hard to breakthrough the gates butvPanchal army defended it very well.

Soon sense of hopelessness began to creep it in the army of hastinapur.

Seeing no other way bhishma decided to go back . He  sent back his army.

Seeing them retreating Panchal raj was ecstatic. He announced a huge celebration.

When the Panchal citizens came out they saw a huge wooden horse on the land where Kuru soldiers were encamped.
They thought to make it as their victory symbol. Ao they dragged it to their mainland.

Maharaj Prishata was beaming with joy. That night Panchal soldiers and citizens drank and partied alike. Finally they were tired and slept.

After sometime when there was complete silence. A small door like opening wasseen on the belly of wooden horse and a soldier came out and made sure no was watching or awake. Soon many soldiers came out and they quietly went towards the city gate and opened it. By then the Hastinapur army has returned and they were waiting for the signal. As soon as the gate was opened. The kuru army attacked with full force.

Panchal forces were caught off guard. They never expected it. By the time they could regroup and lauch a response. Much damage was inflicted to the coty and their Maharaj has suffered an embarrassing defeat as Bhishma was able to whisk away the drunkard Vichitravirya.