hero.  Why dost thou, therefore, desire, the revival of our former friendship?  O thou of simple understanding, great kings can never have friendship with such indigent and luckless wight as thou?  One who is not a king can never have a king for his friend.  I do not remember ever having promised thee my kingdom.  But, O Brahmana, I can now give thee food and shelter for one night.’—­Thus addressed by him, I left his presence quickly with my wife, vowing to do that which I will certainly do soon enough.  Thus insulted by Drupada, O Bhishma, I have been filled with wrath, I have come to the Kurus, desirous of obtaining intelligent and docile pupils.  I come to Hastinapura to gratify thy wishes.  O, tell me what I am to do.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Thus addressed by the son of Bharadwaja, Bhishma said unto him, ’String thy bow, O Brahmana, and make the Kuru princes accomplished in arms.  Worshipped by the Kurus, enjoy with a glad heart to thy fill every comfort in their abode.  Thou art the absolute lord, O Brahmana, of what ever wealth the Kurus have and of their sovereignty and kingdom!  The Kurus are thine (from this day).  Think that as already accomplished which may be in thy heart.  Thou art, O Brahmana, obtained by us as the fruit of our great good luck.  Indeed, the favour thou hast conferred upon me by thy arrival is great.’

SECTION CXXXIV

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Thus worshipped by Bhishma, Drona, that first of men, endued with great energy, took up his quarters in the abode of the Kurus and continued to live there, receiving their adorations.  After he had rested a while, Bhishma, taking with him his grandsons, the Kaurava princes, gave them unto him as pupils, making at the same time many valuable presents.  And the mighty one (Bhishma) also joyfully gave unto the son of Bharadwaja a house that was tidy and neat and well-filled with paddy and every kind of wealth.  And that first of archers, Drona, thereupon joyfully, accepted the Kauravas, viz., the sons of Pandu and Dhritarashtra, as his pupils.  And having accepted them all as his pupils, one day Drona called them apart and making them touch his feet, said to them with a swelling heart, ’I have in my heart a particular purpose.  Promise me truly, ye sinless ones, that when ye have become skilled in arms, ye will accomplish it.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Hearing these words, the Kuru princes remained silent.  But Arjuna, O king, vowed to accomplish it whatever it was.  Drona then cheerfully clasped Arjuna to his bosom and took the scent of his head repeatedly, shedding tears of joy all the while.  Then Drona endued with great prowess taught the sons of Pandu (the use of) many weapons both celestial and human.  And, O bull of the Bharata race, many other princes also flocked to that best of Brahmanas for instruction in arms.  The Vrishnis and the Andhakas, and princes