“Some time after, O bull of Bharata’s race, Drona, accompanied by all of his pupils, went to the bank of the Ganga to bathe in that sacred stream.  And when Drona had plunged into the stream, a strong alligator, sent as it were, by Death himself seized him by the thigh.  And though himself quite capable, Drona in a seeming hurry asked his pupil to rescue him.  And he said, ‘O, kill this monster and rescue me.’  Contemporaneously with this speech, Vibhatsu (Arjuna) struck the monster within the water with five sharp arrows irresistible in their course, while the other pupils stood confounded, each at his place.  Beholding Arjuna’s readiness, Drona considered him to be the foremost of all his pupils, and became highly pleased.  The monster, in the meantime cut into pieces by the arrows of Arjuna, released the thigh of illustrious Drona and gave up the ghost.  The son of Bharadwaja then addressed the illustrious and mighty car-warrior Arjuna and said, ’Accept, O thou of mighty arms, this very superior and irresistible weapon called Brahmasira with the methods of hurling and recalling it.  Thou must not, however, ever use it against any human foe, for if hurled at any foe endued with inferior energy, it might burn the whole universe.  It is said, O child, that this weapon hath not a peer in the three worlds.  Keep it, therefore, with great care, and listen to what I say.  If ever, O hero, any foe, not human, contendeth against thee thou mayst then employ it against him for compassing his death in battle.’  Pledging himself to do what he was bid, Vibhatsu then, with joined hands, received that great weapon.

The preceptor then, addressing him again, said, ’None else in this world will ever become a superior bowman to thee.  Vanquished thou shall never be by any foe, and thy achievements will be great.’”

SECTION CXXXVI

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’O thou of Bharata’s race, beholding the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu accomplished in arms, Drona, O monarch, addressed king Dhritarashtra, in the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, Valhika, the wise son of Ganga (Bhishma), Vyasa, and Vidura, and said, ’O best of Kuru kings, thy children have completed their education.  With thy permission, O king, let them now show their proficiency.’  Hearing him, the king said with a gladdened heart, ’O best of Brahmanas, thou hast, indeed, accomplished a great deed.  Command me thyself as to the place and the time where and when and the manner also in which the trial may be held.  Grief arising from my own blindness maketh me envy those who, blessed with sight, will behold my children’s prowess in arm.  O Kshatri (Vidura), do all that Drona sayeth.  O thou devoted to virtue, I think there is nothing that can be more agreeable to me.’  Then Vidura, giving the necessary assurance to the king, went out to do what he was bid.  And Drona endued with great wisdom, then measured out a piece