72. Karna enters, Bhim fumes, Duryodhan anticipates

Karna patiently waited on the sidelines as Arjun had sealed his triumph today. The crowds celebrated his last performance with loud cheers – everything else was subdued. Kunti’s heart swelled with pride.

None noticed when Karna walked up to Drona and humbly addressed him.

‘Karna’s pranams to the guru of such brilliant warriors!’

‘Sir, I am a citizen of this nation – having studied under the tutelage of Lord Parashuram - I seek your permission today to be allowed to join this festival today. Sir, it is my promise that I will repeat every single feet that the mighty Arjun just performed. I seek (beseech) your permission.’

Most on the stands did not notice the silent developments – but, all in the arena noticed the sudden developments. While Arjun was curious, Bhim raged with fury. Duryodhan smelt the scent of opportunity - he was not sure what – but, his intuitions promised him something good for the day.

With permissions from the guru, the final session of the day began.

71. The glory lay on the other side of the fence- he was just to cross the fence and grab

Meanwhile Kunti was happy. Another person was also delighted from heart. It was Pitamaha Bhisma. His veteran face was bright seeing his loved grandson accomplishing such feats.  Enraptured, he found himself lost in the feats Arjun was relentlessly displaying. The Pandavas were happy, people were happy. He knew that the next generation of the Kurus have now joined the big league of archers. Enraptured,Vidur was ecstatic describing events to the king and queen. Dronacharya was surprisingly delighted to witness how well his favourite disciple has absorbed his teachings- seemingly better than even his own son Aswathama!

As Duryodhan was moving towards the scene of the commotion worries were gnawing his heart. . What was displayed by his cousin Arjun today was not good omen. Though he knew about Bhim's enormous physical strength he fancied a chance of success for himself in a battle of maces. But he nor any of his brothers could match the archery prowess of Arjun. Thus while he was moving ahead to investigate the identity of that young man, he was very disquiet in heart.

For Karna it was too difficult to keep sitting any longer. Arjun was magnificent. At the same time with a mammoth gathering mesmerised by the magic of Arjun's archery, Karna realised that a door of opportunity has suddenly opened before him. It was 'the' occasion when he must present himself to the world. There would not be a worthier occasion. He was still inside the stadium struggling to enter into it. The other side of the fence lied glory – he only had to gather courage and grab it.

70. Who is this handsome Youngman? Duryodhan rushes to find out

Keeping them in a daze, Arjun then placed yet another arrow on his huge bow, chanted a mantra invoking  Pavan (the Wind God) and released it into the sky. In matter of seconds, mighty wind began to blow over the stadium and it began to gather strength. It seemed it could uproot the entire structure with all its people. Nervous audience clung to each other and prayed it spared them. Much to their relief, that mighty wind did them no harm and quickly changed its way and  directed its might to throw all the accumulated water miles away. The magic of the archery continued. The Pandava prince then used another arrow to set up a huge mountainous body in the stadum to stop the strong wind. Thereafter, he used yet another  divyastra to pulverize that huge solid mass into enormous specks of dust. And thereafter, much to the relief of the audience, he announced the ‘end’ of his display. He came down and touched the holy feet of his Guru Dronacharya seeking his blessings. The spectators were now relieved and  happy. They were ecstatic having seen an unusual spectacle and happy that they were completely  unhurt. Everyone began to sing glories of Arjun. Kunti, seated in the royal gallery by the side of Gandhari, was very happy and proud. 

While all were celebrating the prowess of the Pandava prince, there were gloom and despair amongst the Kauravas. Dhritarashtra, who was listening to the intermittent roars of applause on Arjun’s display was keeping a façade of happiness. But he was afflicted with jealousy and anxiety. Even more than him, his son Duryodhan, was upset. Arjun’s display had almost conclusively established the level differences between the Pandava and the Kaurava princes. But he knew not how to react or respond. At that time, his gaze was fixed on one part of the stadium where there seemed to be a small commotion.Taking a keener look he saw an extremely handsome Youngman trying to make his way into the stadium but being prevented by the sentries. Curious, he began to move towards that spot.

69. Arjun's mastery over archery keeps people spell-bound

The huge audience was almost scurrying for cover. Even though the raging fire was away from them, they were feeling its enormous heat. Seeing them  panicky, Arjun waved at them urging them to have patience. Then, he took out another arrow from his quiver, saluted it, and chanted a mantra , placed it on his bow string and pulled the string to its farthest limit. To their utter amazement, the vast audience saw the whole sky quickly turning black. Thick clouds began to envelop it, the sun retreated under their thick mass. And then the arrow was released by the Pandava prince into the sky. Within seconds, there began a very heavy down pour. This was no ordinary rain, but kind of cloud burst. It seemed as though, the whole sky load of clouds began to fall at once upon the earth. The fire was extinguished, the unbearable heat was gone. But the downpour seemed no less menacing. The vast masses assembled were bewildered by this sudden metamorphosis. The chill attendant with such torrential rain began to grip them. They were amazed at the power of the weapons that was being displayed by Arjun. But at the same time, they also began to become somewhat nervous, knowing not if these powerful weapons could tas well affect them badly!

68. Arjun releases a Divyastra and the whole sky was set on fire

There was a commotion in the vast audience. Most of them had no precise idea about 'Divyastrra' . But they only knew Divyastra were celestial weapons which were catastrohic in their destructive power. So they were overcome by both curiosity and fear. Sensing the mood of the audience Guru Dronacharya announced that the people had nothing to fear and that Arjun would direct the arrows to that open and unoccupied side of the stadium.
Then Arjun took out an arrow from his quiver and set it on the large bow held in his left hand. That arrow was very ordinary looking. Assembled people began to speculate as to how that benign looking arrow could be a divyastra? But it did not take long for their doubt to get settled. The young Pandava prince then saluted that arrow and began to utter a mantra. And before the eyes of the audience that was on its toe, a bright aura seemed to have enveloped him. Thereafter the arrow, that ordinary arrow, began to send off sparks alround. Arjun then pulled the bow string to its limit, directed the arrow to the sky and released it. A tremendous roar was raised as the arrow passed into the sky. To the awe of every one, that arrow seemed to set the whole sky afire!

67. Arjun kept spectators spell bound

Arjun first saluted Guru Dronacharya and sought his permission to start. Guru Blessed him. Then he ascended the vast platform and stood at its middle. There he shone like a mid-noon sun in the bosom of a vast blue sky. People leaned over each other to have a better look of this Pandava prince. His fame has already spread far and wide. There in the middle of the stage Arjun seemed to be an embodiment of calmness, composure and confidence. Hundreds of targets were set before him. He then smashed them with his arrows all without a single miss. Thereafter he started issuing arrows from his large bow relentlessly into the space. The spectators were unable to see how his hands moved. The arrows flew into the sky like torrential rains. Every one was spell bound. The Pandava prince thus stole the hearts of all.

And as everyone thought those were the end of his genius, a much greater surprise was waiting for them. Guru Dronacharya then asked his favorite disciple to give a demonstration with the divyastras or the weapons which were driven by the power of mantra.

66. Arjun enters, Karna's eyes freezes on him

The day so far was interesting. But, his wait had not ended. A few days back, when he sought his mother’s blessings when he was leaving for the capital, he was reminded the demonstration was not an open one. This one was for the princes, the royal heirs. Being the son of a charioteer was not an obstacle for him. It was because of his parents, he was whatever he was. They had encouraged him when he left home seeking the warrior saint. And even today, they did not stop him – they merely reminded him.

Karna for the past so many years with the single pointed mind of an ascetic had steadfastly pursued archery. Today he saw many shining examples of martial mastery. An eagerness to participate was difficult to subdue. While so many different thoughts fleeted his mind, the arena suddenly, it seemed, grew quite. He heard a few men enter into whispered conversations – it was now Arjun’s turn it seemed. Arjun’s reputation had escaped the fences of the Guru's ashram when he was still a young student. Many today, had just come to see him. Karna’s eyes froze on the white robes, the silver armour, and the huge frame – probably his own height.