Even as the
training of the princes, Kauravas and Pandavas, were coming to an end Hastinapuri
began to be filled with different kinds of rumours. The ordinary people could
hardly understand the nuances of the lessons that the princes mastered over
last several years, but some news, emanating intermittently from the training
camps, were too weighty not to move them. That Bhim and Duryodhan both
developed the highest level of skills in handling of their maces was one such. It
became a matter of frequent discussion amongst the citizens, most of whom had a
soft corner for the middle Pandava. The story of Duryodhan’s attempt to
administer poison to and drowning Bhim in the Ganges some years ago, though was
never officially accepted, had no difficulty in evoking complete acceptance of
the masses. They were unhappy to reconcile to the assumption that Duryodhan was
an equal to their favourite Bhim. But then, some amongst them claiming some kinds
of special expertise in the matter of warfare, would comfort these citizens
saying Bhim had some special skills which he would most certainly bring round
in the event of a duel. They also pointed out that as per as physical strength
went, Bhim was head and shoulder above. The citizens also discussed about
Yudhisthir’s skill in fighting with the spear, and the experise of Nakul and
Sahadev in sword fight and horse riding. What however obviously surpassed all
these stuff was the news that their very favoured prince Arjun has received the
most powerful weapon on the earth – the Brahmastra from Guru Dronacharya.
Thus both the
palace and the roads, the royalties and the masses began to discuss more and
more about the profile of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes at the end of their
formal training.
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