59. The show begins

With permissions from the guru, the demonstrations began.

Every form of arms handling was displayed – archery, mace, sword, spear, simiter – what not. The archers kept shooting down targets repeatedly to the loud cheering  of the sea of people assembled. Stationary targets were replaced by those in motion – but, that did not make much of a difference. While sometimes duels were fought, at other times a prince would singularly defend himself against large groups. So sublime was their expertise, it seemed the eagerness of the spectator had succumbed to their awe.

Many gave fascinating display of driving chariots – they drove these at such speed and with such control that left spectators speechless. Some of the princes showed great skill in riding horses and elephants. The spectators were ecstatic seeing such wonderful feats.

58. Dronacharya takes a final look

The guru felt great satisfaction today. It was a day of demonstration of not just what the princes learnt – today the world would witness too what he taught his young royal disciples all these years. Dronacharya was full of expectations. And suddenly a vague feeling arose in him that seemed to say his long period of waiting to realise an important goal was coming to an end. He tried to track that thought to its origin and there he saw the cruel visage of King Drupad mocking at him.  He reckoned that the day of revenge was not far off. But of course this was not the time to ponder over a thing that was very personal. He had great responsibility to demonstrate before King Dhritarashtra, Pitamaha Bhisma, to entire royalty and above all the people of Hastinapuri that he had made invincible warriors of these young princes. And then he looked around and saw one of these princes wearing milky white robes, silver armour dazzling on his handsome tall body- inches taller than his own self, but standing with hands folded in reverence and waiting for command. This young Prince Arjun delighted him.