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.