45. Karna gets brahmastra from Parashuram

But Parashuram had a mercurial temperament and could flare up on small omissions and commissions. To avoid incurring his wrath, he took every precaution. On archery, Karna was working really hard. He would go any length to follow his Master’s precepts – practise tirelessly from dawn to dusk to make him happy and learn more weapons and take lessons on the art of warfare. Parashuram had also somehow developed a soft corner for the bright young disciple and taught him like a loving and caring father. In course of time, he gave Karna lessons in handling of divyastras. As days passed, Karna was growing as an outstanding archer. The crowning success of his apprenticeship came one day, when his Guru gave him brahmastra, one of the most powerful divaystras. Karna’s joy knew no bounds.

42. Arjun gets Brahmastra from Dronacharya

Over the next few days the Guru kept a track of both the disciples. Although he had a natural bias for his son, he could not help liking Arjun equally if not more, as the Pandava prince was proving to be more devoted, talented, self-possessed and above all a worthy learner.

In an auspicious day, the Master called Arjun and said,

‘Son, I am satisfied by your progress and intend to hand you over one of the most powerful divyastras. this is a brahmastra by category and as such infallible. Most certainly it would destroy the target. Are you ready to receive?’ he asked Arjun.

‘It is my fortune Sir, that you deem me to be fit for the weapon. I am at your feet to learn.’ – Arjun replied.

Dronacharya gave a brief background:

‘This weapon is called “Brahmashir’. My Guru Agnivesh received it from Saint Agastya and gave it to me after I pleased him with hard work and devotion. And now I give it to you as I find you to be the fittest of all my disciples including my son Aswathama, to tell you the truth. But..’ he seemed to be pondering a while keeping Arjun in great suspense.

‘But what Sir? Kindly order me. I am prepared to undergo any hardship as you may ask of me, whether you give me this weapon or not. I count your blessings more important than anything else.’ – Arjun submitted with poise, dignity and devotion.

Dronacharya did not seem to listen these words. After some pause, he continued from where he had left,

‘ But you need to promise me two things. First, you must never make a wrong use of it – in fact, on the humans as they are too weak to withstand its immense force. May be you would find it useful against brute force like demons or extra territorial forces like Gandharvas. Second, you must give me words that, should the situation demands, you will not be afraid to fight against me, your Guru,.’

Arjun agreed. Touching the lotus feet of Dronacharya, he said, ‘Master, I promise’. As the hugely powerful weapon passed from Guru to his disciple, there was a metamorphosis in Arjun’s life. His confidence grew enormously at one stroke. He had a feeling he could now fight against any force in the creation – in the world, netherworld and heaven.

27. Dronacharya and Arjun

Dronacharya was a veteran teacher – he assessed the individual capabilities and imparted knowledge according to one’s ability to receive and absorb. His discerning eyes observed that out of the whole lot, Arjun was not only was immensely talented but also had an insatiable thirst for leaning and made use of every bit of the waking hours to develop his expertise. Once in the dead of the night the Acharya was surprised to hear the repeated sounds of bowstrings coming from the camp adjoining his house where the princes were lodged. Out of curiosity he followed the sound, reached the camp and discovered while other princes were deep asleep, Arjun was applying the bowstring in his arrow and pulling it in pitch darkness.

The next day on being questioned as to how he could handle the bow in the darkness of night, Arjun said: ‘Master, once in a dark night while eating the candle in my room was blown off by strong wind, but yet I could finish my food. At that time it struck me that though my eyes could not see a thing, my hands were never missing my mouth. Thus I realized practise could do wonders. Since then I have been working hard and I can now feel the bow as an extended arm of mine.’  Dronacharya was glad to hear his disciple.

26. Dronacharya begins to train the princes at Hastinapuri

On the first day as the Guru, Dronacharya was thronged by enthusiastic princes – both Kauravas and Pandavas.  Aswathama, the son of the master, was also one of the students. Before he began the lessons, the Master said: 

"Sons, I would teach you the best of warfare and make you most adept in handling of arms. One day you would make Hastinapur proud of your achievements. But before I begin your lessons, may I have an assurance from you all?"

The young princes were both curious and surprised. A silence descended. While they fixed their gazes on their new Guru's face, Dronacharya continued:

" I would love to have an assurance that you will give me the Gurudakshina" that I may ask from you at the end.- whatever that may be’ 

The silence that was breached by the Guru's solemn utterances  now returned. It was almost deafening now. Unsure of what their Master might ask of them, they began to exchange glances amongst themselves as if in search of a clue.  The Acharya seemed to have been greatly upset at the lack of response when Arjun came forward, touched his feet and said, 

" Sir, I promise I will do anything to give whatever you ask of me". 

Dronacharya spotted this prince and his eyes were filled with tears of joy. From that very moment he had singled out Arjun for special attention.

As preparatory to his larger plan, Dronacharya conducted proficiency tests for the princes and accordingly organized lessons for each. This was done to ensure all the princes had an acquaintance with all types of arms but each had special training in the handling of the weapon in which he had a knack or proficiency. Arjun showed great potential as an archer, Bhim and Duryodhan in the handling of maces,  and so on. Aswathama, the Master’s son, also displayed his potential in archery. The arms lesson thus began in earnest.