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.

65. After Bhim-Duryodhan duel, enters Arjun

Now that most princes had finished showing their skill and finesse, Arjun was left to be the final attraction. However, the prospect of seeing a gada yuddh or  mace duel, even if a friendly, continued to animate the huge body of spectators. Dronacharya relented to the relentless roars of public urging, The two mighty orinces – Duryadhon, the eldest Kaurava prince and Bhim – the middle Pandava entered the arena with two huge Gadas. Both princes very well built and handsome, and both seemed to be powerhouse of power and strength. They whirled their weapon in the air and began moving in circles looking for an opportunity to hit the opponent first. For quite some time neither could find a chink in his opponent. That spoke of the exalted standard of their learning. Eventually, the two maces came at each other simultaneously, clashed and released series of sparks into the surrounding air. Deafening sound was raised. That began a course of a very interesting duel. The gadas kept clashing at each other and sparks flew thick and fast. The spectators speculated that if one of those strokes had landed on it, even an adult elephant’s head would be crushed instantly.  As the two princes kept charging at each other, the people were rendered spell bound. The tension was even more palpable at the royal gallery.  As people kept speculating as to who was the more versatile warrior of the two, considerable was passed. There was no definite outcome. But it was likely to remain that way as it was a mere show and friendly at that. After an hour or so Dronacharya asked the two princes to retire. Thereafter he  made the announcement for which the whole stadium was eagerly waiting. Drona called Arjun to the arena. There was commotion all around. Amongst all one young man seated at the visitors’ gallery was seen especially interested to watch the event that Drona has just announced. This Young man is no other than Karna

64. Enter the Pandava Princes in the Arena - People give them Standing Ovation

After Dhritarshtra’s sons gave spectacular display of their performance, Guru called the Pandava Princes. People rose and gave them a standing ovation even before they begun to exhibit their skill. Kunti’s heart became filled with joy and pride. The blind king heard the roar and enquired from the attendant whether the Pandavas have displayed some extra-ordinary feat. ‘Your Majesty’, the attendant said, ‘the Pandava princes have just been called in. They are yet to start’. The reply dampened the King’s heart.  His shrewd mind at once reckoned that this huge noise of approval only reflected the popularity of his late brother’s sons.

Sahadev, Nakul and Yudhisthir showed their magnificent skill in driving chariot, sword fight and handling of spears besides archery. The people were spell bound. Thereafter came Bhim. He received unprecedented welcome. He was already known for his legendary strength and simplicity. In a pleasant surprise Bhim at first gave a fine display of archery. Then he took up a huge mace and twirled it so fast and so easily that it could not be seen at all. The people assembled in the stadium had never seen such a feat in their life time. Earlier, Duryodhan had shown to them his exalted skill in handling the same weapon. But Bhim seemed to have surpassed even that. The whole stadium was agog with the speculation as to who handled the mace better- Bhim or Duryodhan?

There were repeated suggestions to Guru Dronacharya if these two princes could be brought together?

63. Dhritastra's sons give good account of their skill

By the time Karna settled down in the gallery nearest to the main arena, the show had begun. The brothers of Duryodhan got opportunity to display their skill. There were a large number of them. Some showed their proficiency in archery, some in operating mace, some in driving spears. As they, one by one, finished their turn, people clapped and encouraged. Of them Dushashan and Bikarna, two brothers of Duryodhan distinguished themselves with very high standard of archery. Though the blind royal couple could not see the feats of their sons, their attendant kept giving them a vivid description. The sound of appreciation rose from the audience at intervals.

62. Kunti reminisces her lost son Karna

Karna managed to enter the stadium few moments before the show started. It was jam packed and it would be impossible for anybody to walk through the sea of humanity that stood between the gate and  in front of the space where the princes stood with Guru Dronacharya. But as Karna walked, the people made way for him. There was something special in his appearance. Some mistook him as one of the princes unless they saw his dresses closely. Young, strong, handsome with aura surrounding his face, he was simply extraordinary. He also carried his large bow. When people near him had a look at at, they became curious.

In the royal gallery, Kunti was seated by the side of Gandhari. Her mind was restless. She was of course happy in anticipation of seeing her sons perform some extraordinary feat. Everyone had told her about their learning and skill. But her motherly heart repeatedly went searching her first son whom she had placed on the river. Her first son, Kunti remembered, was of Lord Sun. And he carried every mark of his powerful father. How pleasant it would have been, Kunti tried to imagine, if her first son too was participating in today’s event. In every way he was qualified to do so, with other princes. Kunti thought and thought. Her eyes became misty.