24. Dronacharya on the way to Hastinapuri

Humiliated by King Drupad right before a full royal court, the fire of revenge kept consuming Dronacharya. For few days, he was mulling next course of action. The diplomat in him suggested that his objective would be better served by using another powerful kingdom against the Panchals. And what could be better than Hastinapuri for this purpose, he reasoned. Without a doubt, that kingdom was the strongest on the earth. Besides, Kripacharya, his brother in law, was already the ‘Astra Guru’ of the princes there and he was respected by one and all in that country. He knew Kripacharya would only be too happy to see him there. So on one auspicious day, he set out for the capital of the Kauravas.

By the time he was in the vicinity of the city, the sun was in the mid sky. The entire brigade of princes, Kauravas and Pandavas, were out on an excursion in that place. They were playing with a metallic ball, which somehow escaped and fell into a deep well. The princes thronged the mouth of the well and trying various tricks to retrieve it without success. Dronacharya, who was passing by, observed their actions with curiosity. Seeing the princes discomfited and resigned, he provoked them – ‘Seems you have not learnt basics of archery. Can’t  take a simple ball out of a well?’ The princes felt humiliated but they had no fitting answer. A smart one quipped as a face-saver, ‘Sir, it is easy to say as you have. But can you do it yourself?’ At this the Master of archery smiled and said, ‘Just behold! See how easy the task is.’ Before the assembly of the curious princes the Acharya took a sharp-edged straw, and darted it inside the well. Surprisingly that straw pierced the ball. Then he shot another straw that  pierced the first one’s tail. Quickly he built a chain of straws and using the chain easily pulled   the ball out.’ This was the display of a sublime skill that left the princes dumbfounded. To their further astonishment now he threw a ring from his finger into the well and retrieved it by shooting an arrow. The princes had never seen anything so wonderful till then. Whereas few clung to the Acharya inquiring about his identity, the rest rushed to the grandfather Bhisma to recount the story.

23. Dronacharya leaves Drupad's court hurt, insulted

And, so Drona went on to remind Drupad of their past association. In the course, Drona reminded the king of the latter’s promise. The eyes of those present shone with interest on hearing Drona’s story. An irritated Drupad cut short Drona.and said –

‘You say we were close friends. Yet, I don’t recall any association. It does not befit a Brahmin to lie thus.’

Drona was left speechless at these words. Drupad continued –

‘You try to conjure imaginary friendship between the two of us only for your selfish interests. Hear me, O Brahmin, friendship is for two equals. Even if we were friends in our early days as you speak, that was okay then for we were equal as children. But, now I am the King of a huge empire and you are a penniless beggar trying to make money by sketching relationships. Ridiculous to claim any friendship between the two of us.’

Standing frozen, Drona could hear a couple of stifled laughs in the court. His heart was pounding, and blood gushing to his brain. Yet, he silently stood there as if the goddess of speech had forsaken him.

‘Had you come here as a beggar, I would have given you alms as befitting a Brahmin. You on the other hand, come here and tell me of your claim on half of the Panchal kingdom.’

On this Drona blurted out –

‘You have misunderstood .. I don’t ask for half ..’

‘There is no place for people like you in Panchal. Leave the court immediately and don’t bring such ideas into your mind any more’, Drupad cut him short.

His hands cold, eyes and ears shocked, Drona did not know how to react.

Surrounded by murmuring and chuckles in the court, the Brahmin walked out of the court. Drupad’s words fired the fuel of Drona’s honour and inflamed the fire of revenge.

21. King Drupad - a happy and contented man

The palace of King Drupad in Kampilyanagari looked stunning. His court was huge, and adorned with a number of great people from different spheres of life. Seated at his bejeweled crown, Drupad looked at the court and felt satisfied and happy. Most of his problems have passed away like bad dreams. His daughter turned son Shikhandi has groomed up as an excellent prince and warrior. He also got a pair of heavenly children – a son and a daughter from the sacred fire of the ‘Yajna’ – Dhristadumnya and Draupadi. They too were growing up nicely.  A successful king and administrator, he had handled his responsibilities- both royal and domestic- well, and his subjects were happy.

 He did not care to remember much of his past – his childhood, his education, his friends. The present was a comfortable and enjoyable time.

Way back, in his teens, while taking lessons on scripture and archery, he had a very good friend, Drona. Son of sage Bharadwaj, Drona was poor, but, exceptionally bright as a student. Drupad had found a faithful companion in him, who helped him throughout their childhood association. Driven by the spirit of deep friendship, Drupad once promised Drona half his kingdom after he would ascend the throne.

20. REUNION BETWEEN PANDAVA BROTHERS

Since Bhim went missing, his brothers went about their daily chores but as if they were lifeless. For past some time the boys were taking their arms training from the revered Kripacharya. The vanishing of Bhim had snatched their interest to live, let alone learn. However, Duryodhan seemed to be very ebullient and happy which confirmed their suspicion that he had a role in Bhim’s disappearance.

 

On the eighth morning as the crest-fallen brothers were preparing to go for yet another day’s routine arms lessons, there was  huge banging on the door. Yudhisthir opened it, and the sweetest surprise was waiting to unravel. On the other side of the door stood Bhim dressed in elegant white. He appeared full of strength and vigour. There was a tearful reunion and Bhim narrated the full story starting from how he was poisoned by Duryodhan. The family decided that from now on the brothers should remain very alert and protect each other. They knew their fear was not imaginary and that dangers could arise any time from known or unknown sources. At the same time, Yudhisthir advised that it would be unwise to let their cousins know that they have found out the intentions and role of Duryodhan. Five brothers decided they would pretend as if they knew nothing.

 

Duryodhan and Dushashan were surprised to see Bhim back. Not only that, they were intrigued to find out he has grown much stronger on return. They could not solve the riddle. Visibly unhappy and dismayed they kept looking for next chances to harm their cousins.

19. RETURN OF BHIM

As the relationship was unveiled, the tension and enmity disappeared as if in flash. After a hearty embrace by the grand dad, Bhim was ushered into the palace. He was badly injured and exhausted. Vasuki took every care to nurse him back to health. Some of his ministers suggested that Bhim be given ‘nectar’ for drinking. It was a very generous suggestion as Nagaloka reserved this rare drink for very special purposes.  The fiercest and strongest of the Naga soldiers safeguarded this drink for ages. As the king happily agreed to the proposition, the most coveted beverage in the earth was served to his young descendant. Before the tender and caring eyes of his hosts the Pandava drank the nectar. And it was sheer magic. All his tire and fatigue vanished and what is more, he felt his whole self was inundated by endless waves of energy as if those flowed from an infinite storehouse. As he was trying to make out the reason for his sudden transformation, Vasuki affectionately said that this nectar has now invested him with the strength of a thousand of adult elephants. Even earlier Bhim had great physical strength. Now he felt he could shake the earth.

 Bhim had a pleasant stay in the Nagalok. On the eighth day, Vasuki said,

 ‘Son, how I wish you stayed here for many more days. But I am worried about your mother and brothers. They must have turned a tormented lot by now. It would be selfish to detain you here. You should return to them without more delay.’

The strange course of events over the last few days had Bhim nearly forget his family. As soon as they came into his mind, he was nostalgic and prepared to return. Dressed in an elegant white cloth and forehead smeared with sandal powder he took leave of his great grandfather. A few giant snakes carried him on their hood and reached them on the riverbank. Bubbling with energy and enthusiasm, Bhim started for his home.

18. Vasuki, the king of the serpent country, embraces Bhim

Some distance away, the battle was still raging. The snakes would have numbered to several hundreds. But, by now, most preferred to slip into crevices in the watery rocks. During this time, the huge frame of Vasuki could be seen approaching from the west. It did not take long for Bhim to take notice of the towering figure. For a moment, Bhim did feel that this fight may not be an easy one. However, as it was to be, Vasuki’s appearance itself had a calming influence on everyone present, including Bhim. The fierce combat stopped. Looking at the graceful, charming and presently gravely injured Bhim, Basuki was suddenly flooded with tender feelings and he said:

 

‘Young man, you seem to be a prince. What’s your name? Tell me, how did you land here?’

Although generally aggressive, Bhim was touched by the affection. He responded:

‘I am Bhim, son of queen Kunti’.

Curious and beginning to understand the reasons for his attraction for the young lad, Vasuki said,

‘Kunti!  You mean the daughter of King Kunti Bhoj?’

‘Yes Sir. Precisely so. Do you know her?’

Vasuki rushed and embraced Bhim and said,

‘Very much dear. She is my granddaughter. I am so happy that I ‘m meeting her son today. Son! Come closer, give me a hug.’

17. Snakes run away ftom Bhim, rushes to Vasuki

With hundreds of poisonous snakes wriggling around his body hissing in anger and biting without relent, any one else would have been mortally afraid. But Bhim knew no fear. His first action was to tear asunder the ropes that restricted his mobility. Then caught hold of some of his enemies by their tail, tossed them around and threw away. Yet some others were simply crushed to death. The snakes were already upset that the venom, their most potent weapon, was of no use against this strange enemy. On top of that they were least prepared for a full-scale physical assault. Soon they were discomfited, left the field and rushed to Vasuki, their revered king.  

As they began to narrate their ordeal, their voices quivered in fear:

‘Your highness, the lord of the Nagaloka! …No less than a wonder that we are able to present ourselves to your majesty, our body and soul together,... not an iota of exaggeration this, Master, believe us...’.

The huge frame of the king was calm, while he learned about the extraordinary boy with amused attention.

‘We had to exercise all tricks at our command to escape from that boy. He verily looks the incarnation of death and has been causing mayhem in your peaceful kingdom. We submit your majesty visit the place – that backyard of death without delay.’