Hearing Arjuna’s solemn vow to fulfill his teacher’s request, the assembled Kauravas fell silent, awed by his promise. Arjuna’s pledge moved Drona deeply. With overflowing affection, Drona kissed Arjuna on the head, embraced him, and wept tears of joy. Calling his own son Ashvatthama to his side, Drona said, “Know this Partha as your friend. I give him to you—accept him.” Partha, that is, Arjuna, warmly embraced Ashvatthama, exclaiming, “Well done, well done!” and spoke with sincerity: “From this day, O foremost of Brahmins, I am bound to you by righteousness.” Turning to Drona, Arjuna declared, “O best of the twice-born, I am your disciple; by your grace alone I live.” With these words, Arjuna reverently bowed and grasped his teacher’s feet. Then mighty Drona began to instruct the sons of Pandu in the use of many weapons, both divine and earthly. Other royal youths also gathered, seeking instruction from Drona, the best among Brahmins. Princes of the Vrishnis, the Andhakas, and kings from distant lands, as well as Radheya, the son of a charioteer, came to Drona to learn the science of arms. Karna, the son of the charioteer, harbored fierce anger and, relying on Duryodhana, scorned the Pandavas, striving always to rival Arjuna. Eager to master archery, he too approached Drona. Yet, among all the students, Arjuna excelled in diligence and skill. By his devotion to the art of weaponry, Arjuna became renowned for his equal application of weapons, his swiftness, and his excellence. Above all the disciples, Arjuna stood supreme. In his teaching, Drona considered Arjuna equal to Indra himself. Thus did Drona teach all the princes archery. After some time, he gave each of them a water pot as part of their training. To his own son, Ashvatthama, Drona gave a pitcher without delay, but withheld the supreme rite until Ashvatthama approached him. Drona instructed his son in the task, and the victorious Ashvatthama filled his water pot using the Varuna weapon. Arjuna, together with Ashvatthama, approached their teacher and received special instruction, which Drona gave not separately but to both. Arjuna, intelligent and foremost among those skilled in arms, was never surpassed, and he strove with utmost effort to honor his teacher. In the science of weapons, Arjuna attained supreme mastery and became dear to Drona. Seeing Arjuna’s constant diligence in archery, Drona called the charioteer aside and instructed him privately, “Never give food to Arjuna in the dark, and do not reveal this to anyone. My words must be obeyed.” Yet one day, as Arjuna was eating, the wind blew and extinguished the lamp, though it was still burning. Even in darkness, Arjuna’s hand did not falter or stray, but moved unerringly, guided by habit. Noticing this, Arjuna thought, “This is practice.” Resolving to improve further, he began to practice with his bow at night, performing exercises suited to darkness. Drona heard the resonant twang of Arjuna’s bow and, approaching him, rose up and embraced him, saying, “I will strive so that no other archer in the world will be your equal. This is the truth I speak to you.” Thereafter, Drona instructed Arjuna further in the arts of war—on horseback, on elephants, in chariots, and on foot. To the Kauravas, Drona taught mace-fighting, swordsmanship, the use of javelins, spears, darts, and the conduct of mixed battles. News of Drona’s teaching spread, and thousands of princes and sons of kings, eager to master archery, gathered together. Drona, foremost among weapon-bearers, instructed them all. Then, Ekalavya, son of the Nishada king Hiranyadhanu, approached Drona. But Drona, mindful of righteousness in archery and choosing his disciples carefully, did not accept Ekalavya, considering him a Nishada. He said, “You are not my disciple, O Nishada, though you excel in the use of weapons. Return to your home—you have my constant permission.” Yet Ekalavya, bowing his head at Drona’s feet, withdrew into the forest. There, with great devotion, he fashioned a clay image of Drona and adopted the highest discipline of a pupil. Undertaking strict vows, Ekalavya devoted himself to mastering the science of archery. With supreme faith and intense concentration, Ekalavya attained the highest skill in releasing, holding, and aiming arrows. He soon acquired lightness of hand and mastery of weapons. Later, when Drona permitted, the Kurus and Pandavas set out in their chariots for a hunt, eager to display their prowess. By chance, a man followed them, bringing along a dog. As the princes wandered, the dog, playing along the path, came upon the Nishada youth. The dog saw Ekalavya, whose body was smeared with black mud, clad in a black antelope skin, and wearing matted locks. The dog stood nearby, barking at him. At that moment, Ekalavya, displaying his swiftness, loosed seven arrows at the dog’s mouth all at once. The dog, its mouth filled with arrows, returned to the Pandavas. Seeing this, the heroic Pandavas were filled with wonder. Witnessing such supreme skill—hitting a target by sound alone—they were both abashed and filled with praise for the Nishada youth.