Because of his deep devotion to the science of weapons, Arjuna soon distinguished himself among all the princes. His skill in archery became renowned—not only for his equal application of weapons, but also for his speed and excellence. Among all Drona’s disciples, Arjuna surpassed the rest, and Drona regarded him as equal to Indra himself in the mastery of arms. Drona continued to teach all the princes archery, and after a considerable time, he gave each of them a water pot for a particular rite. To his own son, Drona gave a pitcher without delay, but he did not perform the supreme rite for him until his son approached. Drona instructed his son in the task, and the victorious Ashvatthama filled the water pot using the Varuna weapon. Arjuna, known as Phalguna, approached the teacher together with the teacher's son, and from Ashvatthama he received special instruction, not separately but alongside him. The intelligent Partha, foremost among those skilled in weapons, was not surpassed by any; he made the utmost effort in honoring his teacher. In weapons, Arjuna attained supreme mastery and became especially dear to Drona, who observed his constant diligence in archery. One day, Drona called the charioteer aside and instructed him privately: “Never give food to Arjuna in the dark, nor should you reveal this to anyone. My words must be obeyed.” Yet once, as Arjuna was eating, a sudden gust of wind extinguished the lamp, though it was burning. Even in darkness, Arjuna finished his meal without letting his hand stray, his movements precise and radiant. Realizing this could be used for practice, the mighty-armed Pandava began to perform suitable exercises with the bow even at night. Drona heard the resounding twang of Arjuna’s bow, and, approaching him, rose and embraced him, declaring, “I will strive so that no other archer in the world will become your equal; this is the truth I speak to you.” Drona then further instructed Arjuna in the arts of war—fighting on horseback, on elephants, in chariots, and on foot. He also taught the Kauravas mace-fighting, swordsmanship, the use of javelins, spears, darts, and the conduct of mixed battles. Hearing of Drona’s skill, thousands of princes and sons of kings gathered together, eager to master the science of archery. Drona, foremost among weapon-bearers, instructed them all. Then, O King, Ekalavya, son of the Nishada king Hiranyadhanu, approached Drona seeking instruction. Drona did not accept him, considering him a Nishada, and wishing to take as disciples only those he deemed proper. He said, “You are not my disciple, O Nishada; you excel in the use of weapons. Return to your home—you have my constant permission.” But Ekalavya, mighty in spirit, bowed at Drona’s feet and went into the forest. There, he fashioned a clay image of Drona and adopted the highest discipline of a pupil, undertaking strict vows and devoting himself to mastery of archery. With supreme faith and intense concentration, Ekalavya attained the utmost skill in releasing, holding, and aiming arrows. He soon acquired lightness of hand and mastery of weapons. Then, once permitted by Drona, the Kurus and Pandavas set out in chariots for the hunt, eager to subdue their foes. By chance, a man took up his equipment and followed the Pandavas, bringing a dog along. As they wandered about, intent on various deeds, the dog, playing along the path, went toward the Nishada youth. Seeing him—his body smeared with black mud, wearing a black antelope skin and matted locks—the dog stood nearby and barked. In response, Ekalavya loosed seven arrows at the dog’s mouth all at once, displaying his swiftness in archery. The dog, its mouth filled with arrows, came to the Pandavas. Seeing this, the heroic Pandavas were struck with great wonder. Witnessing such supreme swiftness and skill in hitting by sound alone, they were both abashed and full of praise for him. Seeking the archer, the Pandavas searched the forest and saw the forest-dweller ceaselessly releasing arrows. But at that time, because his appearance was altered, they did not recognize him. They questioned, “Who are you, and whose son are you?” Ekalavya replied, “Know me as the son of the Nishada king Hiranyadhanus, a student of Drona, who has mastered the difficult Vedas.” Learning this, the Pandavas returned and told Drona everything that had happened in the forest, marveling at the skill they had witnessed. Then Arjuna, son of Kunti, remembering Ekalavya, approached Drona privately and spoke affectionately: “Did you not once embrace me and say, ‘No student of mine will surpass you’?” “Then why is there now another student of yours, the valiant son of the Nishada king, who is greater than I in skill?” Drona, pondering this for a moment, took Arjuna and went to see the Nishada youth. He saw Ekalavya, his body smeared with dirt, hair matted, clothed in bark, holding a bow and ceaselessly shooting arrows. Seeing Drona approaching, Ekalavya came near, greeted him respectfully, and bowed his head to the ground.