After finishing his meal, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, kept his hand steady and focused, never letting it stray carelessly—his radiant hand acted with purpose and grace. Taking this as a discipline, the mighty-armed Pandava, son of Pandu, devoted himself to practicing with his bow even at night, perfecting his art through tireless exercises. One night, Drona, his revered teacher, heard the resonant twang of Arjuna’s bow. Drawn by the sound, Drona approached, embraced Arjuna warmly, and declared, “I will strive so that no other archer in the world will equal you—this is my solemn promise to you.” Thereafter, Drona further instructed Arjuna in the arts of war: mastery over horses, elephants, chariots, and combat on foot. Drona also taught the Kauravas the arts of mace-fighting, swordsmanship, the use of javelins, spears, and darts, as well as the conduct of battles fought with many weapons. News of Drona’s remarkable teaching spread far and wide, and thousands of princes and sons of kings, eager to learn the science of archery, gathered to study under him. Among those who came was Ekalavya, son of the Niṣāda king Hiranyadhanu. Approaching Drona, Ekalavya sought to become his disciple. But Drona, mindful of righteousness in archery and wishing to accept only certain students, did not admit Ekalavya, saying, “You are not my disciple, O Niṣāda. You are skilled in the use of weapons. Return to your home—you have my blessing always.” Yet Ekalavya, bowing low at Drona’s feet, retreated into the forest. There, with utmost devotion, he fashioned a clay image of Drona and, observing the strictest vows, undertook the discipline of a true pupil. With unwavering faith and intense concentration, Ekalavya mastered the science of archery, attaining supreme skill in releasing, holding, and aiming arrows. He soon developed a remarkable lightness of hand and mastery over weapons. Once, with Drona’s permission, the Kurus and Pandavas set out together on a hunt, eager to test their strength. By chance, a man accompanied them, bringing along a dog. As they wandered through the forest, the dog, playing along the path, came across the Niṣāda youth—Ekalavya—whose body was smeared with black mud, clad in a black antelope skin, with matted locks. The dog stood near Ekalavya, barking incessantly. In a dazzling display of archery, Ekalavya loosed seven arrows at once into the dog’s mouth, stilling its bark without causing it harm. The dog, its mouth filled with arrows, returned to the Pandavas, who were struck with wonder at the skill and speed of the archer who had accomplished such a feat. Marveling at this supreme display—especially the skill in shooting by sound—the Pandavas were both humbled and full of praise. Curious, they searched the forest and found the forest-dweller ceaselessly releasing arrows, yet, because of his altered appearance, they did not recognize him. They asked, “Who are you, and whose son are you?” Ekalavya answered, “Know me as the son of the Niṣāda king Hiranyadhanu, a student of Drona, who has mastered the difficult Vedas.” Hearing this, the Pandavas returned and recounted everything to Drona, amazed by what they had witnessed. Arjuna, son of Kunti, recalling Drona’s promise, approached his teacher privately and spoke with affection, “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 Niṣāda king, who is greater than I in skill?” Drona, reflecting for a moment, took Arjuna and went to meet Ekalavya. They found him with his body smeared with dirt, hair matted, clothed in bark, bow in hand, ceaselessly practicing. Seeing Drona, Ekalavya approached, greeted him respectfully, and bowed low before him. Honoring Drona as his teacher, Ekalavya stood with joined palms and declared himself his disciple. Then Drona said, “If you truly consider me your teacher, O hero, give me my teacher’s fee.” Ekalavya replied joyfully, “What shall I give, revered one? Command me.” Drona said, “Give me your right thumb.” Hearing these harsh words, Ekalavya, steadfast in truth and his vow, resolved to fulfill his promise. With a cheerful face and steady mind, without hesitation, he cut off his right thumb and offered it to Drona. Thereafter, though he continued to draw his bowstring with his fingers, he was no longer as swift as before. Arjuna was satisfied and free of anxiety, and Drona, true to his word, ensured that no one would surpass Arjuna. At that time, Drona also had two pupils who excelled in mace-fighting: Duryodhana and Bhima, both fierce and wrathful. Among all, Ashvatthama excelled in secret techniques, and the twin sons of Madri, both mighty, surpassed others as well.