As the Pāṇḍavas searched the forest, they came upon a remarkable sight: a forest-dweller, ceaselessly releasing arrows with astonishing skill. Yet, because his appearance was changed—his body smeared with dirt, hair matted, and clothed in bark—they did not recognize him. Curious, they approached and questioned him, “Who are you, and whose son are you?” The youth replied, “Know me as the son of the Niṣāda king Hiraṇyadhanus, a student of Droṇa, and one who has mastered the difficult Vedas.” Amazed by his words, the Pāṇḍavas returned to their teacher Droṇa, recounting all that had transpired in the forest. Later, Arjuna, the son of Kuntī, remembering Ekalavya, approached Droṇa privately. With gentle affection, he asked, “Did you not once embrace me and declare, ‘No student of mine will surpass you’? Yet now, there is another student of yours, the valiant son of the Niṣāda king, who seems greater than I in skill. How can this be?” Droṇa pondered Arjuna’s words for a moment. Then, taking Arjuna with him, he set out to see the Niṣāda youth. They found Ekalavya just as before—body covered in dust, hair matted, clad in bark, bow in hand, and never ceasing to shoot arrows. As Droṇa approached, Ekalavya came forward, bowed deeply, and greeted his teacher with utmost respect. Declaring himself Droṇa’s student, he stood with joined palms, awaiting his command. Droṇa then said, “If you truly count yourself my student, O hero, give me my teacher’s fee.” Joyfully, Ekalavya replied, “What shall I give, revered one? Command me, and I shall obey.” Droṇa said, “Let your right thumb be given to me.” Without hesitation, Ekalavya, steadfast in his vow and ever true, cut off his right thumb and offered it to Droṇa with a cheerful face and mind undisturbed. Thereafter, though he continued to draw his bowstring with his remaining fingers, his swiftness was lost. With this, Arjuna’s heart was satisfied and free from anxiety, and Droṇa’s promise that no student would surpass Arjuna was kept. At that time, among Droṇa’s pupils, Duryodhana and Bhima were skilled in mace-fighting, both fierce and wrathful. Ashvatthama excelled in secret techniques, and the twin sons of Madri were mighty and surpassed others. Yudhishthira was foremost among charioteers, but everywhere Dhananjaya—Arjuna—was renowned as the chief of chariot-warriors, famed to the ends of the sea. By intellect, discipline, strength, and enthusiasm, Arjuna was distinguished in all weapons, and above all, in his devotion to his teacher. Though all the princes received equal instruction, Arjuna alone became the supreme chariot-warrior among them. Yet, the sons of Dhritarashtra, wicked in mind, could not tolerate Bhimasena, who was dearer than life, nor Dhananjaya, accomplished in knowledge, nor even each other. One day, Droṇa, wishing to test his students’ mastery, gathered all the princes trained in every science and weapon. He had craftsmen secretly place an artificial bird atop a tree and designated it as the target. He addressed them, “All of you, quickly take up your bows, aim at this bird, and stand ready with arrows set, awaiting my command. At my word, let each of you, one by one, shoot and bring down its head.” First, Droṇa called Yudhishthira, “String your bow, steadfast one, and release your arrow at my command.” Yudhishthira, destroyer of foes, took up his bow and stood, aiming at the bird as his teacher instructed. Droṇa asked, “O bull of the Bharatas, do you see the bird atop the tree?” Yudhishthira replied, “I see it, O teacher. I see the bird on the tree.” Droṇa questioned further, “Do you see this tree, or me, or your brothers as well?” Yudhishthira answered, “I see this tree, you, my brothers, and the bird as well,” repeating his answer. Displeased, Droṇa told him to step aside, saying, “You cannot hit the target.” In the same manner, Droṇa tested Duryodhana, the other sons of Dhritarashtra, Bhima, and the kings from other regions. All gave similar answers, and Droṇa was not satisfied. Then, smiling, Droṇa addressed Dhananjaya, “Now you must strike this target; look upon it. At the very moment I give the word, release your arrow. Draw your bow and stand ready.” Thus instructed, Savyasāchi—Arjuna—stood with his bow drawn in a circle, aiming at the bird, his focus unwavering, awaiting his teacher’s command.