The great Brahmin, foremost among men, prepared and performed the sacred ritual with meticulous care. Yaja, the learned priest, began the sacrifice for King Drupada, his heart set on the destruction of Drona. For the sake of his teacher, Drupada initiated the rite under Yaja’s guidance, and Upayaja, a sage of immense austerity, assisted the king in this solemn undertaking. Previously, Drupada had performed the Vaitāna ritual, desiring a son endowed with might, energy, and strength—a son who would fulfill his deepest wish. The scriptures promised that whatever kind of son was desired through such a rite, that very child would be born. Now, with the express intention of begetting a slayer of Bhāradvāja, King Drupada performed the sacrifice so that his purpose might be accomplished. The noble Brahmin, strict in his observance of ritual, offered the oblation as prescribed. Drupada’s wife, named Kausavī, also yearned for a son. At the proper time, after performing the Sautrāmaṇi rite, she approached the altar. When the sacrifice neared its end, the priest summoned the queen to the sacred fire. “Come to me, Queen Pṛṣati,” he called, “for a pair awaits you—a boy and a girl, destined to increase the royal lineage.” But the queen hesitated, replying, “My face is not anointed, yet I bear auspicious fragrances. I am not ready to be a mother. Remain, O priest, my dear.” Yaja reassured her, “The oblation consecrated by Yāja and sanctified by the Upayāja mantra—how could it fail to fulfill desire? Pṛṣati, go or stay as you wish.” With these words, the oblation was offered into the prepared fire. Suddenly, from the flames, a boy arose—resplendent as a god, terrifying in form, crowned and armored, a hero bearing sword, arrows, and bow, roaring again and again. He climbed into a splendid chariot and departed. At that very moment, a celestial, unseen voice rang out from the sky: “This one is both disciple and death for Bhāradvāja—a royal son who will remove fear and bring fame to the Pāñcālas. He is born to remove the king’s sorrow, and indeed, for the slaying of Droṇa.” The Pāñcālas, overjoyed, cheered and exclaimed, “Well done! Well done!” Then, as the priest offered the second oblation, sanctified by mantras, a maiden arose from the center of the altar, after Pṛṣati had declined and the rite was complete. Again, the fortunate Pāñcālī maiden emerged from the heart of the sacrificial enclosure—a lovely girl, radiant as the goddess of fortune herself. She was dark-complexioned, with eyes like lotus petals, hair curled and blue-black, and her human form shone with divine beauty. Her nails were coppery and prominent, her brows beautiful, her breasts full and charming, and her fragrance, like a blue lotus, spread far and wide. Her beauty was supreme, unmatched on earth, and even gods, Dānavas, and Yakṣas desired her. Then, another disembodied voice declared: “This beautiful woman, foremost among all women, dark-complexioned, will bring about the destruction of the Kshatriya race. This slender-waisted one will accomplish a task for the gods at the proper time. Because of her, great fear will arise among the Kshatriyas.” Hearing this, the Panchalas roared with delight, their joy so great the earth could scarcely bear it. Thus, a pair of children was born to the great Drupada—a son and a daughter, both surpassingly handsome, the best among men. Endowed with supreme beauty and noble bearing, the children were beheld by Prishati, who then approached Yaja, longing to be known as their mother. “Let no other woman be known as their mother but me,” she pleaded. Yaja, wishing to please the king, replied, “So be it.” Filled with joy, the Brahmins gave the children their names, reflecting their valor and glory. “Let this son of Drupada be called Dhrishtadyumna,” they said, for his boldness and invincibility. The daughter was named Krishna, for her dark complexion. Thus, the divine pair was born at Drupada’s great sacrifice. Dhrishtadyumna soon mastered the Vedic studies. In time, the mighty Bharadvaja—Drona himself—brought Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchala prince, to his own abode and taught him the arts of weaponry. Knowing that destiny cannot be avoided, the wise Drona did so to preserve his own fame, even though this boy was fated to be his slayer. With supreme intelligence, Dhrishtadyumna quickly mastered all weapons. At this point, the sage among Brahmins is asked, “O revered one, tell me of Drupada’s own birth—how he came to be, and how he obtained weapons. I am eager to hear the story of these wondrous births, spoken of in many ways.” The tale is recounted: The king of the Panchalas, yearning for a son, retreated to the forest to perform severe austerities. With great devotion, he worshipped the great sages, steadfast in their vows. There, amidst herds of deer, Drupada endured hardship in the wilderness, subsisting for a time on air alone, forsaking all food. Long years passed in this manner, as the mighty Drupada undertook intense austerities. When the appointed time arrived, in the spring—the season that kindles desire—he entered a grove of blooming ashoka trees, delightful to all beings. There, on the riverbank of the sacred Ganga, Drupada continued his quest, setting the stage for the wondrous events that would follow.