At the culmination of King Drupada’s great sacrifice, a wondrous event unfolded. Suddenly, a mysterious, disembodied voice resounded in the air, declaring, “This beautiful woman, foremost among all women and dark of complexion, will bring about the destruction of the Kshatriya race.” The voice continued, “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.” Upon hearing these portentous words, the assembled Panchalas erupted in jubilation, roaring like a pride of lions; their joy was so immense that even the earth seemed unable to bear it. Thus, to the mighty King Drupada were born two children—a son and a daughter—each radiant and handsome, excelling all others in beauty and nobility. When Prishati, Drupada’s queen, beheld these children, her heart was filled with longing. She approached the sage Yaja and pleaded, “Let no other woman be known as their mother but me.” Wishing to please the king, Yaja consented, saying, “So be it.” With hearts brimming with delight, the Brahmins bestowed fitting names upon the children, inspired by their valor, invincibility, and noble birth. The son was named Dhrishtadyumna for his boldness and prowess, while the daughter, dark in complexion, was called Krishna. Thus, Dhrishtadyumna and Krishna were born from Drupada’s sacrifice. Dhrishtadyumna soon mastered the Vedas, excelling in sacred knowledge. The sage Bharadvaja took Dhrishtadyumna, the prince of Panchala, into his own hermitage and instructed him in the art of weapons. Even the wise Drona, aware that destiny cannot be altered, taught Dhrishtadyumna all forms of warfare, motivated by a desire to preserve his own reputation. Gifted with supreme intelligence, Dhrishtadyumna quickly became adept in every weapon. O learned sage, you wish to know of Drupada’s own birth and how he came to possess such weapons. The story is wondrous and spoken of in many ways. The king of the Panchalas, longing for a son, journeyed to the forest and performed severe austerities. With great effort, he worshipped the steadfast sages, enduring the hardships of forest life, surrounded by herds of deer. Many years passed as Drupada continued his penances, at times subsisting on air alone, forsaking food. At last, when the appointed time arrived—during the spring, the season of desire—Drupada, steadfast in his vows, found himself in a grove of blossoming ashoka trees by the sacred Ganga. It was there, in that enchanting forest, that the renowned Apsara Menaka appeared, adorned with flowers and beauty. Yet she did not see the king, and at the sight of her, the king’s seed fell to the ground. Out of shame, Drupada stepped on that vital seed with his foot, and from that very spot, Drupada was born. Through the power of the king’s austerity, a son was quickly brought forth from the place where his foot had pressed. The assembled sages, rich in ascetic merit and wisdom, named the child Drupada. The boy grew up in the hermitage of Bharadvaja, cherished and beautiful, fulfilling every desire. In time, Drupada’s father entrusted him to the great-souled Bharadvaja for instruction. There, together with Drona in the forest, Drupada mastered the Vedas and the science of archery. Filled with joy, he lived happily among the forest-dwellers. After many years, Drupada’s father departed this world, and Drupada was consecrated king among the Panchalas. As ruler, he increased the happiness of his people and governed righteously, as Indra does in heaven. Thus have I recounted to you, O king, the wondrous births of Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna, as they truly happened. Meanwhile, when Dhritarashtra learned that Yudhishthira, delight of the Kauravas, was fully capable of ruling and protecting the kingdom, he consulted his ministers about installing him as crown prince. But the sons of Dhritarashtra, upon hearing this, were deeply troubled. Nevertheless, at the year’s end, Yudhishthira, son of Pandu, was established as crown prince by Dhritarashtra’s decree. Soon, through his noble character, conduct, and composure, Yudhishthira revived his father’s fame. In the arts of sword-fighting, mace-wielding, and chariot warfare, Bhima, son of Pandu, received constant instruction from Sankarshana. Having completed his training, Bhima became equal in strength to Dyumatsena, renowned for his prowess, and always acted in accord with his brothers’ wishes. Firm of grip, swift, and skillful, Bhima became an expert in the use of razors, arrows, and broad-headed shafts, mastering their every secret.