पूजयित्वा ततो द्रोणं विधिवत्स निषादजः। निवेद्य शिष्यमात्मानं तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरग्रतः
Then, honoring Droṇa according to custom, the Niṣāda youth declared himself his student and stood before him with joined palms.
ततो द्रोणोऽब्रवीद्राजन्नेकलव्यमिदं वचः। यदि शिष्योऽसि मे वीर वेतनं दीयतां मम
Then Droṇa said to Ekalavya, 'If you are truly my student, O hero, give me my teacher's fee.'
एकलव्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीयमाणोऽब्रवीदिदम्। किं प्रयच्छामि भगवन्नाज्ञापयतु मां गुरुः
Hearing this, Ekalavya replied joyfully, 'What shall I give, revered one? Let my teacher command me.'
तमब्रवीत्त्वयाङ्गुष्ठो दक्षिणो दीयतामिति
He said to him, 'Let your right thumb be given to me.'
एकलव्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वचो द्रोणस्य दारुणम्। प्रतिज्ञामात्मनो रक्षन्सत्ये च नियतः सदा
Hearing Droṇa's harsh words, Ekalavya, ever steadfast in truth and his vow, resolved to keep his promise.
तथैव हृष्टवदनस्तथैवादीनमानसः। छित्त्वाऽविचार्य तं प्रादाद्द्रोणायाङ्गुष्ठमात्मनः
With a cheerful face and undisturbed mind, without hesitation, he cut off his thumb and gave it to Droṇa.
ततः शरं तु नैषादिरङ्गुलीभिर्व्यकर्षत। न तथा च स शीघ्रोऽभूद्यथा पूर्वं नराधिप
After that, the Niṣāda youth drew his bowstring with his fingers, but, O king, he was not as swift as before.
ततोऽर्जुनः प्रीतमना बभूव विगतज्वरः। द्रोणश्च सत्यवागासीन्नान्योऽभिभविताऽर्जुनं
Then Arjuna became content and free of anxiety, and Droṇa, true to his word, ensured that no one would surpass Arjuna.
द्रोणस्य तु तदा शिष्यौ गदायोग्यौ बभूवतुः। दुर्योधनश्च भीमश्च सदा संरब्धणानसौ
At that time, Drona had two pupils skilled in mace-fighting: Duryodhana and Bhima, both always fierce and wrathful.
अश्वत्थामा रहस्येषु सर्वेष्वभ्यधिकोऽभवत्। तथाऽतिपुरुषानन्यान्त्सारुकौ यमजावुभौ
Among all, Ashvatthama excelled in secret techniques; likewise, the twin sons of Madri, both mighty, surpassed others.
युधिष्ठिरो रथश्रेष्ठः सर्वत्र तु धनञ्जयः। प्रथितः सागरान्तायां रथयूथपयूथपः
Yudhishthira was foremost among charioteers, but everywhere Dhananjaya was renowned as the chief of chariot-warriors, famed to the ends of the sea.
बुद्धियोगबलोत्साहः सर्वास्त्रेषु च निष्ठितः। अस्त्रे गुर्वनुरागे च विशिष्टोऽभवदर्जुनः
Arjuna was distinguished in all weapons by intellect, discipline, strength, and enthusiasm, and surpassed all in his devotion to his teacher.
तुल्येष्वस्त्रोपदेशेषु सौष्ठवेन च वीर्यवान्। एकः सर्वकुमाराणां बभूवातिरथोऽर्जुनः
Though all the princes received equal instruction in weapons, Arjuna alone among them became a supreme chariot-warrior by his skill.
प्राणाधिकं भीमसेनं कृतविद्यं धनञ्जयम्। धार्तराष्ट्रा दुरात्मानो नामृष्यन्त परस्परम्
The sons of Dhritarashtra, wicked in mind, could not tolerate Bhimasena, who was dearer than life, nor Dhananjaya, accomplished in knowledge, nor each other.
तांस्तु सर्वान्समानीय सर्वविद्यास्त्रशिक्षितान्। द्रोणः प्रहरणज्ञाने जिज्ञासुः पुरुषर्षभः
Then Drona, the best of men, gathering all the princes trained in every science and weapon, wished to test their knowledge of arms.
कृत्रिमं भासमारोप्य वृक्षाग्रे शिल्पिभिः कृतम्। अविज्ञातं कुमाराणां लक्ष्यभूतमुपादिशत्
He had the craftsmen place an artificial bird atop a tree, unknown to the princes, and designated it as the target.
शीघ्रं भन्तः सर्वेऽपि धनूंष्यादाय सर्वशः। भासमेतं समुद्दिश्य तिष्ठध्वं सन्धितेषतः
All of you, quickly take up your bows, aim at this bird, and stand ready with arrows set, awaiting my command.
मद्वाक्यसमकालं तु शिरोऽस्य विनिपात्यताम्। एकैकशो नियोक्ष्यामि तथा कुरुत पुत्रकाः
At my word, let each of you, one by one, shoot and bring down its head; do so, my sons, as I instruct.
ततो युधिष्ठिरं पूर्वमुवाचाङ्गिरसां वरः। संधत्स्व बामं दुर्धर्ष मद्वाक्यान्ते विमुञ्चतम्
Then the best of the Angirasas first addressed Yudhishthira: 'String your bow, steadfast one, and release your arrow at my command.'
ततो युधिष्ठिरः पूर्वं धनुर्गृह्य परन्तपः। तस्थौ भासं समुद्दिश्य गुरुवाक्यप्रचोदितः
So Yudhishthira, destroyer of foes, first took up his bow, stood aiming at the bird, prompted by his teacher's words.
ततो विततधन्वानं द्रोणस्तं कुरुनन्दनम्। स मुहूर्तादुवाचेदं वचनं भरतर्षभ
Then Drona spoke to that scion of the Kurus, who stood with bow drawn: 'O bull of the Bharatas, do you see the bird atop the tree?'
पश्यसि त्वं द्रुमाग्रस्थं भासं नरवरात्मज। पश्यामीत्येवमाचार्यं प्रत्युवाच युधिष्ठिरः
Yudhishthira replied to his teacher, 'I see it,' thus answering, 'I see the bird on the tree, O teacher.'
स मुहूर्तादिव पुनर्द्रोणस्तं प्रत्यभाषत। अथ वृक्षमिमं मां वा भ्रातॄन्वाऽपि प्रपश्यसि
After a moment, Drona again questioned him: 'Do you see this tree, or me, or your brothers as well?'
तमुवाच स कौन्तेयः पश्याम्येनं नवस्पतिम्। भन्तं च तथा भ्रातॄन्भासं चेति पुनःपुनः
The son of Kunti replied, 'I see this tree, you, my brothers, and the bird as well,' repeating it again and again.
तमुवाचापसर्पेति द्रोणोऽप्रीतमना इव। नैतच्छक्यं त्वया वेद्धुं लक्ष्यमित्येव कुत्सयन्
Drona, displeased, told him to step aside, saying, 'You cannot hit the target,' thus reproaching him.
ततो दुर्योधनादींस्तान्धार्तराष्ट्रान्महायशाः। तेनैव क्रमयोगेन जिज्ञासुः पर्यपृच्छत
Then the illustrious Drona, wishing to test them in the same order, questioned Duryodhana and the other sons of Dhritarashtra.
अन्यांश्च शिष्यान्भीमादीन्राज्ञश्चैवान्यदेशजान्। यदा च सर्वे तत्सर्वं पश्याम इति कुत्सिताः
And other disciples such as Bhima, and kings from other regions as well—when we all see this, we consider it disgraceful.
ततो धनञ्जयं द्रोणः स्मयमानोऽभ्यभाषत। त्वयेदानीं प्रहर्तव्यमेतल्लक्ष्यं विलोक्यताम्
Then Drona, smiling, addressed Dhananjaya: 'Now you must strike this target; look upon it.'
मद्वाक्यसमकालं ते मोक्तव्योऽत्र भवेच्छरः। वितत्य कार्मुकं पुत्र तिष्ठ तावन्मुहूर्तकम्
'At the very moment I give the word, you must release the arrow here. Draw your bow, my son, and stand ready for a moment.'
एवमुक्तः सव्यसाची मण्डलीकृतकार्मुकः। तस्थौ भासं समुद्दिश्य गुरुवाक्यप्रचोदितः
Thus addressed, Savyasachi, with his bow drawn in a circle, stood aiming at the bird, prompted by his teacher's command.