Arjuna Enters the Arena and Displays His Martial Prowess

Drona entered the arena and, in a voice as deep as thunder, commanded the musical instruments to stop. “Now behold Partha,” he announced, “who is dearer to me than my own son. He is skilled in the use of all weapons. He is Indra’s son himself.” With this blessing from his preceptor, the youthful Phalguni appeared. He wore a finger protector and arm guard, his quiver was full, and he held a bow. His golden armour made him look like an evening cloud reflecting the rays of the setting sun, radiant as a rainbow with lightning flashes. A loud roar of joy erupted everywhere. Conch shells and instruments sounded. Voices rose from the crowd: “This is the middle Pandava, Kunti’s illustrious son.” “This is the great Indra’s son, the protector of the Kurus.” “This is the supreme one among those skilled in the use of weapons.” Hearing these incomparable words, Kunti’s tears mingled with milk from her breasts and made them damp. In the royal enclosure, Dhritarashtra’s ears were filled with the great roar. He happily asked Vidura, “O kshatta! What is this great uproar, like the sound of a stormy sea?” Vidura replied, “O great king! Pandu and Pritha’s son, Phalguni, clad in his armour, has entered. Hence, this uproar.” Dhritarashtra said, “O one with great intelligence! I am indeed fortunate that I am protected by the flames of these three Pandavas.” When the arena quieted, Bibhatsu began to exhibit the lightness in use of weapons he had learned. He created fire with an agneya weapon. He created water with a varuna weapon. He created winds with a vayavya weapon. He created rain with a parjanya weapon. He entered the ground with a bhoumya weapon. He created mountains with a parvata weapon. He made everything disappear with an antardhana weapon. In an instant, he appeared tall, then short. In an instant, he was yoked to his chariot. In another, he was in the middle of his chariot. And in another instant, he was on the ground again. Trained well, the preceptor’s favourite used various types of arrows to shoot various targets—some fragile, some fine, some thick. When an iron boar was moved, he shot five continuous arrows into its mouth as if they were one. A cow’s hollow horn was swayed on a rope and the immensely valorous hero shot twenty-one arrows into it. In this way, he exhibited his great dexterity with the sword, the bow, the club and other weapons.