01.123
Pancharatra:Story of Ekalavya and how Arjuna became the greatest archer.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
अर्जुनस्तु परं यत्नमातस्थे गुरुपूजने । अस्त्रे च परमं योगं प्रियो द्रोणस्य चाभवत् ॥१-१२३-१॥
But Arjuna undertook supreme effort in serving his teacher and in the discipline of weapons, and became beloved to Droṇa.
द्रोणेन तु तदाहूय रहस्युक्तोऽन्नसाधकः । अन्धकारेऽर्जुनायान्नं न देयं ते कथञ्चन ॥१-१२३-२॥
But Droṇa secretly called the food preparer and said: food should not be given to Arjuna in darkness under any circumstance.
ततः कदाचिद्भुञ्जाने प्रववौ वायुरर्जुने । तेन तत्र प्रदीपः स दीप्यमानो निवापितः ॥१-१२३-३॥
Then once, while Arjuna was eating, a wind blew and extinguished the burning lamp there.
भुङ्क्त एवार्जुनो भक्तं न चास्यास्याद्व्यमुह्यत । हस्तस्तेजस्विनो नित्यमन्नग्रहणकारणात् ॥ तदभ्यासकृतं मत्वा रात्रावभ्यस्त पाण्डवः ॥१-१२३-४॥
Arjuna continued eating the food, and his hand was not confused from his mouth, due to his constant habit of taking food. Considering that as the result of practice, the son of Pāṇḍu practiced even at night.
तस्य ज्यातलनिर्घोषं द्रोणः शुश्राव भारत । उपेत्य चैनमुत्थाय परिष्वज्येदमब्रवीत् ॥१-१२३-५॥
Droṇa, O Bhārata, heard the twang of his bowstring. Approaching him and rising, he embraced him and said this.
प्रयतिष्ये तथा कर्तुं यथा नान्यो धनुर्धरः । त्वत्समो भविता लोके सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥१-१२३-६॥
I shall strive so that no other archer shall be your equal in the world. This I truly say to you.
ततो द्रोणोऽर्जुनं भूयो रथेषु च गजेषु च । अश्वेषु भूमावपि च रणशिक्षामशिक्षयत् ॥१-१२३-७॥
Then Droṇa further trained Arjuna in battle on chariots, elephants, horses, and even on foot.
गदायुद्धेऽसिचर्यायां तोमरप्रासशक्तिषु । द्रोणः सङ्कीर्णयुद्धेषु शिक्षयामास पाण्डवम् ॥१-१२३-८॥
Droṇa instructed the son of Pāṇḍu in mace combat, swordsmanship, spears, javelins, darts, and mixed battles.
तस्य तत्कौशलं दृष्ट्वा धनुर्वेदजिघृक्षवः । राजानो राजपुत्राश्च समाजग्मुः सहस्रशः ॥१-१२३-९॥
Seeing his skill, kings and princes desirous of learning archery came together in thousands.
ततो निषादराजस्य हिरण्यधनुषः सुतः । एकलव्यो महाराज द्रोणमभ्याजगाम ह ॥१-१२३-१०॥
Then Ekalavya, the son of Hiraṇyadhanus, king of the Niṣādas, approached Droṇa, O great king.
न स तं प्रतिजग्राह नैषादिरिति चिन्तयन् । शिष्यं धनुषि धर्मज्ञस्तेषामेवान्ववेक्षया ॥१-१२३-११॥
He did not accept him, thinking “he is a Niṣāda,” for being righteous in archery, he showed regard only to them.
स तु द्रोणस्य शिरसा पादौ गृह्य परन्तपः । अरण्यमनुसम्प्राप्तः कृत्वा द्रोणं महीमयम् ॥१-१२३-१२॥
He, the scorcher of foes, having bowed to Droṇa’s feet with his head, went to the forest, making a figure of Droṇa on the earth.
तस्मिन्नाचार्यवृत्तिं च परमामास्थितस्तदा । इष्वस्त्रे योगमातस्थे परं नियममास्थितः ॥१-१२३-१३॥
Then he assumed the role of a teacher in that form and undertook intense discipline in archery, following supreme austerity.
परया श्रद्धया युक्तो योगेन परमेण च । विमोक्षादानसन्धाने लघुत्वं परमाप सः ॥१-१२३-१४॥
Endowed with supreme faith and discipline, he attained the highest swiftness in aiming and releasing in archery.
अथ द्रोणाभ्यनुज्ञाताः कदाचित्कुरुपाण्डवाः । रथैर्विनिर्ययुः सर्वे मृगयामरिमर्दनाः ॥१-१२३-१५॥
Then once, the Kuru and Pāṇḍava princes, permitted by Droṇa, all went out in chariots for hunting, being destroyers of enemies.
तत्रोपकरणं गृह्य नरः कश्चिद्यदृच्छया । राजन्ननुजगामैकः श्वानमादाय पाण्डवान् ॥१-१२३-१६॥
There, a man by chance took equipment and followed the Pāṇḍavas, taking a dog along, O king.
तेषां विचरतां तत्र तत्तत्कर्म चिकीर्षताम् । श्वा चरन्स वने मूढो नैषादिं प्रति जग्मिवान् ॥१-१२३-१७॥
As they wandered there desiring various acts, the dog, while roaming in the forest, unwittingly went toward the Niṣāda.
स कृष्णं मलदिग्धाङ्गं कृष्णाजिनधरं वने । नैषादिं श्वा समालक्ष्य भषंस्तस्थौ तदन्तिके ॥१-१२३-१८॥
The dog, seeing the dark-skinned Niṣāda in the forest, his body smeared with dirt and wearing black antelope skin, barked and stood near him.
तदा तस्याथ भषतः शुनः सप्त शरान्मुखे । लाघवं दर्शयन्नस्त्रे मुमोच युगपद्यथा ॥१-१२३-१९॥
Then, as the dog barked, he released seven arrows into its mouth all at once, showing his swiftness in archery.
स तु श्वा शरपूर्णास्यः पाण्डवानाजगाम ह । तं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवा वीरा विस्मयं परमं ययुः ॥१-१२३-२०॥
Then that dog, with its mouth full of arrows, came to the Pāṇḍavas. Seeing it, the heroic Pāṇḍavas were greatly astonished.
लाघवं शब्दवेधित्वं दृष्ट्वा तत्परमं तदा । प्रेक्ष्य तं व्रीडिताश्चासन्प्रशशंसुश्च सर्वशः ॥१-१२३-२१॥
Seeing that supreme swiftness and accuracy in hitting sound, they became ashamed and praised him in every way.
तं ततोऽन्वेषमाणास्ते वने वननिवासिनम् । ददृशुः पाण्डवा राजन्नस्यन्तमनिशं शरान् ॥१-१२३-२२॥
Then the Pāṇḍavas, searching in the forest, saw the forest-dweller constantly shooting arrows, O king.
न चैनमभ्यजानंस्ते तदा विकृतदर्शनम् । अथैनं परिपप्रच्छुः को भवान्कस्य वेत्युत ॥१-१२३-२३॥
They did not recognize him then due to his altered appearance. Then they questioned him: “Who are you, and whose are you?”
एकलव्य उवाच॥
Ekalavya said:
निषादाधिपतेर्वीरा हिरण्यधनुषः सुतम् । द्रोणशिष्यं च मां वित्त धनुर्वेदकृतश्रमम् ॥१-१२३-२४॥
O heroes, know me as the son of Hiraṇyadhanus, the Niṣāda king, and a disciple of Droṇa, one who has labored in the science of archery.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
ते तमाज्ञाय तत्त्वेन पुनरागम्य पाण्डवाः । यथावृत्तं च ते सर्वं द्रोणायाचख्युरद्भुतम् ॥१-१२३-२५॥
Having truly known him, the Pāṇḍavas returned and reported to Droṇa all that had occurred, the wonderful event.
कौन्तेयस्त्वर्जुनो राजन्नेकलव्यमनुस्मरन् । रहो द्रोणं समागम्य प्रणयादिदमब्रवीत् ॥१-१२३-२६॥
Arjuna, O king, remembering Ekalavya, approached Droṇa in private and said this with affection.
नन्वहं परिरभ्यैकः प्रीतिपूर्वमिदं वचः । भवतोक्तो न मे शिष्यस्त्वद्विशिष्टो भविष्यति ॥१-१२३-२७॥
Did you not, having embraced me alone with affection, say this: “No disciple of mine shall become superior to you”?
अथ कस्मान्मद्विशिष्टो लोकादपि च वीर्यवान् । अस्त्यन्यो भवतः शिष्यो निषादाधिपतेः सुतः ॥१-१२३-२८॥
Then why is there another disciple of yours in the world, the son of the Niṣāda king, powerful and superior to me?
मुहूर्तमिव तं द्रोणश्चिन्तयित्वा विनिश्चयम् । सव्यसाचिनमादाय नैषादिं प्रति जग्मिवान् ॥१-१२३-२९॥
Droṇa, having thought for a moment and resolved, took Savyasācin (Arjuna) along and went toward the Niṣāda.
ददर्श मलदिग्धाङ्गं जटिलं चीरवाससम् । एकलव्यं धनुष्पाणिमस्यन्तमनिशं शरान् ॥१-१२३-३०॥
He saw Ekalavya, with matted hair and bark-clothes, body smeared with dirt, holding a bow and constantly shooting arrows.
एकलव्यस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा द्रोणमायान्तमन्तिकात् । अभिगम्योपसङ्गृह्य जगाम शिरसा महीम् ॥१-१२३-३१॥
Ekalavya, seeing Droṇa approaching, came near, saluted him, and bowed his head to the ground.
पूजयित्वा ततो द्रोणं विधिवत्स निषादजः । निवेद्य शिष्यमात्मानं तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरग्रतः ॥१-१२३-३२॥
Then the Niṣāda-born, having duly worshipped Droṇa and declared himself a disciple, stood before him with folded hands.
ततो द्रोणोऽब्रवीद्राजन्नेकलव्यमिदं वचः । यदि शिष्योऽसि मे तूर्णं वेतनं सम्प्रदीयताम् ॥१-१२३-३३॥
Then Droṇa said to Ekalavya, “O king, if you are my disciple, then quickly pay the fee.”
एकलव्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीयमाणोऽब्रवीदिदम् । किं प्रयच्छामि भगवन्नाज्ञापयतु मां गुरुः ॥१-१२३-३४॥
Ekalavya, delighted on hearing that, said: “O venerable one, what shall I give? Let my teacher command me.”
न हि किञ्चिददेयं मे गुरवे ब्रह्मवित्तम । तमब्रवीत्त्वयाङ्गुष्ठो दक्षिणो दीयतां मम ॥१-१२३-३५॥
“There is nothing I will not give to my teacher, O knower of Brahman.” Droṇa said to him, “Then give me your right thumb.”
एकलव्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वचो द्रोणस्य दारुणम् । प्रतिज्ञामात्मनो रक्षन्सत्ये च निरतः सदा ॥१-१२३-३६॥
Hearing those harsh words of Droṇa, Ekalavya, always devoted to truth, upheld his vow and protected it.
तथैव हृष्टवदनस्तथैवादीनमानसः । छित्त्वाविचार्य तं प्रादाद्द्रोणायाङ्गुष्ठमात्मनः ॥१-१२३-३७॥
With a cheerful face and undisturbed mind, he cut off his thumb without hesitation and gave it to Droṇa.
ततः परं तु नैषादिरङ्गुलीभिर्व्यकर्षत । न तथा स तु शीघ्रोऽभूद्यथा पूर्वं नराधिप ॥१-१२३-३८॥
Thereafter, the Niṣāda drew the bow with his fingers, but he was not as swift as before, O king.
ततोऽर्जुनः प्रीतमना बभूव विगतज्वरः । द्रोणश्च सत्यवागासीन्नान्योऽभ्यभवदर्जुनम् ॥१-१२३-३९॥
Then Arjuna became pleased and free of anxiety, and Droṇa remained true to his word — no one surpassed Arjuna.
द्रोणस्य तु तदा शिष्यौ गदायोग्यां विशेषतः । दुर्योधनश्च भीमश्च कुरूणामभ्यगच्छताम् ॥१-१२३-४०॥
Then among the Kurus, Duryodhana and Bhīma became Droṇa’s disciples, especially suited for mace-fighting.
अश्वत्थामा रहस्येषु सर्वेष्वभ्यधिकोऽभवत् । तथाति पुरुषानन्यान्त्सारुकौ यमजावुभौ ॥ युधिष्ठिरो रथश्रेष्ठः सर्वत्र तु धनञ्जयः ॥१-१२३-४१॥
Aśvatthāman became superior to all in secret matters. The twin sons of Yama were equal to other great heroes. Yudhiṣṭhira was foremost among chariot-warriors, but Dhanañjaya excelled in all respects.
प्रथितः सागरान्तायां रथयूथपयूथपः । बुद्धियोगबलोत्साहैः सर्वास्त्रेषु च पाण्डवः ॥१-१२३-४२॥
The Pāṇḍava became renowned to the ends of the ocean as the chief among chariot-warriors, due to his intelligence, focus, strength, and zeal in all weapons.
अस्त्रे गुर्वनुरागे च विशिष्टोऽभवदर्जुनः । तुल्येष्वस्त्रोपदेशेषु सौष्ठवेन च वीर्यवान् ॥ एकः सर्वकुमाराणां बभूवातिरथोऽर्जुनः ॥१-१२३-४३॥
Arjuna became distinguished in weapons and the affection of his teacher. Equal in instruction, he surpassed in skill and valor, and alone among all princes, Arjuna became a supreme chariot-warrior.
प्राणाधिकं भीमसेनं कृतविद्यं धनञ्जयम् । धार्तराष्ट्रा दुरात्मानो नामृष्यन्त नराधिप ॥१-१२३-४४॥
The sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, evil-hearted, could not bear Bhīmasena, dearer than life, or Dhanañjaya, accomplished in all knowledge, O king.
तांस्तु सर्वान्समानीय सर्वविद्यासु निष्ठितान् । द्रोणः प्रहरणज्ञाने जिज्ञासुः पुरुषर्षभ ॥१-१२३-४५॥
Droṇa, O best of men, desiring to know their skill in weaponry, assembled all who were established in every science.
कृत्रिमं भासमारोप्य वृक्षाग्रे शिल्पिभिः कृतम् । अविज्ञातं कुमाराणां लक्ष्यभूतमुपादिशत् ॥१-१२३-४६॥
He placed an artificial bird made by craftsmen atop a tree, unknown to the princes, and set it as their target.
द्रोण उवाच॥
Droṇa said:
शीघ्रं भवन्तः सर्वे वै धनूंष्यादाय सत्वराः । भासमेतं समुद्दिश्य तिष्ठन्तां संहितेषवः ॥१-१२३-४७॥
Quickly, all of you, take up your bows and stand with arrows fitted, aiming at this bird.
मद्वाक्यसमकालं च शिरोऽस्य विनिपात्यताम् । एकैकशो नियोक्ष्यामि तथा कुरुत पुत्रकाः ॥१-१२३-४८॥
At the moment of my word, let its head be struck down. I shall assign you one by one. Do thus, O sons.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
ततो युधिष्ठिरं पूर्वमुवाचाङ्गिरसां वरः । सन्धत्स्व बाणं दुर्धर्ष मद्वाक्यान्ते विमुञ्च च ॥१-१२३-४९॥
Then the best of the Aṅgiras lineage said to Yudhiṣṭhira first, “O unassailable one, string the arrow and release it at the end of my word.”
ततो युधिष्ठिरः पूर्वं धनुर्गृह्य महारवम् । तस्थौ भासं समुद्दिश्य गुरुवाक्यप्रचोदितः ॥१-१२३-५०॥
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, having taken the great-sounding bow, stood aiming at the bird, prompted by the teacher’s instruction.
ततो विततधन्वानं द्रोणस्तं कुरुनन्दनम् । स मुहूर्तादुवाचेदं वचनं भरतर्षभ ॥१-१२३-५१॥
Then Droṇa, seeing Kuru’s joy with bow drawn, after a moment said this to him, O bull of the Bharatas.
पश्यस्येनं द्रुमाग्रस्थं भासं नरवरात्मज । पश्यामीत्येवमाचार्यं प्रत्युवाच युधिष्ठिरः ॥१-१२३-५२॥
“Do you see the bird perched atop the tree, O prince?” — Yudhiṣṭhira replied to the teacher, “Yes, I see it.”
स मुहूर्तादिव पुनर्द्रोणस्तं प्रत्यभाषत । अथ वृक्षमिमं मां वा भ्रातृन्वापि प्रपश्यसि ॥१-१२३-५३॥
After a moment, Droṇa again spoke to him: “Then, do you see this tree, me, or your brothers?”
तमुवाच स कौन्तेयः पश्याम्येनं वनस्पतिम् । भवन्तं च तथा भ्रातृन्भासं चेति पुनः पुनः ॥१-१२३-५४॥
The son of Kuntī said, “I see the tree, you, my brothers, and the bird — all of them, again and again.”
तमुवाचापसर्पेति द्रोणोऽप्रीतमना इव । नैतच्छक्यं त्वया वेद्धुं लक्ष्यमित्येव कुत्सयन् ॥१-१२३-५५॥
Droṇa, as if displeased, said to him, “Step aside; you cannot hit this target,” thus reproaching him.
ततो दुर्योधनादींस्तान्धार्तराष्ट्रान्महायशाः । तेनैव क्रमयोगेन जिज्ञासुः पर्यपृच्छत ॥१-१२३-५६॥
Then the illustrious teacher questioned Duryodhana and the other sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra in the same order, desiring to test them.
अन्यांश्च शिष्यान्भीमादीन्राज्ञश्चैवान्यदेशजान् । तथा च सर्वे सर्वं तत्पश्याम इति कुत्सिताः ॥१-१२३-५७॥
Other disciples, Bhīma and others, and princes from other lands all replied similarly, “We see everything,” and were reproved.
ततो धनञ्जयं द्रोणः स्मयमानोऽभ्यभाषत । त्वयेदानीं प्रहर्तव्यमेतल्लक्ष्यं निशम्यताम् ॥१-१२३-५८॥
Then Droṇa, smiling, addressed Dhanañjaya, “Now you must strike this target. Listen carefully.”
मद्वाक्यसमकालं ते मोक्तव्योऽत्र भवेच्छरः । वितत्य कार्मुकं पुत्र तिष्ठ तावन्मुहूर्तकम् ॥१-१२३-५९॥
The arrow should be released by you at the very moment of my word. Draw your bow and stand ready for a moment, O son.
एवमुक्तः सव्यसाची मण्डलीकृतकार्मुकः । तस्थौ लक्ष्यं समुद्दिश्य गुरुवाक्यप्रचोदितः ॥१-१२३-६०॥
Thus addressed, Savyasācin, with bow drawn in a circle, stood aiming at the target, prompted by the teacher’s command.
मुहूर्तादिव तं द्रोणस्तथैव समभाषत । पश्यस्येनं स्थितं भासं द्रुमं मामपि वेत्युत ॥१-१२३-६१॥
After a moment, Droṇa addressed him again in the same way: “Do you see the bird there, the tree, or me?”
पश्याम्येनं भासमिति द्रोणं पार्थोऽभ्यभाषत । न तु वृक्षं भवन्तं वा पश्यामीति च भारत ॥१-१२३-६२॥
“I see only the bird,” said Arjuna to Droṇa. “I do not see the tree or you,” O Bhārata.
ततः प्रीतमना द्रोणो मुहूर्तादिव तं पुनः । प्रत्यभाषत दुर्धर्षः पाण्डवानां रथर्षभम् ॥१-१२३-६३॥
Then Droṇa, pleased in mind, after a moment, again addressed the formidable Arjuna, the bull among chariot-warriors of the Pāṇḍavas.
भासं पश्यसि यद्येनं तथा ब्रूहि पुनर्वचः । शिरः पश्यामि भासस्य न गात्रमिति सोऽब्रवीत् ॥१-१२३-६४॥
“If you see the bird, say so again,” said Droṇa. Arjuna replied, “I see only the head of the bird, not its body.”
अर्जुनेनैवमुक्तस्तु द्रोणो हृष्टतनूरुहः । मुञ्चस्वेत्यब्रवीत्पार्थं स मुमोचाविचारयन् ॥१-१२३-६५॥
Thus addressed by Arjuna, Droṇa, thrilled with joy, said, “Release!” Arjuna released the arrow without hesitation.
ततस्तस्य नगस्थस्य क्षुरेण निशितेन ह । शिर उत्कृत्य तरसा पातयामास पाण्डवः ॥१-१२३-६६॥
Then the Pāṇḍava swiftly cut off the head of the bird perched on the tree with a sharp razor-arrow and brought it down.
तस्मिन्कर्मणि संसिद्धे पर्यश्वजत फल्गुनम् । मेने च द्रुपदं सङ्ख्ये सानुबन्धं पराजितम् ॥१-१२३-६७॥
When that feat was accomplished, Droṇa embraced Phālguna and considered Drupada, along with his allies, defeated in battle.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य सशिष्योऽङ्गिरसां वरः । जगाम गङ्गामभितो मज्जितुं भरतर्षभ ॥१-१२३-६८॥
After some time, the best of the Aṅgiras line, along with his disciples, went to the Gaṅgā to bathe, O bull of the Bharatas.
अवगाढमथो द्रोणं सलिले सलिलेचरः । ग्राहो जग्राह बलवाञ्जङ्घान्ते कालचोदितः ॥१-१२३-६९॥
Then, as Droṇa was immersed in water, a strong crocodile, impelled by fate, seized him at the shin.
स समर्थोऽपि मोक्षाय शिष्यान्सर्वानचोदयत् । ग्राहं हत्वा मोक्षयध्वं मामिति त्वरयन्निव ॥१-१२३-७०॥
Though capable of freeing himself, he urged all his disciples, “Kill the crocodile and release me,” as if in urgency.
तद्वाक्यसमकालं तु बीभत्सुर्निशितैः शरैः । आवापैः पञ्चभिर्ग्राहं मग्नमम्भस्यताडयत् ॥ इतरे तु विसंमूढास्तत्र तत्र प्रपेदिरे ॥१-१२३-७१॥
At that very moment, Bībhatsu struck the immersed crocodile in the water with five sharp, fully drawn arrows; the others, bewildered, scattered here and there.
तं च दृष्ट्वा क्रियोपेतं द्रोणोऽमन्यत पाण्डवम् । विशिष्टं सर्वशिष्येभ्यः प्रीतिमांश्चाभवत्तदा ॥१-१२३-७२॥
Seeing him act with skill, Droṇa considered the Pāṇḍava superior to all his other disciples and was pleased at that time.
स पार्थ-बाणैः बहुधा खण्डशः परिकल्पितः । ग्राहः पञ्चत्वमापेदे जङ्घां त्यक्त्वा महात्मनः ॥१-१२३-७३॥
The crocodile, cut into pieces by Arjuna’s arrows, gave up the shin of the great soul and met death.
अथाब्रवीन्महात्मानं भारद्वाजो महारथम् । गृहाणेदं महाबाहो विशिष्टमतिदुर्धरम् ॥ अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो नाम सप्रयोगनिवर्तनम् ॥१-१२३-७४॥
Then Droṇa, son of Bhāradvāja, said to the great-souled warrior, “Take this supreme weapon called Brahmaśiras, exceedingly difficult to control, complete with usage and retraction.”
न च ते मानुषेष्वेतत्प्रयोक्तव्यं कथञ्चन । जगद्विनिर्दहेदेतदल्पतेजसि पातितम् ॥१-१२३-७५॥
This weapon should never be used among men. If discharged against one of little energy, it could burn down the world.
असामान्यमिदं तात लोकेष्वस्त्रं निगद्यते । तद्धारयेथाः प्रयतः शृणु चेदं वचो मम ॥१-१२३-७६॥
This, dear one, is said to be an extraordinary weapon among all. You should bear it with restraint. Listen now to my word.
बाधेतामानुषः शत्रुर्यदा त्वां वीर कश्चन । तद्वधाय प्रयुञ्जीथास्तदास्त्रमिदमाहवे ॥१-१२३-७७॥
If ever a superhuman enemy afflicts you, O hero, use this weapon to destroy him in battle.
तथेति तत्प्रतिश्रुत्य बीभत्सुः स कृताञ्जलिः । जग्राह परमास्त्रं तदाह चैनं पुनर्गुरुः ॥ भविता त्वत्समो नान्यः पुमाँल्लोके धनुर्धरः ॥१-१२३-७८॥
“So be it,” said Bībhatsu with folded hands, having promised thus. He received that supreme weapon. The teacher said to him again, “There shall be no other archer in the world equal to you.”
