01.124
Core:Arrangements for display of military skills by Kurus.
Vaiśampāyana said:
O Bhārata, seeing both the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and the sons of Pāṇḍu trained in weapons, Droṇa said to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of men.
In the presence of the wise Kṛpa, Somadatta, Bāhlīka, Gāṅgeya, Vyāsa, and Vidura.
O King, your sons who have gained knowledge, O best of the Kurus, should demonstrate their training with your consent.
Then the great king, delighted within, said, “O Bhāradvāja, a great deed has been done by you, O best of Brāhmaṇas.”
Whenever and wherever you consider fit, please command me yourself for making the necessary arrangements.
I desire today, with detachment, that people with eyes will witness my sons performing valor for the sake of weapons.
O minister, do whatever the teacher says, for I do not think there will be anything more pleasing than this, O lover of dharma.
Then, after taking leave of the king and accompanied by Vidura, the wise Bhāradvāja measured out land—level, treeless, shrubless, and sloping toward water.
On that land, he performed a sacrificial offering on an auspicious day under a favorable star, and it was proclaimed throughout the city for that purpose, O best of speakers.
In the arena, the artisans constructed a very spacious and properly designed viewing gallery according to scriptural directions, equipped with all weapons for the king and also arranged for women, O best of men.
The people of the region constructed elevated platforms and palanquins for the wealthy.
Then, on that day, the king arrived with his ministers, placing Bhīṣma and Kṛpa, the best of teachers, at the front.
He entered the divine viewing pavilion, made of refined gold, adorned with cat’s-eye gems, and enclosed by a net of pearls.
Gāndhārī the blessed, Kuntī, and all the king’s women with attendants and ornaments joyfully ascended the platforms like celestial women ascending Mount Meru.
The four castes—Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and others—swiftly came from the city, desiring to witness the martial skill of the princes.
With musical instruments playing and people full of curiosity, the assembly became like an agitated ocean.
Then appeared one clad in white garments, with white sacred thread, white hair, white beard, and adorned with white garlands and ointments.
Then the teacher, with his son, entered the center of the arena, like the radiant Mars shining in a sky devoid of clouds.
He, the best among the mighty, performed the offering at the right time and had the mantra-knowing Brāhmaṇas chant auspicious hymns.
Then, after the declaration of the sacred day, men entered with various weapons and equipment.
Then the mighty Bharatas, equipped with armor, belts, quivers, and bows, entered the arena.
The powerful princes, led by Yudhiṣṭhira and following the eldest, performed marvelous feats of weaponry.
Some men bent their heads in fear of flying arrows, while others watched boldly with amazement.
They struck targets with named arrows, skillfully released while swiftly riding horses.
Seeing the princely strength, armed with bows and arrows, like a city of Gandharvas, they were amazed.
Suddenly, hundreds of thousands of men with eyes wide in amazement shouted, "Well done! Well done!"
The mighty warriors repeatedly displayed bowmanship during chariot movements, and on elephant and horse backs, as well as in close combat.
Then, holding swords and shields, they again moved through all the designated fighting patterns across the grounds.
They observed agility, elegance, beauty, steadiness, and firm grip in everyone's sword and shield performance.
Then the ever-delighted Suyodhana and Vṛkodara descended, mace in hand, like two immovable mountain peaks.
With belts secured and mighty arms, the two stood firm in manly pride, massive like excited elephants stirred by trumpet calls.
Those two mighty warriors circled left and right with shining maces, like excited bulls.
Vidura, the ally of the Pāṇḍavas, reported to Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Gāndhārī all the activities of the princes.
