01.125
Core:Display of various military skills.
Vaiśampāyana said:
When the Kuru king and Bhīma, best of the strong, stood in the arena, the people, out of biased affection, seemed split in two.
Cries of "O hero, Kuru king!" and "O Bhīma!" arose suddenly and greatly from the shouting men.
Then, seeing the arena like a turbulent ocean, the wise Bhāradvāja said to his beloved son Aśvatthāman.
Restrain these two powerful and well-trained warriors; let there be no turmoil in the arena arising from Bhīma and Duryodhana.
Then the two, with raised maces, were restrained by the teacher’s son, like two mighty oceans stirred by the winds of destruction.
Then Droṇa entered the arena and spoke, having silenced the musical instruments that roared like great clouds.
He who is dearer to me than my own son, best among all masters of weapons, wielder of the Indra weapon, equal to Indra’s brother—let that Pārtha be seen.
At the teacher’s command, the youth, having performed auspicious rites, entered, wearing finger guards and carrying a full quiver and bow.
Wearing golden armor, Pārtha appeared like a rain-cloud lit by sun and lightning, bow in hand like Indra’s, glowing like twilight.
Then a great stir arose in the entire arena, and instruments along with conches were sounded all around.
This is the glorious son of Kuntī, the middle Pāṇḍava. This is the son of Indra, the protector of the Kurus.
This one is the best among those skilled in weapons, the foremost of the righteous, and the supreme treasure of virtue and wisdom.
Thus, hearing those incomparable words spoken by the spectators, Kuntī’s chest was wet with tears mixed with milk.
Then Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the best of men, with gladdened heart, said to Vidura, hearing that great sound clearly.
O minister, what is this tremendous sound like a stormy ocean that suddenly arose in the arena, as if splitting the sky?
Vidura said:
This is Arjuna, O great king, the son of Pṛthā and Pāṇḍu, who has entered with armor; this great sound is his arrival.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
I am blessed, favored, and protected, O wise one, by the three Pāṇḍava fires born of the churning of Pṛthā.
Vaiśampāyana said:
When the arena had somewhat settled from the commotion, Arjuna displayed the dexterity in weapons learned from his teacher.
With the fire weapon he created fire, with the Varuṇa weapon water, with the wind weapon air, and with the Parjanya weapon clouds.
With the earth weapon he entered the ground; with the mountain weapon, he created mountains; and with the disappearance weapon, he vanished again.
In a moment he became tall, then short, then mounted the yoke of the chariot, then stood at its center, and in a moment fell to the ground.
He who was delicate, subtle, and heavy, and dear to his teacher, endowed with elegance, pierced with various arrows.
He released five arrows, not entangled, simultaneously in front of a spinning metal boar, as if it were a single arrow.
In a swinging horn-container suspended by a rope, the mighty hero pierced twenty-one arrows.
Thus in sword, bow, and mace, the weapon-skilled one performed great displays.
Then, as that event mostly ended, and the gathering and sound of instruments had become subdued, O Bhārata.
From the gate arose a sound like the clash of thunder, indicating might and greatness—the noise of someone's arms was heard.
Are the mountains being torn? Is the earth splitting? Or is the sky being filled with water-laden clouds?
O king, such thoughts arose about the arena, and all spectators at once turned toward the gate.
Surrounded by the five sons of Pṛthā, Droṇa shone like the moon encircled by five stars and Sāvitrī.
Joined by Aśvatthāman and a hundred powerful brothers, Duryodhana the destroyer of enemies rose and was surrounded.
He stood surrounded by his armed brothers, mace in hand, shining like Indra surrounded by gods at the destruction of the Dānavas.
