Mahabharata – 220
by
Sankar Mukherjee
&
Dr. Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya

Aadivamsa Avatarana Parva
Arjuna receives the weapon Brahmasira

Some time after,Drona, accompanied by all of his pupils,went to the bank of the Ganga to bathe in that sacred stream.And when Drona immersed himself into the stream, a well built alligator, sent as it were, by Death himself seized him by the thigh.And though himself quite capable, Drona in a hurry asked his pupils to rescue him. And he cried ------ Oh! Kill this alligator and rescue me.

 While the other pupils stood confused, each at his place, instantly Arjuna struck the alligator in the water itself, with five sharp arrows irresistible in their course. Seeing Arjuna's readiness, Drona considered him to be the foremost of all his pupils,and became highly pleased.The alligator, in the meantime cut into pieces by the arrows of Arjuna,released the thigh of illustrious Drona and  expired. Then Drona said to Arjuna -- Accept,  this very superior and irresistible weapon called Brahmasira with the methods of hurling and recalling it.You must not, however,ever use it against any human foe,for if hurled at any foe endowed with inferior energy,it might burn the whole universe. It is said,that this weapon in the three worlds has no match. Keep it, therefore, with great care, and listen to what I say.If ever, any foe, not human, attacks you, you may employ it against him for ensuring his death in battle.Listening to what is said to him with all attention,Arjuna with joined hands,received that great weapon.

The preceptor then, addressing him again, said  -- None else in this world will ever become a superior bowman like you. You will be the conquerer of the world and famous in the world as  a warrior.

Seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu accomplished in arms, Drona, said to the king Dhritarashtra,in the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, Valhika,Bhishma, Vyasa,and Vidura,  --- Oh Monarch! Your children have completed their education.With your permission, Oh king! let them now show their proficiency.Hearing him, the king said with  glad heart ---------- Oh best of Brahmana!Son of Bharadwaja you have,indeed, accomplished a great deed. Command me as to the place and the time, where and when and in what manner a trial of these princes in the art of war may be held. Being blind I am unfortunate. I envy those who, blessed with sight, will see my children's prowess in arms. Oh Vidura! Do all that Drona says. I think there is nothing that can be more agreeable to me.