After Drona was satisfied that the Kaurava and the Pandava
princes had become accomplished in the use of arms, he went to Dritharashtra and
told him that the princes had completed their education and that it was time
for them to show their proficiency. Bhishma, Vidura, Vyasa , Kripa and others were present at that time. Dritharashtra felt very happy on hearing this
and praised Drona for accomplishing a great deed by educating the princes. He
felt sorry that he could not witness the feats that would be performed by his
sons and others. He then asked Vidura to arrange for the function in
consultation with Drona.
Drona chose a piece of land devoid of trees for holding the
demonstration. He also chose an auspicious day and offered a sacrifice to God
in the presence of a vast crowd. After this, skilled artisans built a large
stage as per the specifications prescribed by the scriptures. They also built a
large hall for the lady spectators.
"When the day fixed for the Tournament came, the king
accompanied by his ministers, Bhishma and Kripa arrived at the arena. Gandhari,
Kunti, and the other royal ladies were also present. The public also attended
the function in large numbers. The presence of a vast gathering and the reverberating sounds of trumpets and drums
made the vast concourse appear like an
agitated ocean.
At the appointed time, Drona dressed in white arrived at the
place along with his son Aswathama. It
appeared as if the Moon himself accompanied by the planet Mars appeared on a
clear sky. Drona performed a formal worship of God. This was followed by the Brahmins reciting the Vedic hymns and
performing the rites. After this, several musical instruments were played. After these
formalities were over, the princes
headed by Yudhishtira entered in the order of age and began to show their spectacular skills in the use of their
weapons. Some of the spectators lowered their heads, apprehending fall of
arrows while others fearlessly gazed on with wonder.
After demonstrating their skills in the use of bows and arrows and in hitting
the targets by sitting on horsebacks and chariots, the mighty warriors began to show
their prowess in the use of swords and
bucklers.The spectators were amazed by their agility, the symmetry of their bodies,
their grace, their calmness, the firmness of their grasp and their deftness in
the use of the weapons.
Then Bhima and Duryodhana entered the arena, mace in
hand, like two mountains. These two
mighty warriors, summoning all their
energy, roared like two furious elephants. The spectators began to take sides, some supporting Bhima and
others supporting Duryodhana and shouted hailing their heroes.
Sensing the polarized atmosphere and the tension that was
building up, Drona asked Awathama to restrain both the warriors lest the
spectators should become emotionally surcharged. After Awathama restrained the two heroes, Drona himself
entered the arena. He asked the musicians to stop playing their instruments and
told the crowd “Behold Arjuna who is dearer to me than my own son. Arjuna, who
is the son of Indra and who is like a younger brother of Vishnu, is the master of all arms.“ Thus introduced, Arjuna entered the
arena with gloves in his hands, his
quiver full of arrows and his bow.
On seeing Arjuna, the crowd erupted with cries and
slogans hailing him. Conches were blown
even as the play of musical instruments was resumed. Slogans like 'This is the
graceful son of Kunti!' 'This is the son of the mighty Indra!' 'This is the
protector of the Kurus' 'This is the foremost of those versed in arms!''This
is the foremost of all cherishers of virtue!' 'This is the foremost of the
persons of correct behaviour, the great repository of the knowledge of
manners!' etc. On hearing these, tears of joy rolled down from Kunti's eyes. Dhritarashtra, hearing the
uproar, asked Vidura “What is the reason
for the great uproar resembling the sound of the
troubled ocean rising up to the heavens?”
Vidura replied “O mighty King, Arjuna has just entered the
arena. Hence the uproar.”
Dhritarashtra said, “I
feel blessed, favoured and protected!"
Arjuna displayed his prowess by creating water using the Varuna
weapon, creating air using the Vayavya weapon, creating clouds by using the Parjanya weapon, creating land using the Bhauma weapon and creating mountains using the
Parvatya weapon, He then made all these disappear by the use of the Antardhana
weapon. He was so agile that he appeared tall one moment and short the next
moment. He was on the yoke of his chariot and was instantly seen on the chariot
itself. And in no time he was on the ground. He displayed his skill with the
bow, the sword and the mace by
performing various feats.
After the
performances by the princes were completed and the musical instruments went into silence, the spectators heard, from the gate, the sound of the slapping
of arms, conveying might and strength. Karna entered the arena through the
gate, with the spectators making way for him.
His energy was like that of a lion, a bull or the head of a herd of
elephants. In splendour, he resembled the Sun, in loveliness, the Moon, and in
energy, the fire. He was tall in stature like a golden palm tree. He was
handsome and had the vigor of the youth.
With his eyes surveying the arena, he bowed indifferently to Drona and
Kripa. The entire crowd stood motionless
watching him with a steady gaze and wondering who he was
Karna spoke to Arjuna in
a challenging tone “O Arjuna, I shall perform feats excelling the ones you
have performed! Watching them, you will be amazed.”
Hearing this, the spectators stood up all at
once, as if pushed up from their seats by some device. Duryodhana was filled with delight, while Arjuna became irritated, insulted by Karna’s words.
With the permission of Drona, Karna performed all the feats performed by
Arjuna.
Duryodhana and his brothers embraced Karna in joy and said, “'Welcome
mighty warrior! I got you due to my good fortune. I and the kingdom of the
Kurus are at your command.
Kama replied,
" I only long for your friendship. My wish is to have at least one combat with
Arjuna."
Arjuna, enraged by Karna’s words told him “You will reach
the destination, the unwelcome intruder and the uninvited talker reach. You
will be slain by me.”
Karna replied, 'Arjuna,
this arena is meant for all, not for you alone. What is the need for verbal
exchanges which is an exercise of the weak? Speak through your arrows till I strike off your head today in front of the preceptor
himself!”
Arjuna, after seeking the permission of Drona, advanced for the
combat. Karna took up his bow and arrows and stood ready for the fight. The sky became enveloped in clouds emitting flashes of
lightning, and the coloured bow of Indra (the rainbow) appeared shedding its
effulgent rays. Seeing that Indra was viewing the arena out of affection for his
son Arjuna, the Sun dispersed the clouds from the part of the sky above his own offspring Karna. Arjuna stood under cover of the clouds, while Karna stood
being surrounded by the rays of the Sun.
Duryodhana stood by
Karna while Drona, Kripa and Bhishma stood
beside Arjuna. The spectators were divided in their support. Kunti, realizing
that her two sons are about to be engaged in a deadly combat, swooned. Vidura
brought her to consciousness by asking her female attendants to sprinkle sandal paste and water on her face. Kunti looked at her two sons with apprehension
but felt helpless.
Kripa, who knew the rules about duels, told Karna “This
Pandava who is the youngest son of Kunti, belongs to the Kaurava race. He will
engage in combat with you. But, you too must tell us your lineage, the names of
your father and mother and the royal line to which you belong. Sons of kings never fight with men of
inglorious lineage.”
Hearing Kripa’s words, Karna’s face became crestfallen.
Immediately, Duryodhana said, "O
preceptor, the scriptures say that three
classes of persons – persons of royal blood, heroes and those who lead armies -
can lay claim to royalty. However, If Arjuna
is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I will install Karna as the king
of Anga."
Immediately, Duryodhana installed Karna as the king of Anga by
seating him on a golden chair. Other formalities like the chanting of mantras by Brahmins were also complied with.
Overwhelmed by Duryodhana’s gesture, Karna said, “'O tiger
among monarchs, what shall I give you in return for this precious gift you have
given me? I will always act as per your bidding.”
Duryodhana told Karna, 'I eagerly wish for your friendship."
Karna replied,"So be it." And they embraced each other in joy.
After this, Adhiratha, the charioteer and the foster father
of Karna entered the arena, perspiring and trembling. Seeing him, Karna left his bow and bowed down his head
still wet with the water of inauguration. The charioteer embraced Karna. Witnessing this scene, Bhimas ridiculed Karna saying, “O
son of a charioteer, you do not deserve
death in fight at the hands of Arjuna. You should wield a whip befitting your race,
not a bow.”
Thus addressed, Karna looked at the God of the day in the
skies.
Duryodhana, enraged by Bhima's words said, “'O Bhima, it does not befit you to speak such words. Might is the cardinal
virtue of a Kshatriya, and even a Kshatriya of inferior birth deserves to be
fought with. People like Viswamitra born
in the Kashatriya racer have become Brahmins. Our preceptor Drona was born in a water pot. Your
own births are known to me. This prince among men deserves the sovereignty of
the world, not of just Anga"
There arose a confused murmur among the spectators
approving of Duryodhana's speech.
Presently, the sun went down.
Duryodhana took Karna's hand and led him out of the arena. The Pandavas
also, accompanied by Drona and Kripa and Bhishma, returned to their abodes. The spectators also went away some supporting
Arjuna, some Duryodhana and some Karna.
Kunti felt relieved that the combat was
averted. He was also pleased at Karna having been made the king of Anga.
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