Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.1041

c5.1041

e) *Artificial bird.* Once Droṇa placed an artificial bird on the branch of a tree without the knowledge of the princes, to test their practice in archery. Then he placed his disciples with their bows, around the tree, and told them to shoot the bird at his command. Droṇa first called Dharmaputra and told him to look at the bird. Then he asked him what he saw. Dharmaputra said that he saw the bird, the tree, the teacher and the students. He tested one by one. All gave the same reply, that Dharmaputra gave. At last he asked Arjuna. Arjuna stood for a while, taking aim and said that he saw a bird only. The teacher commanded to shoot and Arjuna sent an arrow. At the first shot the bird fell down headless. With this test Droṇa understood that Arjuna could defeat Drupada and embraced his disciple.