Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.1042

c5.1042

f) *Droṇa caught by a crocodile.* Once Droṇa and his disciples went to bathe in the Ganges. While they were dipping and splashing in the water a crocodile caught Droṇa by the leg. Droṇa was unable to extricate himself from the grip of the crocodile. So he asked his disciples to shoot the crocodile and kill it. All stood agape. Arjuna at once took bow and arrows and sent five arrows one after another at the crocodile, which died instantly and came afloat. The teacher, who was much pleased, got out of the water and embraced Arjuna and taught him ‘Brahma Śirāstra’, a divine weapon. After imparting this knowledge Droṇa told Arjuna not to operate this weapon on man. But if an enemy superior to man attacked him, then only, he should send this missile at him to kill him.