Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.1044

c5.1044

g) *Demonstration by the pupils.* When the training of the princes terminated, Dhṛtarāṣṭra accorded sanction to hold a demonstration of weapon-play, by the princes. An arena was got ready. Droṇa entered the arena. As a preliminary rite Droṇa worshipped the gods. Then he invited Brāhmaṇas to bless his pupils. After that the pupils gave the teacher, gold, precious stones, cloths, and other costly things. The princes paid homage to their teacher. The teacher gave his blessings to them. With this the demonstration commenced. Clubbing between Duryodhana and Bhīma was a terrible one. But the mock fighting changed to a serious fight. Droṇa sent Aśvatthāmā who separated them. The audience applauded their performance. The performance of Arjuna was of the most superior type and the audience and the teacher were struck with wonder at his extraordinary capability. Karṇa also showed his performance. (For details see under Arjuna, Para 1 and Karṇa, Para 4). (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapters 133 and 134).