Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/511

performing his ablutions, the Rishi saw the Apsarā Ghritāchi, who had come before, standing on the shore after her ablutions, were over. And it so happened that a wind arose and disrobed the Apsarā standing there. And the Rishi beholding her thus disrobed felt the influence of desire. Practising the vow of chastity from his very youth, as soon as he felt the influence of desire, the Rishi's vital fluid came out. And as it came out, he held it in a pot (Drona). And from that fluid thus preserved in a pot was born a son who came to be called Drona (the pot-born). And Drona studied all the Vedas and their several branches. And Bharadwaja had a friend named Prishata who was the king of the Panchalas. And about the time that Drona was born, Prishata also obtained a son named Drupada. And that bull amongst Kshatriyas—Prishata's son—going every day to that asylum of Bharadwaja played and studied with Drona. And after Prishata's death, Drupada succeeded him on the throne. Drona about this time heard that (the great Brahmana hero) Rama (on the eve of his retiring into the woods) was resolved to give away all his wealth. Hearing this, the son of Bharadwaja repaired nnto Rama who was about to retire into the woods, and addressing him said,—O thou best of Brahmanas, know me to be Drona who hath came to thee for obtaining thy wealth!—Rama replied, saying,—I have given away everything. All that I now have is this body of mine (and my weapons)! O Brahmana, thou mayst ask of me one of these two, either my body or my weapons!—Then Drona, said,—It behoveth thee, sir, to give me all thy weapons together with (the mysteries of) their use and withdrawal.—'

"The Brahmana continued, 'Then Rama the scion of Bhrigu's race, saying,—So be it,—gave all his weapons unto Drona. And Drona obtaining them regarded himself as crowned with success. And Drona, obtaining from Rama that most exalted of all weapons called Brahma-weapon, became exceedingly glad and acquired a decided superiority over all men. Then the son of Bharadwaja, endued with great prowess, went to king Drupada, and approaching the monarch, that tiger among men said,—Know me for thy friend.—Hearing this,