Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/512

Drupada said,—One of low birth can never be the friend of one whose lineage is pure. Nor can one who is not a charioteer own a charioteer for his friend. So also one who is not a king cannot have a king for his friend. Why dost thou there fore desire (to revive our) former friendship?—'

"The Brahmana continued, 'Drona, gifted with great intelligence, was extremely mortified at this, and settling in his mind some means of humiliating the king of the Panchalas, the Brahmana went to the capital of the Kurus, called after the name of the elephant. Then Bhisma taking with him his grandsons presented them unto the wise son of Bharadwaja as his pupils for instruction, along with various kinds of wealth. Then Drona, desirous of humiliating king Drupada called together his disciples and addressing them said,—Ye sinless ones, it behoveth ye, after ye have been accomplished in arms, to give me as preceptorial fee something that I cherish in my heart!—Then Arjuna and the others said unto their preceptor,—So be it.—After a time when the Pandavas became accomplished in arms and sure of aim, Drona demanding of them his fee again told them these words:—Drupada the son of Prishata is the king of Chchatravati. Taking away from him his kingdom, give it unto me! Then the Pandavas, defeating Drupada in battle and taking him prisoner along with his ministers, offered him unto Drona. And Drona beholding the vanquished monarch said,—O king, I again solicit thy friendship! And because none who is not a king deserveth to be the friend of a king, therefore, O Jajua-sena, I have resolved to divide thy kingdom amongst ourselves. While thou art the king of the country to the south of the Bhagirathee (Ganges) I rule the country to the north.—'

"The Brahmana continued, 'The king of the Panchalas, thus addressed by the wise son of Bharadwaja, told that best of Brahmanas and foremost of all persons conversant with weapons, these words:—O thou high-souled son of Bharadwaja! Blest be thou, let it be so! Let there be eternal friendship between us as thou desirest!—Thus addressing each other and establishing a permanent bond between themselves, Drona and the king of the Panchalas both of them chastisers of