Guru Dron announced the names of the princes as they came into the Rangabhoomi (lit. the playground; ranga=play, bhoomi=ground). He said, "This is the eldest prince of the Kuru dynasty, Prince Yudhishthir. These two are Prince Bheem and Duryodhan...Prince Arjun...Prince Dushhasan...And the last, is my son, Ashwatthama. Now all of them will, display their skills at warfare." The princes came one by one to display their skills. All the people present were stunned at the mace-fight of Bheem and Duryodhan. But, the game soon turned into a war, and Guru Dron had to intervene to stop them, "Shame on you both ! Both of you may do whatever you wish to, after this game is over. Now, it's my reputation, that is on stake. I'll break both of your heads if you dare to even try to spoil it ! And now get into the gallery, and do not show me your faces before this competition is over. Understood ! Wait, Bheem, you go to the right corner and Duryodhan, you to the left, and don't even look at each other, let alone coming close. GO !" Ashwatthama surpassed everyone who had performed till then and moved back to let Arjun, the master of archery showcase his skills. Arjun amazed everyone with his talent. One moment he used an arrow of fire to set the ground ablaze and in the next moment he used the arrow of water to extinguish the fire. Everyone was sure of the face that Arjun was indeed the greatest archer that had ever lived.
Just then, a tall man entered the ground. He spoke, "King Dhritarashtra, I am Karna, I mean, Vasusen, the son of Adhirath, your chief charioteer. May I please break the misconception of the people gathered here, that Arjun is the greatest archer alive ?" The blind King replied, "Yes, you may." Karna performed all the wonders that Arjun had, as the people watched in rapt admiration. Duryodhan came forward and embraced his old friend, "What do you want Karna ?" He replied, "I want your friendship and your father's permission to fight a duel with Arjun." Kripachaarya came forward and said that a prince fought only with a King or another Prince. Duryodhan at that moment gave away the part of the kingdom, Anga, of which he was recently made the governor. Just then the sun went down. Duryodhan took away Karna, while Arjun stood fuming.
Meanwhile, The Upanayan ceremony of the two brothers was performed by the royal chaplain, Sage Garg, and the two princes were then admitted to the Gurukul of Sage Sandipani. "Sudama," called the Sage, "Please take these two princes to your hut, and also show them around. Krishna and Balraam are their names." They smiled at each other while Sudama took them into a new season of friendship that was to last for long.
Slowly, as the days passed by, all the students of the Ashram used to adore the young princes, while Krishna always got the chance to taste everything special that Gurumaata cooked for their teacher in return for a new tune everyday. The brothers could, very easily concentrate and memorize whatever was taught to them. Krishna always made a great show of asking Sudama to explain the lessons to him, though it always ended up the other way. And sometimes Krishna would purposefully give an incorrect answer, so as to glorify Sudama's knowledge. Sometimes at night, Krishna would sit to meditate and would be awakened only when Sudama and Balraam shook him at the morning.
Very soon, the brothers mastered the four Vedas,the Upanishads and all kinds of martial arts. They were now prepared to face any challenge hurled at them by life. They asked the Rishi what he wanted as Gurudakshina. The Sage said, "Sons, I have given you all of the knowledge that I had. From the few months during which I tutored you, I have come to know very well that you both are no ordinary human beings. So, I know that, only you both can fulfill my real wish." he wasn't a Sage now, but a simple poor man, dragged through many rough waves of life, "My children, my son, had been swallowed by the merciless sea many years ago. My wife says she sees an image of her long-lost son in you. She wants to keep you with her forever. But I know, that is not possible. So, I beg of you, please, give us our son back." Krishna spoke, "Sir, we will feel obliged to fulfill your wish. You please send a word back home, and tell Gurumaata that I'll bring her son back in just a few days. Come Dau. Pranaam Sir."
The brothers left towards Prabhaas, the spot where Sage Sandipani's son had drowned. Krishna summoned Samudra-dev, the God of the sea, who guided them to the underwater cave of the demon Panchajan (Shankhasur) who swallowed people in the form of a huge shankh i.e. a conch. Hearing thus Krishna immediately dived into the water and killed Shankhasur. The son of the sage was nowhere to be found, only a beautiful conch lay there. Krishna took it and rose above the water. As he had acquired it from the demon Panchajan, the conch came to be known as Paanchjanya. Then Krishna took Balraam to Sanyamani; he played his conch and called for Yam-dav. Yam rushed out to welcome the two. Hearing the purpose of their visit, the God of Death willfully gave back the son of Sage Sandipani, with whom Krishna and Balraam returned to the Ashram of Sage Sandipani.
Back at the Ashram they were surprised to see Akroor who had come to fetch them. The brothers gleefully dragged Akroor around the Ashram to show him all the places they'd been to. They introduced him to all of their friends but immediately pushed him away to show him the kitchen before he could even say a simple 'hello' to anyone of them. "WAIT ! Wait a minute ! Huh. You seem to forget I'm an old man after all ! Yes, I am, with you both acting in such a grown-up way !" "Sorry, Uncle ! Actually It's been long since we've seen anyone of you !" "Good, Well, Krishna And Balraam. I have a real good news for you." "Later, later ! Now, here's Sudama, my best friend !" Sudama was, however, not interested in getting introduced anyone at that moment. He dragged Krishna to a corner and said, "Keshav, you're leaving ?" Sensing that Sudama was not at all happy to lose his friend, Krishna spoke gently, "Yes, Sudama, I have to. I have so much of work at home. I told you the first day, that Grandpa isn't so healthy as he thinks and Father likes scriptures more than the kingdom, right ? I have to go and relieve them of the administration. But I promise, I'll never forget you. No matter what happens, you'll remain my best friend through everything. Really !" "Huh ! Now I know why Father told me to avoid Princes at Gurukul. All of you Kshatriyas are the same ! You promise someone something and then you forget. Go then, go and fulfill your duties ! I don't care !" "Sudama ! Don't be childish ! You know me, don't you ? Fine, mother promise, I won't forget you ! And you know how much I love mothers. And listen, I'll be there for you, whenever and wherever you need me." Krishna pulled Sudama into a firm embrace, "I Promise Sudama, trust me !"
When the chariot started to move, Akroor wiped the invisible sweat on his forehead as he spoke, "Finally, we are off ! Good gracious boys ! What a herd of friends you've got !" Balraam said, "Uncle Akroor, long ago, this morning, you wanted to give us some good news ?" "Good news ? What good news ? Oh yes ! You've got a new baby sister !" "Really ? YIPPEE !!!" Krishna jumped up within the chariot and swirled around in joy, "I always wanted a sister !! I'm so lucky to have got one, finally !" "She is named Subhadra. She's a cute little thing ! You'll definitely love her, provided you can get over her screams ! Maybe that's because she's already missing her two brothers !" Balraam smiled at the euphoria of his brother, "Subhadra's a good name. But Uncle, Mother is fine I hope !" "Yes ! She is fit as a fiddle." "YIPPEE !" "Kanha ! Mind your decibel !"
Edited by Radhikerani - 11 years ago
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I adore krishna and sudama's friendship di..😛 I love der friendhship alot... 😛awesome update di... subhadra aagayi!!!😃👏 Wowww superb..😳 I am excited just like kanha...😆 I am waiting fr subhadra nd kanha meet!!! 😛Update soon di.. 😊😛
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