Night time. Arjun is trying to replicate the Brahmin's feat by shooting arrows into the well but was hopelessly failing.
In his own words...
Arjuna Speaks...
My mind was racing. How on earth did that Brahmin manage to stick one arrow on the back of another? I tried shooting one more arrow but it fell into the well like so many other arrows which I had shot earlier. I was so absorbed in my work that I did not realize I was being watched.
Frustated,I muttered rather loudly "What magic did that Brahmin do?"
"The Brahmin only used his power of concentration" replied someone beside me.
Stunned, I turned my head and saw the same Brahmin standing by my side. Calmly he took the bow from me- which was rather small for his size, and began shooting arrows one after another into the well in rapid succession till he had formed one long line of arrows.
"But how...how?" I stuttered in amazement.
"Do you want to learn?" he asked. I nodded, very excited.
But he became silent. Then he said "I thought the Kuru princes were scrupulous in their behaviour"
I didn't understand at first then I kicked myself. Of course grandfather had appointed this Brahmin as our teacher earlier that afternoon. And I hadn't even greeted him properly.
Feeling ashamed, I knelt down. Touching his feet with my hands, I said "I, Arjuna, the son of Maharaja Pandu request you to accept me as your disciple and teach me the secrets of archery"
Lifting me up gurudev looked straight into my eyes "The science of archery needs great concentration and discipline. Can you do it?"
I nodded.
"Will you obey me in thought, word and deed ?"
"Your wish will be my command, Gurudeva" I answered
Placing his hand on my head, gurudev said "I, Drona, son of Rishi Bharadwaj and disciple of Parashrama accept you as my shishya. Whatever knowledge I have I will teach you"
I cannot describe the intense feeling I had at that time. Without my knowing a new chapter in my life had started.
I bowed my head and folded my hands in front of my new guru.
Edited by varaali - 10 years ago