Said Vidura: “The valiant son of Pritha hath come forth in golden armour, and the people hail him with joy.”
The blind monarch said: “I am well pleased. The sons of Pritha sanctify the kingdom like to sacrificial fires.”
Silence fell upon the people, and Drona bade his favourite pupil to display his skill. Arjuna performed wonders with magic arms; he created fire by the _Agneya_ weapon, water by the _Varuna_ weapon, wind by the _Vayavya_ weapon, clouds by the _Paryanya_ weapon, land by the _Bhanma_ weapon, and he caused mountains to appear by the _Parvatya_ weapon. Then by the _Antardhyana_ weapon he caused all these to vanish.[231]
[231] This is a notable example of the characteristic exaggerations of late Brahmanical compilers. Other exaggerations are of milder form.
Arjuna then set up for his target an iron image of a great boar, and at one bending of the bow he shot five arrows into its gaping jaws. Wondrous was his skill. Next he suspended a cow horn, which swayed constantly in the wind, and discharged into its hollow with unerring aim twenty rapid arrows. Heaven and earth resounded with the plaudits of the people when he leapt into his chariot and discharged clouds of arrows as he was driven speedily round the grounds. Having thus displayed his accomplishments as an archer, he drew his sword, which he wielded so rapidly round and about that the people thought they beheld lightning and heard thunder. Ere he left the field he cast the noose with exceeding great skill, capturing horses and cows and scampering deer at a single throw. Then Drona embraced him, and the people shouted his praises.
Great was the joy of the Pandavas as they rested around Drona like to the stars that gather about the white moon in heaven. The Kauravas were grouped around Aswatthama as the gods gather beside Indra when the giant Daityas threaten to assail high heaven. Duryodhana's heart burned with jealous anger because of the triumph achieved by Arjuna.
Evening came on, and it seemed that the tournament was ended; the crowds began to melt away. Then, of a sudden, a mighty tumult of plaudits broke forth, and the loud din of weapons and clank of armour was heard all over the place. Every eye immediately turned towards the gate, and the warriors and the people beheld approaching an unknown warrior, who shook his weapons so that they rattled loudly.