Mahabharata Childhood

1. Dhritraashtra is Disturbed - Both Bheeshm and Dhritraashtra are sad and disturbed in their own ways, Dhritraashtra is sad because he foresees his crown losing now to Paandav; and Bheeshm is sad because he knows that Dhritraashtra will not be able to do justice with Paandav.

2. Education (1) - Vidur take Paandav to Kripaa for their education. But Dhritraashtra doesn't want all be educated alike. So he calls Kripaa back from Gurukul at time to time.

3. Education (2) - Vidur prepares Yudhishthir for being the king, on the other side Shakuni prepares Duryodhan for kingship by cheating. So Duryodhan plans to kill Bheem.

4. Poison Incident - Duryodhan and Bheem are never even but Bheem is fond of food so Duryodhan gives him poison with the intention to kill him, but luckily he arrives in Naag Lok and comes back with lots of more strength.

5. Ball Incident - Drone meets Kaurav and Pandav playing ball. Their ball fell in a well. He takes it out, all princes are astonished to see it. Bheeshm and Shakuni come to meet him on their report of this incident.

6. Drone - Drone is appointed as Kaurav and Paandav's Guru. Shakuni doesn't like Drone's presence. So he calls Ashwatthaamaa. Ashwatthaamaa consults Kripaa as how to go there, as his son or as his disciple?

7. Drone Receives Ashawatthaamaa - drone is extra pleased with Arjun. He receives Ashwatthaamaa in his Gurukul. Kripaa tries to know the reason of Drone's insult from Kripee.

8. Drone and Karn - Karn expresses wish to learn weaponry and Adhirath takes him to Drone, but Drone refuses to teach him on the basis of caste and status. Karn tells about Ashwatthaamaa's caste and status which shuts the mouth of Drone.

9. Arjun Learns from Bheem - Arjun learns from Bheem seeing him eating in dark, once Drone tests Arjun's ability by creating a crocodile machine.

10. Bheeshm and Vidur Are Worried - Both are worried taking up the problem of Dhritraashtra and Shakuni. But there is no other alternative than to wait till all princes grow up.

11. Eklavya Incident - Drone meets a Bheel boy Eklavya who was good at archery. Scared of him, he asks his right hand thumb in Guru Dakshinaa. All disciples were stunned seeing this.

12. Karn Finishes His Education - Karn got trained from Parashuraam Jee. Parashuraam was very much pleased with Karn. He did not take Guru Dakshinaa from him, but gave him Shaap.

13. Why Drone Loved Arjun Most - Ashwatthaamaa's jealousy with Arjun and Drone's proof as why he loved Arjun so much. Bird incident.

14. Finale of Kaurav and Paandav's Education - Finale of Kaurav and Paandav's education. Demonstration of their skills in public. Declaration of Arjun as the best archer and Karn's challenge to him. Duryodhan appoints Karn as the king of Ang Desh.

15. Drone's Guru Dakshinaa - Drone asks Drupad in Guru Dakshinaa from Kaurav and Paandav. Duryodhan fails to pay it, but Arjun brings Drupad arrested. Drone takes the revenge of his insult from Drupad. Drone gives reason to Ashwatthaamaa to take Eklavya's thumb.

16. Dhritraashtra is Very Sad - Dhritraashtra is very sad as his Duryodhan was not declared the best after the education. This was hindering him to get the crown back to him. He consulted Drone, Kripaa, Bheeshm and Vidur, but to no avail

Dhritraashtra is disturbed and sad again, because he can visualize his crown being snatched away once more. He could never forget that he was the eldest son of Kuru family, but now Yudhishthir was the eldest son of Kuru family. Gaandhaaree was trying to explain Duryodhan that Yudhishthir was his elder brother, but Duryodhan was very stubborn, so she requested Dhritraashtra to explain this to him. Dhritraashtra said - "When I have not been able to console myself that there was no injustice done to me by crowning Paandu as Raajaa of Hastinaapur, then how can I console him? Duryodhan was always told that he would be the king after me. Even Kripaa had educated him with the same idea, then how can I say to him now that Yudhishthir is your elder brother, and you will have to prove yourself by your actions that the first right on Hastinaapur is yours." Gaandhaaree said - "He is better than Paandu's sons in education and he will be better in future also." Dhritraashtra said scared "But if he could not do better then?" Gaandhaaree said - "Then it will prove that he is not worth for the throne of Hastinaapur. This all is matter of fate. This is fate line, it cannot be erased." Dhritraashtra asked - "Then our Karm are nothing?" Gaandhaaree said - "Why not. Fate line is not the string which can tie a man, fate is the story of a man's life, therefore it is not good for a man to blame his fate for his own actions. Do not think that you are the father of Duryodhan, rather think yourself as the king of Hastinaapur and to do justice is your duty." Gaandhaaree was embarrassed at Duryodhan's behavior. She told Kuntee that she had doubts about her brother Shakuni. She was scared of him lest Duryodhan is misguided by him. She requested Kuntee also to pray that Shakuni could not misguide Duryodhan. Bheem is angry at Duryodhan's behavior. Yudhishthir consoled him - "To which you are saying his ill treatment, the same is his nature. Forgive him. Forgiveness takes you near Bhagvaan, and forgiveness is such a weapon which has no counter." Shakuni came to Dhritraashtra and said that he could not tolerate the injustice done to his son Duryodhan. Dhritraashtra said - "Then should I send Kuntee to Van along with her children?" Shakuni said - "No, You will have to take care of these orphan children of your brother, but there was no need to give Paandu's palace to them. By giving that palace you have sowed the seeds of being king in them. Bheeshm is protecting Hastinaapur, but you will have to protect your son. He is also a child." Bheeshm is also sad. Vidur asked the reason, Bheeshm said - "Our values of life are breaking up. When the gardener does not like his own garden's all flowers, and if he wants to give all sunshine to only one flower instead of all, then think about the future of that garden. Besides that flower will also die soon because of excess of sunshine. I am very much dissatisfied with the present and worried about the future." Vidur said - "Time is one like a flowing river. For our convenience we have distributed it in present, past and future." Bheeshm said - "When this present will be past then we all will be on pages of history, but today we are live and doing our roles, but we should know first our roles as what role we are doing." Vidur said - "The whole truth of life is that we don't know our roles fully. If we could know them fully then Karm have mean no meaning. A human being is the only living being in the world who has full right to do or not to do anything." Bheeshm said - "Send Paandu's sons to Gurukul on an auspicious day." Bheeshm was indeed worried. He went to his mother Gangaa. Gangaa asked - "Putra, Why are you so sad?" Bheeshm said - "Maa, There is no limit of my sorrows. I am lamenting for the values of life, for that line which our ancestors drew between truth and untruth." Gangaa said - "Putra, You know that ladder is only one. The same is used to climb up and the same is used to climb down. But a ladder, no matter how high it is, has to end somewhere; and then one has to climb down from there; and when people climb down, all those things are certainly crushed under their feet on whom they put their feet to climb up. At that time they grab whatever comes in their hands for their help. This is the age of Bhaarat's downfall. Don't be disappointed, human being knows to build ladders. To get Amrit (nectar or Ambrosia) one has to churn the sea, and then has to drink poison also coming out of that sea, and somebody has to drink that poison. so you have taken birth here only to drink that poison. This is you Karm." Now both Kaurav and Paandav used to play in royal gardens. Bheem was the strongest among all. He defeated all Kaurav princes in any game. Kaurav did not like this at all. He enjoyed teasing and humiliating Kaurav also. But the heart of Duryodhan was full of hatred and anger. Till now he was the sole master of the entire palace now, or say of Hastinaapur throne. He could not tolerate their coming to his palace. On the other side Dhritraashtra and Shakuni were fanning his ideas.

So on one auspicious day Vidur took Paandav to Gurukul and handed them over to Guru Kripaachaarya for their education. Kaurav were learning from him - "Raaj Dharm (Dharm of a Raajaa) and Raaj Neeti (politics) are two different things. Whoever Raajaa accepts politics leaving Raaj Dharm, it is natural to go astray from his path, because politics is not so necessary as Raaj Dharm. But what is Raaj Dharm? What is its definition? Wherever Dharm is present, there is no place for Moh, because Moh is blind and Dharm is only light. Who follows the path lighted by Dharm does not need any help. Therefore when Raajaa follows Dharm, he doesn't need help of anything. Moh is the first enemy of a Raajaa. It can misguide him, that he is not the owner of the treasury, but only the representative. "My son" "My father" etc are such a prison that, there is no means to come out from there once you are in there. All have the right on Raajaa like all have the right on Bhagvaan, or Raajaa belongs to all as Bhagvaan belongs to all. Since Raajaa is the representative of all the public, whoever Raajaa will be, he will be in Moh prison, he can never belong to all. Reeti (traditions), Neeti (good policies), knowledge and humility are the four doors of a good wisdom. One must follow them." To give education is the job of Guru, but to give favorable environment is the job of household elders. In olden times, Guru was considered highest after Bhagvaan. He used to educate his pupils alike, but sometimes there used to come such pupils that they proved extraordinary and used to attract Guru considerably. Dhritraashtra did not want that Paandav should get the same quality education as his own sons were getting. So he called Kripaa back before Paandav's education began, and instructed him - "Kul Guru, Paandav should not get any less education than others." Kripaa said - "You don't worry at all, Raajan. A pupil is like a piece of land. If it is fertile, then the seed will surely sprout there; and if it is not then what is the fault of seed in it? Paandu's sons are very able." Dhritraashtra asked curiously - "And Duryodhan?" Kul Guru said - "There is no shortage of ability in the prince, but along with that one has to hold one's heart back also, otherwise it runs here and there and goes astray. But you don't worry." New Saarathee for Dhritraashtra There was another work for Kripaa. Dhritraashtra's Saarathee (charioteer) Adhirath came to take leave from him. He told that now his son was grown up for education so he wanted to give him good education and wanted to retire from his services. In fact one day a Muni came to Adhirath's house to take alms and asked for a handful grains. Raadheya gave him a large pot full of grains. Muni said - "I asked only for a handful grains and you gave me a full pot." Raadheya said - "Mahaaraaj, My handful is like that only." Muni got very pleased with his reply, he said - "Ask son, ask any Var." Raadheya said - "Mahaaraaj, I don't like to ask anything." Then he blessed him with that he will be counted as the best soldier in the world." Bheeshm said - "Do you know Adhirath, that what type of life a blind Raajaa can lead without a good Saarathee?" Adhirath said - "I know that, that is why I have brought Sanjay with me. You will not find Sanjay less than me in any way." Vidur asked Sanjay - "What is Saarathee's first duty?" Sanjay said - "That he takes oath to live an die for his master." "And what is second duty?" Sanjay said - "His second duty is that he should say only that which is good for his master without getting scared and caring of his anger." "And..." Sanjay again said - "To protect his master from sunshine and dust like a mother's lap." "And..." Sanjay said - "And to give respect to his master's respect more than his life." So Sanjay was accepted by all present there - Bheeshm, Dhritraashtra, Drone, Kripaa and Vidur and he was appointed as the new Saarathee of Dhritraashtra.

One day Vidur saw Yudhishthir in the palace, so he said to him - "Yuvaraaj (Crown Prince), You here?" Yusdhishthir said - "Uncle, at least you don't call me Yuvaraaj (Crown Prince)." Vidur said - "A person should never forget his place. Every person has his path like planets. Among those planets if any planet leaves its path, or leaves its place then Pralay will come. Kripaachaarya cannot teach you accepting greetings, only a maid's son can do this. The knowledge of politics has put me in trouble, that this time you should have been in Gurukul , what are you doing here in palace."

Yudhishthir said - "Great Father had called Kul Guru in your presence only. Then he went to his sister's house from there. So I thought that we should stay here in palace until he comes back. Because you already know this that Duryodhan and Bheem are not even. I always tell him that Duryodhan is our younger brother, you should not mind his childish behavior, but you know Bheem also..." Vidur said - "Then it means that you have run away from Gurukul. When you cannot live in Gurukul, then how will you spend your life in future. Raajaa's Dharm is very strict and difficult. He is ready to sacrifice a person on family, a family on village, a village on country and his own life on the whole country. If you cannot stay in Gurukul then how will you stay in war field? You accept the challenge of your duties and go back to Gurukul along with your brothers."

On the other side Shakuni was preparing Duryodhan for kingship of Hastinaapur. He told him that a good player is that whose orders are followed even by dice. If you need six, then you should six only, because what will do of 12. Second, a good player should always play to win, and he should also know that what does he need to win the game.

Many years before, Bheeshm played a political game through Vidur. If he had not done so, then your father had been the king today. The same Bheeshm is now planning another new arrow for Yudhishthir through Vidur. Bheeshm always calls him "the eldest Kuru son", but how does it matter if he is "the eldest Kuru son", He is only "the eldest Paandu son", but you are "the king's eldest son", therefore you have the birth right on the throne, never forget this. That is why do the same as your Maamaa says, then even Kaal (time) cannot take away this throne from you."

Duryodhan said - "Then what should I do?" Shakuni said - "There are five fingers in a hand, and when they unite among themselves, they make a fist. And fist has an enormous power." Duryodhan interfered - "But we are 100 brothers." Shakuni said - "But you are not five. One hundred fingers cannot make a fist. You should pretend of your friendship to them. You cannot compete Yudhishthir in wisdom and strength; Bheem is not less than you in strength; and Arjun in glory power, and Nakul and Sahadev in peace power are more than you. They don't have only one power and that is "cheating power". Bheem is fond of eating, so let us use it as your weapon."

Duryodhan was learning from Shakuni. So both hatched a plot to kill Bheem. One day all boys went to play near the banks of Gangaa River. They played there till evening. By then Bheem felt hungry, so Duryodhan took him to his tent and offered Kheer (an Indian sweets made of rice and milk). That Kheer was mixed with a very dangerous poison. Shakuni said that, that poison was so dangerous that nobody had any antidote of that poison except Naag, So Bheem's death was certain if he ate that Kheer. Now Duryodhan and Dushaasan offered that Kheer to him. Well, Bheem was very fond of food, and he had a fairly good diet also, so he ate all the Kheer. Then he told that he was feeling sleepy, so he slept there only. Duryodhan and Dushaasan were very happy to see their plan working according to their original plan. After a few moments they confirmed that Bheem was really sleeping, they tied him in a mat and threw in Gangaa River. Yudhishthir saw Bheem going with Duryodhan so he was worried about him. because since then he didn't see Bheem. Shakuni was very happy with this step of Duryodhan. When Bheem didn't come back in palace with all other children, then Gaandhaaree got worried. She asked immediately - "Where is Bheem?" Many people were sent in search of Bheem but they couldn't find him. Kuntee was also worried about him. She called Duryodhan and asked about Bheem but he told lie that he did go with him, but then he told that he was going to his elder brother and he went away. But it seems that he didn't go there also. Vidur also reported that Bheem was not found anywhere. Consoling Kuntee he said to her - "Bheem is a blow of wind, must have ggone somewhere flowing. He will come back flowing in the same way as he has gone, you should not worry so much about him." Kuntee said - "Vidur, You cannot know the worries of a mother of orphan children." Vidur said immediately - "Being Pitaamah Bheeshm and Mahaaraaj Dhritraashtra alive, Paandu's sons can never be orphan, be assured of this. Wherever Bheem will be, he will be safe and secured." Instead of drowning in the River Bheem just went down sinking in the River. Some Naag brought him to the king of Naag, Vaasuki. The king asked his people - "Why have you brought this child here?" They said - "Mahaaraaj, He is not an ordinary child. We found him in unconscious state, and thinking him a spy our Naag bit him, but instead of dying he became alive and he fought with us. He destroyed our border posts also. It seems that somebody gave him poison which lost its effect as our Naag bit him." Vaasuki asked - "Who are you, Child?" Bheem replied - "I am Kuntee's son Bheem." Raajaa exclaimed "Kuntee's son? Then you have come to your Naanaa's house (mother's mother's house, or maternal grandmother's house). As Bheeshm is your Pitaamah, in the same way I am your mother's Maataamah. (he was Kuntee's mother's father). She is my daughter's daughter. She must be very much worried after you have disappeared. But when you have come here, have some blessings from me." Then he gave him Sudhaaras in large bowl saying that it had 1,000 elephants' power in it and he should drink it. Bheem drank it in one time. Vaasuki filled his bowl again and said - "Drink more. The more you drink the more powerful you will be. Each bowl will give you the strength of a 1,000 elephants." He drank eight bowls of Sudhaaras and went to sleep. Bheem slept there for eight days. On the eighth day he got up, ate Divine food of Vaasuki Naag and was sent to the surface. He found himself at the same place where they camped for playing. He went to his mother and brothers from there. Kuntee and Yudhishthir were so happy to see Bheem that they could not speak for a few moments. Then Bheem told his strange story to everybody. Vidutr also heard his story and warned him from Duryodhan's hatred. Seeing Bheem coming back safely, everybody got very happy. But as Dushaasan came to know about this, he went rushing to inform Duryodhan about this. Duryodhan said surprisingly - "What? But Maamaa said that nobody had antidote of that poison except Naag." Dushaasan said - "But he is sitting with Kuntee right now and boasting that Naag Raaj gave him Sudhaaras which filled him with extraordinary strength. And now since he is alive, he can open our secret." Duryodhan said - "He cannot harm us, don't worry." Then Duryodhan came to tell this to Shakuni that whatever poison he gave to him for Bheem, he gave it to Bheem and threw him in Gangaa River, but he has returned with more strength." Shakuni said - "But I didn't say you to throw him in Gangaa River. That way goes directly to Naag Lok. But did he tell Gaandhaaree that you gave this poison to him?" Duryodhan said - "He has not told it yet." Shakuni said - "It means that somebody must have instructed to do so. Now you will have to be very careful. You should give him more opportunities to play with you, and as soon as you get the chance, make enough complaints about him. I am not the person who can be defeated like this." Duryodhan did the same. But when Gaandhaaree tried to console Bheem, he shut Gaandhaaree's mouth by telling her many other incidents about Duryodhan. Gaandhaaree asked help from Dhritraashtra, but he was not ready to hear anything about Duryodhan. Bheem was angry with this episode, but Yudhishthir consoled him saying that he should be silent about this incident. All inside stories should be inside, if this news spread outside then the elder father and mother will be very sad. Kuntee also said the same thing to Bheem. Although Kuntee and Yudhishthir told him not to say a word about it that Duryodhan mixed poison in his Kheer and then threw him in Gangaa River, but where Vidur like readers who could read in-between the lines, are there, how can this be kept inside. Vidur knows this that except him, everybody is tied with some or the other string, that is why he is always vigilant about everything. But to whom he should go now with his problem except Bheeshm? He didn't trust anybody else but he was locked inside his vow's room. But still Vidur went to discuss this story, about the tension between Duryodhan and Bheem, which was now known in Naag Lok too, to Bheeshm. When Bheeshm heard this, he couldn't believe his ears. Vidur suggested Bheeshm that he should explain the things to Duryodhan, but what will happen after this? Bheeshm said sighing - "A person should be very careful taking any vow, because neither a vow's knot can be broken, nor it can be opened. I am scared of Dhritraashtra's ambitions. I am thinking that when this poisonous tree will grow, what will happen then?" Vidur said - "In that situation, political ethics tells us only one thing that such a tree should be cut down before it grew." Bheeshm said - "No Vidur, no, because by cutting this plant the throne of Hastinaapur will also be cut, and I have taken vow to protect it. Duryodhan is still a child, he can be taken care of. Dhritraashtra cannot do conspiracy. In fact this poison spreader is Shakuni who thinks even today that we have insulted Gaandhaar family by marrying Gaandhaaree to a blind man.

One day Kaurav and Paandav were playing ball. Their ball fell in a well. All were thinking about ball as how to take it out, that they heard a voice - "What has happened? Has somebody fallen in well?" All saw a white bearded Braahman standing at their back. He was Drone. Arjun said - "Our ball has fallen in this well." Drone said - When you cannot protect even a ball how will you protect the whole Prithvi?" Arjun said again politely - "Would you please take out our ball from this well?" Drone asked them to bring some reed sticks and he threw them one by one into the well aiming at the ball. This made the sticks stuck to one another and to form a long stick. When it came to the brim of the well, children took out their ball. Children got happy and asked his introduction. Drone said - "Go to your Pitaamah and tell whatever happened her, he will know who I am." Children came back to palace. Arjun immediate went to Pitaamah and told this incident. Pitaamah immediately understood that Drone was in town. He went to see him and welcomed him on behalf of Raajaa Dhritraashtra. Drone asked about Kripaa, Bheeshm said - "So you haven't met him? He has gone to bring you and Kripee here only." "Why" Bheeshm said - As a Kul Guru his responsibilities have increased a lot, that is why he has not been able to pay full attention to children's education. So he suggested that you should be invited to do this job. I am sure that you will agree to be their Guru and give honor to this family." Perhaps Duryodhan also reported this incident to Shakuni or Dhritraashtra, so Shakuni and Duryodhan also came to see him. Shakuni asked Duryodhan to present a gift to Drone, which Duryodhan promptly did. Shakuni said - "Please accept this small gift, Aachaarya. There are some gold coins in this." Drone said curtly - "I accept Guru Dakshinaa only after finishing the education." Bheeshm said - "Education is not weighed by gold coins, prince Shakuni. There should be a Bhakt (devotee) and Bhagvaan like relationship between a disciple and his Guru." And Guru Drone was appointed as the Guru for Kaurav and Paandav.

Every person of this story has his own story too and has his or her own dream. On one side is Shakuni who is residing in Hastinaapur leaving his own country Gaandhaar and is strengthening his roots there. On one side is Bheeshm who is tied with the throne through his vows and faithfulness. On one side is Gaandhaaree who has tied a cloth string on her eyes with the idea that whatever her husband cannot see, she also doesn't have the right to see it. If her eyes were open, perhaps she could better guide Dhritraashtra about his life, but her faithfulness to Dhritraashtra had ordered her that 'follow your husband blindly'. And that is why she continued to live closing her eyes. Only Kuntee is standing alone. Even Drone has his own past. He is struck by a wound of enmity and insult on his heart. Guru Drone did weapon worship and started their education. Shakuni got worried with Drone's coming. He said to Dhritraashtra - "Whoever Braahman has weapons, he is not trustworthy at all, but here only that type of Braahman are gathering. Before, there was only Kripaachaarya, now Dronaachaarya has also come. And this trick is also played by Bheeshm, because nobody could point a finger at Drone on being Guru of princes. I am worried about Duryodhan and you don't want even to think about him." Dhritraashtra said - "What should I do then?" Shakuni said to Dhritraashtra - "You leave Gaandhaaree's hands and start walking holding my hand. She cannot make any difference between her own people and others. I have only one wish, that Duryodhan becomes king and I go back to Gaandhaar Desh." Dhritraashtra said - "What is the objection to you in being Drone as Aachaarya? Do you think that he will pay less attention to one and more to another?" Shakuni said - "That is what I am afraid of. Arjun's innocence will surely attract him. There is only one solution to this problem, if Ashwatthaamaa could come here. Kripaa went to Kripee to bring Drone to Hastinaapur, so Ashwatthaamaa asked him - "A disciple is more important for Guru, or a son is more important for a father?" Kripaa said - "Putra, Your question is not correct. Both water and air are important for life. Neither a father's life is complete without son, nor a Guru's life has any meaning without a disciple. As the son is the identification of his father, in the same way a disciple is the identification of his Guru. But there is a difference between a son and a disciple, that a son does not belong only to father, he belongs to his mother also; while a disciple belongs only to his Guru. But why are you asking this question?" Ashwatthaamaa said - "I want to decide that whether I should go to my father as his son or as his disciple?" Kripaa said - "Knowledge is not an ancestral property which is just transferred from father to son; knowledge has to be taken, and whoever can take it the same has the right on that knowledge." Hearing this Ashwatthaamaa decided that he would go there as the disciple of his father, not as the son of his father.

Drone had started educating Kaurav and Paandav. Once he was teaching archery, Arjun showed his special skills in it and his aim was perfect. So Drone was very happy with him. He asked him - "What is the definition of Kshatriya Dharm?" Arjun said - "To take up the weapons to protect victims of injustice and brutalities is Kashatriya Dharm." "And what is Raaj Dharm?" Arjun said - "To pay price of rights of public by sacrificing his own life and to protect them is Raaj Dharm." "And what is your identification?" Arjun said - "I have only one identification, and that is that I am your disciple." Drone got very pleased hearing this from Arjun. Kripaa also came with Ashwatthaamaa. Ashwatthaamaa told Drone that his mother had also come along with them. Drone said - "Kripaa, Time has not yet come to see Kripee. A spear has pierced my heart, I will meet her only after that wound is healed." Duryodhan had decided at the same time that he should extend his friendship with Guru Putra. Kripaa asked Kripee - "Sister, Why Drone said that "the time has not come to see you yet"; and he said to me that "a spear has pierced my heart , I will meet her only after that wound is healed". Tell me what happened and who did it?" Kripee said - "When he was in Gurukul, he had a good friendship with Raajaa Drupad. After the education was over, when he was going from there, he came to see him and spoke with affection - "Treat me as yours, don't forget me. Whatever I have today, that is also yours, and whatever I will have tomorrow that will also be yours." Once when Ashwatthaamaa was about 3-4 years old, he insisted for milk. There was no milk in the house, this he knew himself too. At that time he told me about Drupad's conversation. I told him that it was the matter of past, he must have forgotten it, you should also forget it. He said - "You don't know Drupad." And he went to Drupad's place. What happened there, I don't know anything about it because he never came back from there.

Today Raadheya was 16 years old. It was his birthday. Adhirath brought a new chariot with new horses for him. He had taken leave from his Saarathee's services from Dhritraashtra to educate his son Raadheya, he told him that he would start teaching him to be a Saarathee. But Raadheya did not want to be a Saarathee. He wanted to learn weaponry. He asked his mother Raadhaa - "Mother, What is it that I do not want to be a charioteer and I always want to be an archer. Why is this so?" Raadhaa said - "Yesterday you were talking in your dream, "Who are you? Why do you haunt me like this?" My son, What was that dream?" Raadheya said - "Mother, Vey often I see this dream. That there is woman clad in beautiful expensive clothes, her face is hidden so I cannot see it. I am lying down and she bends over me. Hot tears from her eyes fall on me. I get up and ask her, "Who are you?", but she vanishes like a ghost. I do not want to be a charioteer. There must be some explanation for them." Raadhaa drew him nearer to her and said - "Putra, Now is the time that I should tell you the story. It happened 16 years ago, the day of today, your father went to Gangaa to offer morning prayers to Soorya Dev. He heard a child's cry. He saw around but he did not see any child crying. But he saw a shining box floating on Gangaa waters. He thought that maybe the cry was coming from that box. So he swam to the middle of the river and brought it to the banks and opened it. To his amazement he found a most beautiful child he had ever seen in that box. He rushed home and said to me - "Raadhaa, Raadhaa, see what I have brought for you." I ran out to see that what he had brought for me, and I couldn't believe my eyes. He was holding a child in his arms. I Took him in my laps and said - "It is so beautiful. It has a Kavach and Kundal, then it must be belonging to some Devtaa. No earthly child can have such beauty." Your father said - "Maybe because you are childless, that is why some Devtaa had created this child and sent it to us. I am going to call him Raadheya as he will be your beloved son." We were thrilled to have a son. I looked at the box, it was no ordinary box. You were wrapped in an expensive silk that only a princess could use. Since you were born with Kavach and Kundal we named you "Vasushen", but your father has always called you Raadheya. Maybe it is because of your birth you do not want to be a charioteer and want to learn archery, because you might be a Kshatriya. My son, you are no my son, go in the world and search for your mother. I am grateful to Bhagvaan to give a son for all these years." Raadheya said - "Mother, you also want to abandon me? I will not let it happen. I know that you are my mother and you will always be. I am proud to be a Soot-Putra. And don't worry. Learning has never cared for cast or creed. I am going now, but remember that I will come back only to you.

Helpless Adhirath had to bring him to Drone, because at that time Drone was the only best teacher of archery in the world and like other fathers, he also wanted to educate his son by the best teacher. Drone said - "Adhirath, you? You used to be Mahaaraaj's Saarathee?" "Yes Aachaarya." Drone asked - "Is he your son?" "Yes Aachaarya." Drone asked Raadheya - "What is your name?" "Raadheya" Adhirath said - "His mother's name is Raadhaa, that is why he is called Raadheya." Drone said - "Your name doesn't match with the shine of your face. You have Soorya's shine on your face your name should have been Karn. Well, tell me why did you come here?" Adhirath said - "He was insisting to learn weaponry, so where a father can take his son to learn this except you?" Drone said - "I should have been very pleased to donate knowledge (Vidyaa Daan)..." The then Raadheya said - "Excuse me Aachaarya, I do not accept donations and knowledge cannot be taken in donation." Drone continued his sentence - "... But in this Gurukul nobody else except princes and Kshatriya are educated, and your son is neither a prince nor a Kshatriya. You will have to search any other Guru for him." Raadheya said - "Does education check for caste first? Does Maa Saraswatee (Devee of knowledge) ask for father's name first? May I ask you one question?" Ashwatthaamaa was sitting there so pointing towards him Raadheya asked - "Who is this youth?" Drone said - "He is Ashwatthaamaa, my son." Raadheya said - "Means, he is neither a prince nor a Kshatriya." and went away. Drone got silent at this comment of Raadheya.

Once Arjun didn't find Bheem anywhere so he went out in search of him. He found him sitting in dark eating something. Arjun got very surprised to see him eating in dark. He asked - "Bhiyaa, How does this food go into your mouth in dark?" Bheem said - "Arjun, Hands also have eyes. Mouth is at the same place then how hands can miss it? This is called practice, Arjun, this is called practice." Arjun got the idea. He started practicing in dark. Once Drone found him practicing like this, he asked - "Arjun, I have not yet taught this to you?" Arjun said - "Guru Jee, Only you have taught this to me, but I have got its inspiration from the interest Bhaiyaa Bheem has in food. I noticed one day that he was eating in dark and his mouth did not miss his food even once. I asked him as how did it happen? He said - "Hands also have eyes." so I thought, if hands have eyes then they can shoot arrows also." Hearing all this from Arjun Drone got very pleased with him and he started teaching him with more interest. He said to him - "I will surely prepare you as the best archer and I will teach you Brahmaastra also. Then he said - "Knowledge has two enemies - tiredness and sleep; and it has two friends also - labor and carefulness. Whoever had won both these enemies and got both these friends, he becomes invincible for anybody. And today I bless you for this."

One day Guru Drone went to take bath in a river, that a crocodile caught his leg. Drone shouted for help. There were other disciples also but they could not understand what to do. Duryodhan etc rushed to bring help. Arjun was also there, he shot 3 arrows in the mouth of that crocodile, one in his upper jaw, one in his lower jaw and the third one between them to keep his mouth open and saved the life of his Guru Jee. Drone got very happy with Arjun. In fact Drone had made a machine in the form of a crocodile to test Arjun's skill in archery, and he passed that test. By the time Duryodhan came back with the help, Guru Jee had come out of the trouble and was sitting restfully. He said - "We went to ask for help?" Bheem said - "You went to bring help, or you got frightened and ran away. Coward." Duryodhan said - "You called me coward?" Drone said - "You are not coward. But you are tied with the string of pride. Free yourself from it. Pride doesn't look nice to brave people and princes, because it is the symbol of weakness. First try to win your pride. Learn to be polite because politeness is the path of progress."

Bheeshm and Vidur are worried because of the problem of Dhritraashtra and Shakuni. Vidur suggested that they should wait for Yudhishthir to grow up to declare him the Crown Prince of Hastinaapur. Bheeshm said - "Vidur, that is also not easy. If we will declare Yudhishthir as Crown Prince, Shakuni will still raise the question of ability between Duryodhan and Yudhishthir. So it is not only that princes are grown up, but Yudhishthir should be more able than Duryodhan too. This is all the result of my father's Moh (intense love)." Vidur said - "Then do you think, that you made a mistake by taking that vow?" Bheeshm said - "No Vidur, no, Even if I will have to take birth 100 times, and face the same situation 100 times, I will take the same decision all the 100 times. This is my son, this is my father, it is all right, but a human being is first a citizen and then something else. And when the person doesn't consider this as his responsibility, then the country always suffers. Vidur said sadly - "There was no contribution of Mahaaraaj Paandu's citizenship in Kindam's Muni's killing, but sometimes something happens accidentally for which the whole country has to pay price."

When Guru teaches his disciples he teaches them equally. That knowledge which he imparts to them is like clear water, whatever color you mix in it, water becomes of the same color. So the weapons are the same - Gadaa, or bow or sword, but when they are in different disciples' hands they take a different meaning, such as Gadaa is same, but when Bheem will take it, it will have different meaning, but when Duryodhan will take it, it will have a completely different meaning. Then what Guru can do? One day a child named Eklavya came to Drone and requested him to be his Guru for archery. Drone asked him - "Who are you?" Eklavya siaid - "I am Eklavya, the son of Hiranyadhanu, the king of Nishaad." Drone wouldn't take him as his disciple because he was not a Kshatriya, so he said - "Dear child, I cannot take you as my disciple because I am teaching to these Kshatriya princes. I like you but I cannot teach you." Disappointed the young child came back to the forest. He bore no ill-will towards Drone in his mind. but was not happy with him. Back in the forest he made a figure of Drone out of mud with his own hands. He called him his Guru. Daily he would worship his image of Guru and practice archery. Within a short time he was able to learn archery. His love for archery and his love for his Guru made him think about only archery. He wanted to master the art. One day Kaurav and Paandav went on a picnic in a forest. They took a dog along with them. The dog entered the forest. He came upon a strange man who was wearing leopard skin, The dog took him as a leopard and started barking. Eklavya sealed his mouth with his seven arrows. Now the dog could not open his mouth. The dog ran away to the place from where he came. So Drone and children saw a dog coming with his mouth full of arrows. Arjun saw the art of arrows and immediately spoke "Wonderful". Others also got surprised to see him like this. They all went in the direction from where he came. Drone found a boy practicing archery. He asked him - "Did you fill that dog's mouth with arrows?" "Yes" Drone asked him - "Who are you and where did you learn archery?" The boy replied - "My name is Eklavya and I am the son of Nishaad Raaj Hiranyadhanu (an army chief in Jaraasandh's army). Please accept my respects, Guru Dev." Drone got surprised to hear this and said - "But I have never seen you, nor I have ever taught you." Eklavya said - "Yes, You have not given education to me but I have taken education from you only." And he took them where he had established his Guru's statue (Drone's statue). Drone had another surprise. Eklavya said - "I learn archery by greeting your feet. Whatever you taught to these princes, I used to see it standing in hiding and practicing it later." Duryodhan asked - "Will you be my friend." Eklavya said - "If Magadh and Hastinaapur will be friends then I will surely be your friend." Drone loved Arjun very much and he wanted him to be the best archer in the world. He saw another future better archer in Eklavya, so he said - "Do you know that when you learn something from the Guru, you will have to pay Guru Dakshinaa? Because without paying it the education is incomplete. Won't you give Guru Dakshinaa?" "Yes, Why not, please order me." Drone said - "Then give me your right hand thumb." All children stood stunned hearing such Guru Dakshinaa, but Eklavya immediately picked up a knife and cut his right hand thumb and offered it to Guru's feet without any hesitation. [Even today, the people from that tribe do not use their right hand thumb while using their bow and arrow.]

Guru Drone had asked Eklavya's thumb but he was unaware of another archer who was getting trained to challenge Arjun in future. He was Raadheya - Karn (or read Karn, Kuntee). He was taking training under Parashuraam Jee. When Drone refused him to teach archery only because of being a Soot-Putra, he felt very bad. He thought that a Soot-Putra is the child of a Kshatriya and a Braahman, he should tell about himself as either Kshatriya or a Braahman. In those times then Parashuraam was the greatest archer. He knew his anger about Kshatriya. So he thought that if he would go there and told himself a Braahman, maybe he agrees to educate him. He made up his mind and went to his Aashram. With matted hair and and burning eyes Bhaargav had a terrible personality. Raadheya fell on the feet of Bhaargav, and said - "I have come with a great hope, please, do not send me back empty-handed." Bhaargav lifted him up, Raadhey's eyes were full of tears. Bhaargav was very pleased with the young man and his humility. Raadheya told him that he was a Braahman and that he wanted to learn archery from him. Bhaargav said - "I will teach you willingly." He spent many years in learning archery from Bhaargav. He was learning with his full heart. His aim was only one - to acquire knowledge. For him knowledge meant power, fame and recognition. His education was coming to an end. Bhaargav was very happy with his archery practice, so he blessed him "Be the best archer of the world." He is the same Parashuraam Jee who made Prithvi without any Kshatriya 21 times; and in the end went to Van after donating all won Prithvi to Maharshi Kashyap Jee. When Raam was born in Prajaapati's son Soorya's lineage, then he took retirement after handing over his bow to Raam, but he never accepted anybody else than Bheeshm as his disciple. Now he was giving him last piece of advice. He said to Raadheya - "I have been very happy with you all these days. I have given you all that I had. I am very proud to have you as my disciple. You are very honest and you respect your elders. You must use this knowledge in upholding Dharm. You must never use it for any unrighteous cause. Arrow has the soul of the archer. It means that this is the first duty of an archer that he should not let get his arrows insulted by bribery, or injustice. If he will not do so then all the arrows of his quiver will be lifeless and he will be without education as if it was never there before with him. No Guru must have got a disciple like you after Devavrat." Parashuraam felt tired, the heat was unbearable, so he asked Raadheya to bring a deer skin and a pillow from the Aashram and expressed his desire to take some rest under a shade of a tree. Raadheya said - "I am here. I will sit down and and you can use my lap as your pillow. Can I not do this small service to the greatest of men?" Parashuraam was very happy with his devotion to Guru. He put his head in the lap of Raadheya and slept under a tree. Raadheya got lost in his thoughts. He was thinking about Parashuraam's words, "You are very honest". Am I really honest? Perhaps not. I told him that I was a Braahman, when I am not. But that was the only way to get education for which he was longing for long. The wise have said that the end justifies the means. His aim was to acquire knowledge that was why he told a lie. A lie is a sin if it is told to achieve sinful, but he had not committed any sin. Some time passed that Raadheya felt something stinging in his thigh on which Guru's head was resting. Without disturbing Guru's sleep he tried to see what it was. It was a scorpion. Its sting was very sharp. But what could he do? His Guru was sleeping so he patiently sat unmoved. Blood came out after its sting. When that warm blood touched Guru's face he got up and said - "Raadheya, There is blood on my face, where did it come from?" Raadheya said - "From my thigh, Guru Jee. While you were sleeping a scorpion bit me, this blood is coming from the same wound." Rishi was stunned to see the scorpion, he said - "Then why didn't you get up and stop the pain?" Raadheya said - "Guru Jee, You were tired, you were sleeping. I did not want to disturb your sleep." Parashuraam said - "How can you you be a Braahman? A Braahman cannot bear so much pain, only a Kshatriya can bear so much pain. Did I teach everything to a sinful Kshatriya? I hate Kshatriya. I can never forgive you for your this deception to me. You are a Kshatriya, admit it." Raadheya fell at his feet. It broke his heart with the fear that whatever he had learned will go waste. He held his Guru's feet firmly and cried - "Forgive me Guru Jee, You have been more than a father for me. A father should forgive his child. This is correct that I am not a Braahman, but I am not a Kshatriya either. I am Raadheya, a Soot-Putra. My father is Adhirath. A Soot born from Kshatriya and a Braahman. The only thing I wanted is learning. I beg of you, please forgive me." Nothing could move Parashuraam Jee. He had forgotten his devotion to him, he forgot that because of him Raadheya suffered the scorpion, he just remembered only his lie. He gave Shaap to Raadheya - "You learned archery by lying to me, when you are in a desperate need of an Astra, you will not be able to remember it." And he got up after a few moments. Raadheya was crying and crying - "Why did you give this Shaap to me? I spoke a lie only because of obtaining the knowledge, I had no other purpose for that." But Rishi's words were irrevocable. Still he said politely - "One thing, that you wanted fame, you will get it. You will be known as the greatest archer in coming times." and went away. Raadheya also walked away in great despair. He was so much in despair that for some time he just wandered aimlessly, he didn't what to do. In the meantime he saw an animal flash past him. More by instinct he shot an arrow at the animal. After he went near it he found that it was not a deer but was a cow and belonged to a Braahman. Raadheya went to him and told him that he had killed his cow in ignorance. He also got so much angry that he also gave Shaap to him that - "When you will be fighting with your deadliest enemy, the wheel of your chariot will sink into ground; and just as you killed my poor cow when she was unaware of the danger, he will also kill you when you are least prepared for it." Raadheya was certain now that this was also his fate's game. First he was Soot-Putra, then his Guru's Shaap, now this Braahman's Shaap will not let live him peacefully. Now he was not sad, but was ready to fight with his fate. He loved only one person in this world - his mother Raadhaa. He wanted to make her happy at any cost. So he went home, but immediately he could not tell her that all these years of education was useless for him. He stayed there for a few days then told her mother that he was going to Hastinaapur.

Ashwatthaamaa was very jealous of Arjun because his father used to love him very dearly. He thought that he was his son but Arjun was getting his father's whole love. So one day Ashwatthaamaa asked his father - "May I ask you one thing?" "Yes, why not, ask son what do you want to ask...?" He asked - "You love Arjun most, why?" Drone said - "You are my son because God created you as my son, but I myself accepted Arjun as my disciple. This is Gurukul, not the courtyard of your house. Nobody else other than you has any right on the courtyard of our house even today. But in Gurukul he will have the maximum rights who will be the best disciple. And Arjun is my best disciple. Arjun is that Nar (human being) because of him we will meet Naaraayan (God)." Ashwatthaamaa said - "How did you decide that Arjun is your best disciple without taking any test," Drone said - "We can do this also for your satisfaction only." So one day Drone set up a bird on a branch of a tree and called all princes one by one to pierce its eye. He asked the same questions from everybody. First he called Yudhishthir and asked him to aim it "What do you see?" Yudhishthir said - "Prithvi, sky, tree, bird." Then he called Duryodhan and asked - "Aim it, what do you see?" Duryodhan said - "I see the bird hidden behind leaves." He moved him from there and called Ashwatthaamaa and asked - "Aim it and what do you see?" Ashwatthaamaa replied - I see your feet, tree and bird hidden behind leaves." All were moved from there and Drone called Arjun in the last and asked the same questions "Aim it. What do you see?". Arjun said - "I see only the head of the bird." Drone asked "And now?" Arjun said - "And now I can see only one eye of the bird." Drone said - "Whoever archer sees anything other than his aim, he cannot aim it and shoot it. So to be a god archer it is necessary to concentrate only at your aim, then only you can shoot at your aim. A good archer must not see anything else than his aim." Seeing this Ashwatthaamaa asked Guru's forgiveness. Drone said - "Ashwatthaamaa, You are the light of my life. It is not good to be jealous with others, because jealousy eats a person like termites. Drone's heir is you, but the best disciple of Drone's Gurukul is this Arjun."

Drone was burning in the fire of insult, pride and revenge. Kripaa came to take him home. Drone said - "Not yet Kripaa. I came out of the house telling Kripee that I was going to bring a cow for Ashwatthaamaa." Kripaa said - "But now we have many cows by the God's grace." Drone said - "But I don't have that cow for which I came out of the house." Kripaa said - "Didn't Drupad have even one cow?" Drone said - "Kripaa, He had a cow too and had insult also. He didn't give me cow but gave me insult. Drupad said - "I will give you anything whatever you ask, if you ask me without the right of friendship." Kripaa said - "You should have punished him then and there." Drone said - "If he had been any enemy, I could have punished him, but he was not an enemy, he was a friend. And in spite of being a friend he told me that I could ask anything being a Braahman but not as a friend. How could I think that he could be my friend. Friendship is always between equal status people." But now I will surely punish him." As Kaurav and Paandav's education was over, they came to pay Guru Dakshinaa. Drone said - "One of you should go and bring Drupad as a captive defeating him in fight." Duryodhan immediately said - "I go just now and kill him, Guru Dev." Drone said - "I did not order to kill him." DDuryodhan said - "Please forgive me." Drone said - "Orderly should follow only orders. If somebody goes further than the order that is also called not following orders." Duryodhan went to bring Drupad. Duryodhan started towards Paanchaal Desh. Arjun asked Drone - "Why didn't you allow us to go there for this work, Guruvar?" Drone said - "Because you have finished your education, but there is still one chapter remaining for him." "What is that?" "Pride. Because pride is the biggest enemy of brave people. Although I wish to destroy his pride, but I don't know how many days or years he will take to learn this." Duryodhan went there with his army under the flag of Hastinaapur. When Drupad saw that Hastinaapur army was coming, although he did not understand it all that why they were coming there with army to attack him, because Hastinaapur was his friend, he also took his army and faced them. Duryodhan got defeated and came back without him. He asked pardon for not being able to pay Guru Dakshinaa. But Drone told him that he had accepted his Guru Dakshinaa as at least he tried - success or failure is another matter. Then Drone sent Paandav. He asked - "Under whose flag will you go?" Yudhishthir said - "We cannot go under Hastinaapur flag, because this fight is for Guru Dakshinaa, and you have not asked Guru Dakshinaa from Hastinaapur. We will go alone." So Paandav didn't go there with army. They went alone. Arjun defeated Drupad by blinding him by showering his arrows and brought him to Drone as captive. Now Drone had Drupad at his mercy. He asked Drupad - "May I still call you my friend? But you are not even equal to my disciples, then how friendship can exist between you and me? I am the same Braahman, still you are my friend. You did not keep your promise, but I will surely keep it. Whatever is mine is yours too. Since you are already defeated, your whole kingdom is mine. Therefore I give you half kingdom from my kingdom, and take the other half myself, so that the division is equal. But because you are standing before me, that is why I will surely punish you. All the cows from your cow herd will also be divided in half and half, and whatever cows will be yours, I will take one cow from them, and I will give that cow to Kripee and say "Take this cow to Kripee, it is from my friend's cow herd." Drupad was so happy to see Arjun and his warfare techniques that he wished for a daughter who he could give him in appreciation. But he was very furious with Drone. He wanted to kill him. He knew that no ordinary person could kill Drone, so he thought to do a severe Tap to get a son who could kill Drone. Thinking thus he returned to Kaampilya Nagaree. After Drupad had left Drone took a cow and went home with Ashwatthaamaa. Kripee got very happy to see both of them. He said to Ashwatthaamaa - "Son, You are now a king, but it doesn't mean that you have become Kshatriya. You are still an Aachaarya's son. Your duty is to learn all your lifelong, and whatever you have learned to impart it to able people. Education is not important, important is ability. As a river cannot be poured in a small pot, in the same way there is no meaning of taking a drop from sea." Ashwatthaamaa said - "Father, I had a question in my mind for quite some time, if you permit me, may I ask you that question?" Drone said - "Yes, sure, You are permitted, but you are asking whom? From your father or Guru?" Ashawatthaamaa said - "From my Guru. Why did you ask Eklavya his thumb? (see Story of Eklavya) Is it because he was not a Kshatriya?" Drone said - "But you are also not Kshatriya." "But at least I am Braahman." Drone said - "But who came first? A human being or caste? Nobody becomes a Braahman only by birth. The day he will forget his Braahman's duties, he will not be a Braahman. I asked Eklavya's thumb not because that he was not of a higher caste, because education doesn't belong to any caste. Lower caste doesn't mean that they cannot get education. I took his thumb only because he did not take education, rather he stole it and he had no right on stolen education. If he had been any Braahman or Kshatriya, then also I would have asked his thumb on the same issue."

Dhritraashtra was very disappointed after the demonstration of princes' skills of weaponry. He had great hopes that his son Duryodhan will be declared the best after his education, and his crown will come back to him through his son. But his all hopes were dead now. He felt that he was so much unfortunate that if he saw his fate somewhere, he would kill it. One day Bheeshm asked Dhritraashtra - "What is the delay in announcing the name of the Crown Prince? Keep in mind that you are the king of Hastinaapur and it is your duty to give an able Crown Prince to Hastinaapur. When deciding, you should keep in mind this also that the basis of politics is not to take care of the welfare of son, but to take care of the welfare of the public. And know that also, that the result of not listening to public voice is also not good. Lest your interests are clashing with public interests." Hearing all this Dhritraashtra got a bit alert, so before taking any decision, he asked Shakuni to find out that how much deep were the roots of this agitation, if he did not declar Yudhishthir as the Crown Prince. Shakuni found out through his secret agent that the roots were quite deep if Yudhishthir was not declared the Crown Prince. So what should he do now? Shakuni told Duryodhan that his father was pressed to appoint Yudhishthir as the Crown Prince. Duryodhan said - "Oh, no, My father cannot do this injustice to me, but what can I do?" Shakuni instigated him that he would have to take his rights from him forcefully and so he should go to Dhritraashtra and ask for his rights. Duryodhan went to Dhritraashtra and said to him - "I am the eldest son of the king of Hastinaapur, therefore it is my right to become the Crown Prince. If you appointed anybody else, I will not tolerate him at all." Dhritraashtra said - "The first most important rule of politics is that one should not let anger come even near him, because it makes a man blind." Duryodhan said - "I am so unfortunate that my father iis blind by birth, my mother is blind by action and I am blind with insult." Dhritraashtra got moved by his statement so he said to him - "Let me see what Vidur says about this." So Dhritraashtra put his problem before the internal committee - Drone, Bheeshm, Kripaa, Vidur. He said - "Duryodhan says "If my father had not been blind then this throne would have been mine." What shall I reply him? I don't consider his question wrong also." Kripaa said - "The problem is this only that Mahaaraaj is considering this question right." Dhritraashtra asked - "Then is this question wrong? I love both sons, and I do not want to do injustice with any of them, that is why I have put this question before all of you. Whatever you people will decide, I will agree with that decision. Guru Drone! What is your opinion? Both are your disciples." Drone said - "Yes, Both are my disciples, but everybody knows that Arjun is my most favorite disciple, so if I say this that Yudhishthir should be appointed the Crown Prince, then Duryodhan might think that I am favoring Yudhishthir." Dhritraashtra said - "It means that Yudhishthir should be the Crown Prince." Vidur said - "Mahaaraaj, Duryodhan's question is just useless." Dhritraashtra said - "How?" Vidur said - "Putra is the heir of father's wealth and property only, and Hastinaapur is not your wealth. If Yudhishthir has not been an able prince, then his right also on Hastinaapur throne would not have proved either just because he is the eldest son of Mahaaraaj Paandu. And just think, you are not even representative of the king, Mahaaraaj. You are only the representative of representative. And even if the son is the heir of father's kingdom, then also this right goes to Yudhishthir being Hastinaapur's king Paandu's son." Dhritraashtra said - "Then you are also in favor to appoint Yudhishthir as Crown Prince." Dhritraashtra said again - "Then what should I say in court tomorrow?" Bheeshm said - "When the Time puts up any question, it provides the answer also. It depends on you to agree with, or not to agree with it."