is with the noblest warriors.
But, of course, a deer can’t sire a tiger
and this man is a tiger—so I would guess
his mysterious birth must hold a clue
to his greatness. Karna deserves—hear me out—
our deep respect and, in my eyes at least,
he is a king.
“Now, tell your little brother
to gather his scattered wits, pick up his bow
and fight the King of Anga—if he dares!”
At this, the audience murmured its approval.
But night had fallen, it was too late to fight.
The crowd drifted away, talking of Karna.
7.
REVENGE
Arjuna’s public humiliation
was a setback for the Pandavas.
Even Yudhishthira was now convinced
that no archer on earth could beat Karna.
But Drona had his mind on other matters.
He gathered all the princes. “Listen, young men—
that’s what I call you; after yesterday
you are no longer boys. You have made me proud.
What you all achieved in that arena
showed me your education is complete.
But yesterday was circus tricks compared
to the glorious battles you were born for.
The time has come for me to claim my dues.
You know my grievance against Drupada.
Year by year, the craving for revenge
has swelled in me, like a blocked watercourse
longing for release. This will be your fee—
that you shall take an army to Kampilya
and bring Drupada to me as a prisoner.”
This prospect was thrilling to the princes.
They cheered and punched the air in exultation
and the elders too supported Drona’s cause.
A fighting force was rapidly assembled
and, with the Bharata princes at its head,
and Drona riding with them, they set out.
Entering the land of the Panchalas
the Bharata force crushed all opposition
and reached the fine city of Kampilya.
Outside the city ramparts, they milled about,
keen but disorganized. The Kauravas,
led by Duryodhana, were desperate
to storm the city and tear it apart.
They were consumed by feverish excitement
jostling for the chance to achieve glory.
The Pandavas, calm and more thoughtful, waited
at a distance. While Duryodhana
led the army in a charge, breaching
the city gate through the force of numbers,
the Pandavas stayed well behind, with Drona.
This self-restraint was their first victory.
Arjuna was confident, “You’ll see,
Drupada will overpower our cousins—
I’ve heard he is a formidable archer.”
As Duryodhana and his troops rampaged
through the streets of the unfamiliar city,
killing all opponents, they felt triumphant.
The Kaurava prince was opening his mouth
to declare victory, when the palace gates
burst open, to the deep bray of conches,
and Drupada rode out in a white chariot
like a whirling fire. His arrows streamed
in a continuous line, and every one
found its intended mark. Counter-attack
was impossible. At the same time
the citizens bombarded the invaders
with whatever heavy objects came to hand.
The Kauravas were routed. They had learned
that a thirst for victory was not enough.
“Retreat!” cried Duryodhana to his men,
and a ragged line of Kaurava chariots,
many driven by corpses, straggled out
beyond the city walls. Badly battered,
the defeated princes wailed to Drona,
“You pitched us against completely hopeless odds—
it was unfair, Drupada’s unbeatable!”
Then the Pandavas came quietly forward
buckling their armor. “We’ll attack him now.”
It was agreed by Arjuna and Drona
that Yudhishthira, as the future king,
should not join the assault and risk his life.
The four brothers flew into the city
without the army. First went giant Bhima,
swinging his mace like a force of nature
felling men, elephants and horses,
striking such fear into the Panchala troops
that they scattered like a flock of parakeets.
Drupada raised his great bow as before
but this time each arrow of his was blocked
midair by Arjuna’s answering cascade,
as dense and accurate as a water jet.
Arjuna was inspired, transfigured, god-like
as he whirled in a shimmering haze of
But, of course, a deer can’t sire a tiger
and this man is a tiger—so I would guess
his mysterious birth must hold a clue
to his greatness. Karna deserves—hear me out—
our deep respect and, in my eyes at least,
he is a king.
“Now, tell your little brother
to gather his scattered wits, pick up his bow
and fight the King of Anga—if he dares!”
At this, the audience murmured its approval.
But night had fallen, it was too late to fight.
The crowd drifted away, talking of Karna.
7.
REVENGE
Arjuna’s public humiliation
was a setback for the Pandavas.
Even Yudhishthira was now convinced
that no archer on earth could beat Karna.
But Drona had his mind on other matters.
He gathered all the princes. “Listen, young men—
that’s what I call you; after yesterday
you are no longer boys. You have made me proud.
What you all achieved in that arena
showed me your education is complete.
But yesterday was circus tricks compared
to the glorious battles you were born for.
The time has come for me to claim my dues.
You know my grievance against Drupada.
Year by year, the craving for revenge
has swelled in me, like a blocked watercourse
longing for release. This will be your fee—
that you shall take an army to Kampilya
and bring Drupada to me as a prisoner.”
This prospect was thrilling to the princes.
They cheered and punched the air in exultation
and the elders too supported Drona’s cause.
A fighting force was rapidly assembled
and, with the Bharata princes at its head,
and Drona riding with them, they set out.
Entering the land of the Panchalas
the Bharata force crushed all opposition
and reached the fine city of Kampilya.
Outside the city ramparts, they milled about,
keen but disorganized. The Kauravas,
led by Duryodhana, were desperate
to storm the city and tear it apart.
They were consumed by feverish excitement
jostling for the chance to achieve glory.
The Pandavas, calm and more thoughtful, waited
at a distance. While Duryodhana
led the army in a charge, breaching
the city gate through the force of numbers,
the Pandavas stayed well behind, with Drona.
This self-restraint was their first victory.
Arjuna was confident, “You’ll see,
Drupada will overpower our cousins—
I’ve heard he is a formidable archer.”
As Duryodhana and his troops rampaged
through the streets of the unfamiliar city,
killing all opponents, they felt triumphant.
The Kaurava prince was opening his mouth
to declare victory, when the palace gates
burst open, to the deep bray of conches,
and Drupada rode out in a white chariot
like a whirling fire. His arrows streamed
in a continuous line, and every one
found its intended mark. Counter-attack
was impossible. At the same time
the citizens bombarded the invaders
with whatever heavy objects came to hand.
The Kauravas were routed. They had learned
that a thirst for victory was not enough.
“Retreat!” cried Duryodhana to his men,
and a ragged line of Kaurava chariots,
many driven by corpses, straggled out
beyond the city walls. Badly battered,
the defeated princes wailed to Drona,
“You pitched us against completely hopeless odds—
it was unfair, Drupada’s unbeatable!”
Then the Pandavas came quietly forward
buckling their armor. “We’ll attack him now.”
It was agreed by Arjuna and Drona
that Yudhishthira, as the future king,
should not join the assault and risk his life.
The four brothers flew into the city
without the army. First went giant Bhima,
swinging his mace like a force of nature
felling men, elephants and horses,
striking such fear into the Panchala troops
that they scattered like a flock of parakeets.
Drupada raised his great bow as before
but this time each arrow of his was blocked
midair by Arjuna’s answering cascade,
as dense and accurate as a water jet.
Arjuna was inspired, transfigured, god-like
as he whirled in a shimmering haze of
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