Vaishampayana said: -
1. Arrived at Hastinapur, the excellent Brahmana, the son of Bharadvaja, (Drona) lived in privacy in the house of the son of Gotama (Kripa).
2. His lordly son, at the intervals of Kripa’s teachings, gave instructions to the sons of Pritha (Pandavas) on the use of arms. But none knew as yet Ashvathama’s (real) prowess.
3. Thus he (Drona) lived there in privacy for sometime, when one day the (Kuru) princes all in a company came out of the city of Hastinapur.
4. The princes began to play with a ball and when they were thus there playing, the ball fell into a well.
5. Thereupon, they tried their utmost to recover the ball (from the well). But with all their efforts they could not get up the ball.
6. Then they stared at one another, their faces flushed with blushes of shame. They were filled with great anxiety finding no means of recovering it.
7. They then saw near them a Brahmana of darkish colour, decrepit and lean, one who had performed his Sandhya and purified himself with Agnihotra.
8. Seeing that illustrious (Brahmana), the princes, who were despaired of the ball, immediately surrounded him.
9. The powerful Drona, seeing the princes unsuccessful in their attempts, smiled a little and being conscious of his own skill, he said.
10. “Shame on your Kshatrya prowess and shame also on your skill in arms! Being born in the race of Bharata, how is it that you cannot recover the ball!
11. ″If you give me a dinner, I shall with these blades of glass bring up not only the ball you have lost, but also this ring which I now throw down.”
12. Having said this, that chastiser of foes, Drona took off his ring and threw it into that dry well. Thereupon, the son of Kunti, Yudhisthira, spoke to Drona thus:
Yudhisthira said: -
13. O Brahmana, ask from us with the permission of Kripa that which would last you for life.
Vaishampayana said: -
Having been thus addressed, (Drona) smiling replied to the princes.
Drona said: -
14. I shall by my Mantras invest this handful of Ishikas (long glass) with the virtue of weapons. Behold their virtues that no other weapons possess.
15. I shall pierce the ball with one of these blades and then pierce that blade with another and that another with a third and thus making a chain, I shall bring it up.
Vaishampayana said: -
16. Then Drona did exactly what he had said. The princes were all amazed and their eyes expanded with delight. Regarding what they saw as very extraordinary, they said:
17. “O best of the twice bom, raise up the ring without delay.
Vaishampayana said: -
18. Then the greatly illustrious Drona, taking a bow with an arrow pierced the ring with it and brought it up.
19. Raising up from the well that ring, pierced with the arrow, he gave it to the astonished princes. Then princes too, seeing the ring thus recovered, said:
The princes said: -
20. O Brahmana, we bow to you. No one else possesses such skill. We early desire to know who you are and what we can do for you.”
21. Having been thus addressed, Drona spoke thus to the princes.
Drona said: -
22. Go to Bhisma and describe to him my likeness and skill. That greatly powerful man will be able to recognise me.
Vaishampayana said: -
23. Saying “Be it so,” the princes went to Bhisma and told him all that the Brahmana had said and done.
24. Hearing from the princes everything, Bhisma (at once) recognised Drona and thought that he would be the best preceptor (for the princes.)
25. That foremost of all wielders of weapons, Bhisma, went to him in person and welcoming him respectfully, brought him over to the palace and asked him the reason of his arrival. Thereupon Drona told him all.
Drona said: -
26. Being desirous of learning the science of anus, I formerly went to the great Rishi Agnivesha for obtaining weapons from him.
27. I was engaged there in serving my preceptor and lived (with him) for a long time as an humble minded Brahmachari with matted locks on my head.
28. The prince of Panchala, the greatly powerful Yajnasena also lived there with the same motive (as that of mine).
29. There he became my friend and he always sought my welfare. He was beloved to me. O lord, he lived with me for many years.
30. O descendant of Kuru, we had studied together from our earliest days; he was my friend from boyhood; he always spoke and did what was agreeable to me.
31. O Bhisma he used to tell me these gratifying words, “O Drona, I am the favourite son of my illustrious father.
32. When my father (the king) would install me as the ruler of the Panchalas, it (the kingdom) shall be then enjoyed by you. O friend, this is my solemn promise.
33. My kingdom, my wealth, my happiness all will be at your disposal.” When his study of the science of arms was finished he went away after being duly worshipped by me.
34-36. I kept his words always in my mind. Some time after, in obedience to the injunction of my father and in the temptation of begetting offspring, I married the illustrious daughter of Gautama (Kripi) who had sort hair, who possessed great intelligence and observed many rigid vows and who was ever engaged in the Agnihotra, sacrifices and austerities. She gave birth to a son, named Ashvathama, who was greatly powerful and as effulgent as the sun.
37-39. As Bharadwaja, was pleased on obtaining me, so I was pleased to getting that son. One day Ashvathama began to cry on seeing some rich men’s sons drink milk. I was so beside myself at this that I lost all knowledge of the points of heaven. “Instead of asking him who had only a few kine, just sufficient for sacrificial proposes, I shall ask him who had many,” thinking thus in my mind, O son of Ganga, I roamed over many countries.
40. Through I roved all over the country, yet I could not obtain a milch-cow and I returned unsuccessful. Thereupon some boys tempted him with Pistaudaka (water mixed with powdered rice).
41. The child, drinking the Pistaudaka cried out, “0 I have drunk milk.” O descendant of Kuru, he began to dance in joy, being thus decided by his childish ignorance.
42. Seeing him dance with joy amidst his playmates who were smiling at his simplicity, I was exceedingly touched.
43. “Fie to the poor Drona, who does not try to earn wealth! His son in the thirst for milk drinks Pistaudaka;
44. In ignorance he dances, crying “I have drunk milk.” Hearing these derisive words, I was quite beside myself!
45-47. Then reproaching myself by myself, I began to reflect thus in my mind, “Cast off and censured by Brahmanas, I would not yet, from the desire of wealth, be any body’s servant, which is ever sinful.” O Bhisma, thus resolved and remembering my former friendship for him (Drupada) I regarded myself very much blessed. I went joyfully to the Saumaka, taking my beloved son and wife me.
48. I joyfully heard that my beloved friend had been installed on the throne and remembered his words and companionship.
49. O lord, I went to Drupada remembering my old friendship and said to him “O best of men, know me as your friend.”
50. I went to Drupada confidently as a friend should do. But Drupada, laughing in derision, cast me off as if I were a vulgar fellow; and he said,
51. “O Brahmana, your intelligence is hardly of high order. As coming to me on a sudden you say are my friend.
52. O dull-minded man, great kings can never be friends with such luckless and indigent fellow like you.
53. We had friendship between us when we were both equally circumstance, but Time that wears out everything, wears out friendship also.
54. Friendship never remains in the world in any one’s heart without being worn out. Time wears it out and anger also destroys it.
55. Do not, therefore, stick to that worn-out friendship. Do not think of it any longer. O best of Brahmanas, the friendship I entertained for you was for a particular purpose.
56. The poor cannot be the friend of the rich; the unlearned can not be the friend of the learned; the coward cannot be the friend of the brave (heroes). How them do you desire the continuance of our old friendship?
57. There may be either friendship or enmity between two persons equally situated as to wealth or prowess. The poor and the rich can neither be friends nor enemies of one another.
58. One of pure birth can never be a friend of one who is lowly born; a car warrior can be a friend of one who is not a car-warrior; one who is not a king cannot have a king for his friend.
59. I do not know you, I do not remember that I ever promised you my kingdom. O Brahmana, I can give you food and shelter for one night.”
60. Having been thus addressed, I left his presence with my wife, vowing to do that which I shall certainly do without much delay.
61. O Bhisma, thus insulted by Drupada I was filled with wrath. I have come to the Kurus wishing to obtain accomplished pupils.
62. To act according to your wishes, I now come to Hastinapur. Tell me what I am to do.
Vaishampayana said: -
63. Having been thus addressed, Bhisma thus spoke to the son of Bharadwaja.
Bhisma said: -
64. Unstring your bow and teach (these prices) the science of arms. Enjoy joyfully as much as you like every luxury in the Kuru abode.
65. Whatever wealth, kingdom and sovereignty the Kurus posses, you are the lord of all. All the Kurus are at your command.
66. O Brahmana, consider that to be already accomplished which is in your heart. O best of the twice bom, as the fruit of our good luck we have obtained you.
Thus ends the hundred and thirty third chapter, the coloquy of Bhishma and Drona, in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.