Bheem in the Serpent Realm

"Victory to Naga King Vasuki! A prince has come from the world of humans and is killing the subjects of our Naga land, Maharaj."

"Who?" Vasuki cried. "How can a human from the mortal world dare so much? He is destroying the subjects of Naga King Vasuki! Let me see him once. Gatekeeper, go quickly and bring him here."

The gatekeeper bowed and hurried away. Soon he reached Bhima and said, "Here, Prince, our king has called you. I have come as his messenger. Come with me to the royal court."

Bhima stood fearless.

"Does your king have such power that he sends for Bhima?" he said. "Well, since you say he is a king, let us go. I will see him too."

The gatekeeper brought him before Vasuki and said, "This human prince is causing great destruction to us, Maharaj. By your command, I have brought him to the royal court."

Vasuki looked closely at Bhima. Then his face changed with wonder.

"What is this! Whom do I see? Prince, you have found the way to Naga land, but have you recognized me?"

Bhima answered honestly, "I know who you are. You are Vasuki, the king of Naga land. But beyond that, I know nothing more about you."

Vasuki smiled gently.

"You are Bhima, the son of Kunti. Kunti’s father, King Kuntibhoja, was my grandson’s son. So you are the great-grandson of my grandson. I have a deep relation with you, Prince."

Bhima at once felt ashamed of the harm he had caused without knowing.

"I did not know this, Naga King. Without knowing, I have harmed many of your soldiers. Please forgive me. Please accept my full bow."

"Blessings on you, child. Live long," said Vasuki kindly. Then he turned to his attendants. "Open my treasury for this prince at once. Give him as many jewels and riches as he wants and satisfy him."

But one among the Nagas stepped forward and bowed.

"Maharaj, if you give me safety, then let me speak. Instead of giving this prince jewels and riches, let him drink the elixir. That will help him greatly. If you are truly pleased with this prince, then let us arrange for Bhima’s good health."

Vasuki nodded.

"Very well, let it be so. Take Bhima to the elixir pond."

If someone drank the divine water of the elixir pond, the strength and brightness of the body increased many times. Bhima was bathed and dressed in clean cloth, and then brought near that pond. After the proper rites and blessings were done, Bhima sat beside the pond facing east. Then in one breath he drank the liquid of that pond. In this way he drank the liquid of eight ponds one after another.

Then sleepiness came over him. The Naga servants prepared a fine bed for Bhima, and there he lay down and slept in comfort.

Days passed. Seven days went by. On the morning of the eighth day, Bhima woke up. At once he went to bow before Naga King Vasuki.

Vasuki said, "Child Bhima, by the power of that holy elixir, your body now has the strength of ten thousand elephants. No one will be able to defeat you in battle now. Bathe in the divine water and eat good food, and then return to Hastinapur. Give my loving blessings to your mother."

"As you command, Maharaj," Bhima replied.

Then the divine chariot of Naga land took Bhima back to Hastinapur.

Because Bhima had not been seen, Kunti was restless with worry. His brothers too had no peace. Bhishma and Vidura were deeply troubled with anxiety. In this condition, Bhima himself suddenly came and stood in the queen’s chambers.

In one room of that palace, his mother Kunti was sitting with her four sons, full of worry. Bhima entered and bowed.

"My respects, Mother. My respects, eldest brother."

Kunti rose in joy and disbelief.

"Bhima! Son Bhima! You, you have returned, child! You, you have come back to your mother’s lap! O God, God, you are truly kind. You have brought my Bhima back to me!"

Bhima bowed his head.

"Because of me, you had to suffer much worry, Mother. Please forgive me."

Yudhishthira asked, "Where were you all this time, Bhima? We searched the whole city and still could not find you."

Bhima then told them the truth.

"That day, in the new house of the Kauravas, the wicked Duryodhana mixed poison in the food and tried to kill me, elder brother. With my hands and feet tied, while I was unconscious and sinking in the Ganga, I reached Naga land. There, by the grace of Naga King Vasuki, I received a new life again."

Kunti trembled.

"My fear, my fear came true! I felt that some terrible danger like this had happened."

Arjuna blazed with anger.

"If something had happened to Bhima, if something had happened to Bhima! Wicked Duryodhana! I will tell Grandfather everything right now. He will give that sinner proper punishment."

But Yudhishthira, calm as always, stopped him.

"Control yourself, Arjuna. Anger destroys a person. You also be calm, Mother. By the will of the merciful Lord, Bhima has come to no harm. I think it is better not to discuss this matter openly anymore."

Arjuna still burned within.

"Forgive me, eldest brother. Are we afraid of Duryodhana? By his plot our middle brother has returned from the mouth of death. Will Duryodhana get no punishment for this?"

Bhima too spoke fiercely, his new strength alive within him.

"By the blessing of Naga King Vasuki, I alone can finish Duryodhana. I do not need anyone’s help."

Yudhishthira answered with deep wisdom.

"Ah, calm yourself, younger brother. Did I not tell you all to control your anger? This is not the right time for revenge. Yes, Duryodhana is guilty, but our fault is also not small. Being careless is the greatest mistake. From now on we must be more careful. And if we go at once to complain to Grandfather, then in the future Duryodhana or his brothers may think of some even greater plot. We will not give them that chance. Besides, quarreling with our own relatives is wrong. Instead of trying to harm others, it is wiser to increase our own strength, is it not?"

Kunti slowly agreed.

"Yes, Yudhishthira is right. It will not be right to make enemies of our relatives. That will only increase our danger. In bad times one must keep the mind awake. Let your wisdom and age become more mature first. But from now on, be very careful, child."

So Bhima became silent before Yudhishthira’s reasoning.

Thinking that Bhima was dead, Duryodhana and Dushasana had been quite happy. Along with their uncle Shakuni, they kept planning how to harm the other Pandavas too. But one day they heard the shocking news that Bhima had returned to Hastinapur alive.

Hearing this, blind with anger and fury, Duryodhana came running to Uncle Shakuni, shouting, "Uncle, how was this possible, Uncle? How did Bhima survive after the effect of such deadly poison? Or has someone tricked us by coming as Bhima in disguise?"

Shakuni quickly silenced him.

"Ah, son, son, slowly. Have you lost your mind? Why are you shouting so much about poison in Bhima’s body? If your grandfather or uncle hears this even once, do you think you will live? How can I explain it to you! Your grandfather always thinks of the good of the Pandavas. The Pandavas are dearer to him than you all. Have you still not understood this?"

"Yes, I understand. But this matter..."

"Why are you so impatient, son?" said Shakuni. "So what if one method did not work? There are many more ways at hand. To break down over a small failure is not the sign of a hero. First of all, we must think how they learned the trick of overcoming deadly poison. If we do not know the strength of our enemies, how will we destroy them? This is not the time to celebrate, but the time to think. Do you understand, Duryodhana?"

Duryodhana’s mouth was shut before Shakuni’s reasoning. So no one came to know openly about the poisoning of Bhima.

But Bhishma had heard from Vidura about Bhima’s disappearance. No matter how silent Bhima remained, no one knows what doubt stayed in Bhishma’s mind about the real reason for Bhima’s disappearance.

Meanwhile, the princes were growing older. Now they needed education. Dhritarashtra appointed family teacher Kripacharya as the teacher of the princes.

Kripacharya had a deep connection with Hastinapur. Kripa was the son of Sharadvan, a disciple of Sage Gautama, and his daughter’s name was Kripi. When Shantanu found these two children, brother and sister, he lovingly brought them to his house and raised them. Their names, Kripa and Kripi, were also given by him. Their father Sharadvan taught his son Kripa the use of weapons. Later, the five Pandavas and the Kauravas began learning weapons from this Kripa. Because he became the teacher of the princes, he was addressed as Kripacharya.

Related to this Kripacharya was Drona, the son of Sage Bharadvaja. After receiving the science of weapons from Agnivesha and Parashurama, he became the greatest archer in the world. In other weapons too, no one was as skilled as he was.

Drona’s father, Sage Bharadvaja, was a friend of King Prishata of Panchala. From childhood there was also deep friendship between Prishata’s son Drupada and Drona. Drupada learned weapons from Sage Agnivesha. Even though he had royal wealth, young Drupada considered poor Drona his closest friend. He could not stay even a moment without Drona.

One day he came searching for him.

"Drona, Drona! Where are you?"

Drona came out and said in surprise, "What is this, Drupada! Are you not a prince? Why have you come before our leaf hut? This place does not suit you."

Drupada replied warmly, "Friend, I came only to look for you. Why did you not come to our garden today? Not seeing you made the whole morning dark for me. And besides, wherever my friend is, there I will be, whether it is a royal palace or a leaf hut. Do not insult our friendship in this way, Drona."

Drona said, "Today Father sent me to beg for alms, friend. There was not a grain of food in the ashram. If I had not gone to beg, all of us would have had to fast today."

Then he added, "But Drupada, instead of coming yourself, you could have sent for me. I would have come to you."

"What are you saying, friend!" Drupada cried. "Shall I send for you? You are my friend!"

Drona still hesitated.

"You are the crown prince. After your father, you will be the king of Panchala. If people see you in front of this poor hut, society will laugh at you."

Drupada’s heart overflowed.

"Drupada, you, you are my dearest friend."

Then, moved deeply, he made a promise.

"Drona, could you say such a big thing to me? Very well, I also promise you, as long as this Drupada lives, you will never be in want. Listen, Drona, after my father I will become the king of Panchala, that is true. But the kingdom of Panchala will not be mine alone. You and I are friends with one heart. This kingdom too will belong to both of us. Half yours and half mine. See, then you will never be in want again, Drona."

Drona asked quietly, "After sitting on the throne, will you still remember these words, Drupada?"

"Of course I will, friend. Drupada never dishonors his word."

A long time passed after this event. Drupada was crowned on the throne of Panchala. And on the other side, by the order of his father Bharadvaja, Drona married. He married Kripi, the sister of Kripa, the teacher of arms at Hastinapur.

Drona had always been a devotee of Shiva, so he began severe penance to Mahadeva, hoping for a shining son as powerful as Rudra, the form of Shiva. At the end of his hard penance, Mahadeva himself gave him a boon that a son as strong as Rudra would be born in his house.

That son was Ashwatthama.

At the time of his birth, a sound was heard from the four corners of the earth. After that sound, a divine voice came from the sky:

"O Brahmin Drona, this baby son of yours is no ordinary child. Lord Rudra’s special blessing is upon him. Therefore this child has been born with a bright jewel on his forehead. This jewel will protect your son from hunger, thirst, old age, disease, sorrow, fear, gods, evil spirits, weapons, and injury. O Brahmin, name this son of yours Ashwatthama."

Just as Karna was born with earrings on his body, in the same way Ashwatthama was born with a shining jewel fixed on his forehead. Never had such a child with a jewel been born among Brahmins, Kshatriyas, ascetics, demons, or rakshasas. So poor Brahmin Drona felt both fear and pride about his son.

But life with wife, home, and child was not happy. Poverty stayed with him all his life. In that age of Dvapara, though people still had respect and devotion for sages, ordinary Brahmins did not live in comfort. The honor and power that the Brahmin class had in the Satya and Treta ages was no longer seen then.

Drona knew very well how to use weapons, but using weapons was not the work of a Brahmin. And Drona could not become part of a king’s army by accepting the duty of a Kshatriya. The honor of a Brahmin still remained in full force then. Drona was both the son of Sage Bharadvaja and the only heir to the weapon knowledge of Parashurama. Caught between these two identities, he could not even choose the life of the forest hermitage.

Meanwhile, want in the household had reached its highest limit. In this state, the insult of little Ashwatthama struck his heart the most.

One day the boy came crying.

"What happened, son? What happened? Why are you crying like this?" Drona asked.

"My playmates insulted me, Father."

"Calm down, son. Come, sit beside me. Now tell me, what did they say?"

Ashwatthama sobbed and answered, "They are all sons of rich men, Father. They were all drinking milk together. When I too asked for milk, they gave me water mixed with flour. I have never drunk milk. Thinking that white water was milk, I drank it happily. Seeing my joy, they all began clapping and laughing at me."

"What did they say?"

"They said, look at that poor Drona, whose son cannot tell the difference between milk and flour-water. A father who has not yet even shown his son what milk is, what kind of father is he! They insulted you, Father. They insulted me too."

Kripi said with pain, "You must find a milk-giving cow for Ashwatthama, husband."

Drona answered at once, "Yes, all right. Can my son not get even a little milk? From now on Ashwatthama too will drink milk like other boys. Yes, yes, yes, Kripi, I am going right now to search for a cow."

The whole day passed while searching for a milk-giving cow. In the evening Drona returned to his hut and sat in the dark with his face lowered. Hearing her husband’s footsteps, Kripi came out. In great worry she asked, "Did you find a cow, husband?"

"No, Kripi. I found no trace anywhere. I, I am only a poor Brahmin. Who will donate a cow to me, can you tell? Those good days are gone now. Now only Brahmin power and honor matter. I have neither of these. I am unable to gather even a little milk for my child. I am helpless."

Kripi comforted him.

"Do not say such things, husband. Keep faith in God. He will surely show a way. Our Ashwatthama is the boon-son of Mahadeva. Shiva himself will fulfill our wish, husband. Husband, be calm. I, I can see one path."

Drona lifted his head.

"Kripi, my childhood friend is Drupada. I will go to him. Drupada is now the king of Panchala. He had promised me that half his kingdom would be mine. I hope Drupada will not dishonor his word. Even if I get a quarter of the kingdom of Panchala, our poverty will end forever. Brahmini, tomorrow, tomorrow I will go once to Drupada’s royal court."

The next day Drona went to the court of Panchala. A guard announced him.

"Victory to the Maharaj. This Brahmin seeks your audience, Maharaj."

Drupada looked at him and said, "O Brahmin, why have you come to see the king? What gift do you want?"

Drona was shocked.

"What is this, friend! Do you not recognize me? I am Drona."

Drupada’s face became hard.

"Friend? Who is your friend? You call me friend? Such boldness! I am Drupada, king of Panchala. Brahmins like you come to me for alms. Tell me, what alms do you want?"

Drona’s heart burned, but he spoke with dignity.

"Alms? Drona never begs from anyone, Drupada. Try to remember, when you and I were learning weapons together under Sage Agnivesha, at that time you were my dearest friend. You promised that when you sat on the throne of Panchala, you would give me half your kingdom. Today I have come to receive that gift, O King. I hope you will honor your word."

Drupada laughed with cruel pride.

"I promised you? You are my friend? You will take half the kingdom? Yes, you, you must be seeing waking dreams, or else you are filled with deep sorrow. Only for these two reasons could your mind have become confused. Listen, Brahmin, I am a king. Friendship is between equals. A poor man like you can never be my friend. All your words are false. But yes, I do not send a Brahmin away empty-handed. You will receive the alms fixed for Brahmins in my court. Take that alms and leave Panchala. May I never again see such boldness as yours before me."

Drona’s eyes flashed.

"You cannot give alms to Drona, Drupada. I am leaving today. But one day I will come to claim my rightful due. Be ready for that day, King of Panchala. Be ready."

After this terrible insult from Drupada, Drona became blind with anger. But this was not the time to lose himself. It was impossible to repay this insult by his own strength alone. To teach a king a lesson, he would need a royal power of equal force. So now there was only waiting.

After becoming hated by the king of Panchala, it could be dangerous to live in his small hut in such an exposed condition. So Drona began living secretly in the house of Kripacharya, the royal teacher of Hastinapur and brother of Kripi, taking with him his wife Kripi, his son Ashwatthama, and the little wealth they had saved.

No one can know what game time and fate will play with a person. I am Sage Vedavyasa. I know the meaning of time and fate. To understand that time itself is the ruler of this world, one needs spiritual practice. Through age after age, all living beings in creation are only puppets in the hands of time. When the time comes, everything becomes possible. At a gesture of time, there remains no difference between king and beggar. Because of time, Drona’s decision to come and live in Hastinapur did not go in vain.

That day, while playing with a ball, the princes of Hastinapur had come outside the city. Suddenly the ball fell into a dry well beside the road. The princes tried hard to bring the ball out, but all their efforts failed.

There sat a Brahmin nearby. His body was very lean. His head and dress showed much neglect and dirt. That Brahmin was doing worship with full attention. Seeing no one else nearby, the princes gathered around him.

Looking at the helpless faces of the princes, the Brahmin smiled a little and said, "Are you not princes of the Bharata line? Is this your knowledge of weapons, your bravery? Look here, I am also dropping this ring from my finger into that well. Now I will show you how I can lift both your ball and my ring with blades of grass. But you must feed me well."

Yudhishthira stepped forward and said, "I am Yudhishthira, the eldest son in the gurukul. I tell you this: if our family teacher Kripacharya permits, you will certainly be given food every day. Now please show us how to lift that ball and ring."

"Very well, then watch."

The Brahmin threw a few blades of grass into the well and then fixed arrow after arrow on them. In this way he easily lifted both the ball and his ring.

"Well?" he said. "Now you understand that the work was not difficult at all, do you not?"

The princes were filled with wonder.

"My respects to you, holy Brahmin. Who are you? What is your identity?" asked Yudhishthira.

The Brahmin replied, "Prince Yudhishthira, go back to the palace and tell your grandfather in detail what you have seen with your own eyes. He himself will understand who I am."

"How wonderful! I have never seen such a deed by a Brahmin before."

"That is true indeed. I am amazed. He seems to be a great man."

The princes returned in excitement.

"Victory to the prince."

Bhishma asked, "Grandfather, what news have you brought, child Yudhishthira? What is the matter, why do you look so excited? Surely you have seen some wonderful person?"

"Yes, Grandfather. We have seen a wonderful Brahmin. By fixing blades of grass with arrows, he rescued our playing ball from a deep well. Yes, in that same way he also brought up his own ring, Grandfather."

"Well, well."

"I speak the truth, Grandfather. He showed us this impossible thing with our own eyes. I asked his identity. He said nothing himself. He only said that these words should be told to you. Grandfather, who is that holy Brahmin? Do you know him?"

Bhishma understood at once.

"Very soon all of you will be introduced to him, child. Go now. Go to your mother. Rest."

"My respects."

"Live long." Then Bhishma called, "Doorkeeper, give the order. Tell wise Vidura to come to my chamber."

"As you command."

Soon Vidura came and bowed.

"Wise one, my respects, elder father."

"Come, come, Vidura. A happy time has come for Hastinapur. There is now no more worry about the weapon training of the princes."

"But the princes are already learning from Kripacharya."

Bhishma said, "The very man from whom Kripacharya himself seeks knowledge of weapons has now come to Hastinapur. The dust of the feet of Drona, disciple of Parashurama, has fallen here. Most likely he will be found in the house of the family teacher. Bring him here to the palace with full honor, Vidura."

"As you command, elder father."

By Bhishma’s order, that very day Vidura went to the house of Kripacharya and invited Drona, the disciple of Parashurama, on behalf of Bhishma.

The next morning Drona came before Bhishma. Bhishma welcomed him with great honor. After showing him proper respect, he asked Drona the reason for coming to Hastinapur. In answer to Bhishma’s question, Drona told him all about the insult in the kingdom of Panchala. He also spoke of his sorrow that even though he was the only heir to all the secret weapon knowledge of Parashurama, today he was helpless only because of poverty.

Bhishma said with great warmth, "Great hero Drona, who says you are helpless? You are poor? From today the city of Hastinapur will be under your care. The royal family of this kingdom will be your people. Whatever wealth you desire will at once be placed in your service. I am Bhishma. I give you my word, Hastinapur will leave no fault in serving you. From today I accept you as the teacher of weapons and arms for the princes of the Kuru line. With folded hands I request you to adorn the seat of teacher to the princes."

Drona hesitated.

"You are wise and greatly learned. How can you say this? Rather, Bhishma, King Dhritarashtra himself has chosen Kripacharya as the weapon teacher of the princes. If I sit in his place now, Kripa will be displeased with me. No, no, I cannot do that. Instead, give me some wealth. Then, then I will not suffer so much. I too will go somewhere far away with my wife and son."

Bhishma answered, "Acharyadeva, this fear of yours has no cause. Kripacharya will remain the family teacher of this line just as he is now. The Kuru line will not dishonor him in any way. He will receive proper honor, respect, and offerings. And you will be the teaching master of the princes. The family teacher will have no objection to that."

"Very well," Drona said at last. "I agree to this arrangement of yours. I will give all my best knowledge to the princes of Hastinapur. I give my word."

By Bhishma’s order, Vidura brought Dronacharya to a well-decorated house full of wealth and grain. This was to be his residence. After resting there for some time, bathing, and eating, the five Pandavas with Yudhishthira and the hundred Kauravas with Duryodhana came and bowed to him. With great affection, the teacher accepted the princes as his students.

At their very first meeting, Dronacharya greeted them and said, "Listen, princes, I will teach all of you such weapon knowledge as no one has ever been able to teach anyone. But at the end of your training, you too must fulfill one desire of mine. Tell me, will you be able to do that work?"

At once Arjuna answered, "I will do it, Gurudev. Whatever you order, I will do."

Drona looked at him with joy.

"Child Arjuna, among these 105 princes, you alone have given your word. You will make your name true, child. I bless you."

Now the weapon training of the princes began. Besides the royal princes, hearing of Dronacharya, many princes from other lands also came to learn from him. Karna, the son of Adhiratha, was not left out from among Drona’s students. His son Ashwatthama was also there. Only when Ekalavya, the son of a Nishada, came to become a student, Drona, being of Brahmin birth, turned him away.

In the deep forest, Ekalavya made an image of Drona and accepted that clay image as his teacher. Before it, he began to practice archery with full devotion.

The number of Drona’s students kept growing more and more. But among this great group of students, his sharp eye remained on Arjuna. He knew that the skill and dedication of Arjuna, son of Indra, were greater than all others. So while the other students were busy proving their ability, Arjuna, through his own devotion, kept receiving all the secret weapon knowledge from his teacher.

The teachings that Dronacharya had kept specially for his own son Ashwatthama, Arjuna too learned along with the teacher’s son, showing his own intelligence and devotion. Passing one test after another, he gained one divine weapon after another. Even at night, when the other princes were deeply asleep, Arjuna alone kept practicing sound-guided aim, fixing the string to his bow in the darkness. Seeing Arjuna’s determination and focus, Acharya Drona taught him the skill of shooting by sound. Along with that, he also taught Arjuna how to fight on elephants, horses, and chariots, and how to fight after coming down to the ground.

When the princes had become quite skilled in weapons, Guru Drona decided one day to test them. That day, as soon as the morning light appeared, the princes bowed to him and stood before him.

Guru Drona said, "Children, today there will be a test of your aim. There, far away on top of that tall tree, through the gap in the leaves, you can see a blue bird. That is an artificial bird. That is your target. As soon as you receive my order, you must cut off the head of that bird with your arrow. Yudhishthira, among your brothers you are the eldest in age. You prepare first with your bow."

"As you command, Gurudev."

"Yudhishthira, can you see that bird on the tree, the trees beside it, me, and your brothers?"

"Yes, Gurudev. I can see all of these."

"It is still too early for your shot, child. Step aside. Duryodhana, tell me, what do you see?"

"Gurudev, I can see that tree, the whole body of that bird, and you, Gurudev."

"You also step aside. Bhima?"

"Gurudev, through the leaves of that tree I can see part of the bird’s body."

"No, yours will not do either. Arjuna, come, child. Prepare yourself. Now tell me, can you see that bird sitting on the tree?"

"Yes, Gurudev."

"Can you see the whole bird?"

"No, Gurudev. I can see only the bird’s head."

"Very well, then shoot, Arjuna."

As soon as he received Dronacharya’s order, Arjuna’s arrow flew and struck the bird’s neck, and its cut head fell at the feet of the Acharya.

Amazed, Guru Drona began praising him again and again. Placing his hand on Arjuna’s head, he blessed him and said, "I bless you, Arjuna. There will be no archer on this earth equal to you. You will be the greatest."

Dronacharya openly spoke the secret wish of his heart. It is true that Arjuna’s ability, skill, and devotion had no equal. But how can one limited human know the whole world? Surely the unseen ruler smiles quietly. How far can human sight reach? So how could Drona and his students know what was then happening in the deep forest near the city of Hastinapur?

That day the princes had gone out hunting. One servant of the princes went behind them carrying the hunting things, along with a hound. Happily that hound wandered all through the forest. By then it was far away from the princes.

Suddenly they heard its loud cries. No hound cries like that unless there is some danger. The princes became worried. Was there some fierce beast in the forest, or some other danger? Taking their weapons, all stood alert.

And just then the hound returned to them.

The princes were amazed to see that seven arrows had been fixed in its mouth. Yet the arrows had been shot in such a way that they did it no harm, only stopped its sound. There can be no doubt that the archer who could shoot arrows in that way must be highly skilled.

Could anyone other than Arjuna have such power?

The princes stood stunned and wondered, who is this archer?