skies said, 'The voice of this child, hath, like the neighing of a horse, been audible all around. The child shall, therefore, be known by the name of Aswathama (the horse-voiced).' And the son of Bharadwaja (Drona) was exceedingly glad at having obtained that child. And continuing to reside in that hermitage he devoted himself to the study of the science of arms.
"O king, it was about this time that Drona heard that the illustrious Brahmana Jamadagnya, the slayer of all foes, the foremost of all wielders of weapons versed in all kinds of knowledge, had expressed his desire of distributing in gifts all his wealth among Brahmanas. Having heard of Rama's knowledge of arms and of his celestial weapons also, Drona set his heart upon them as also upon the knowledge of morality that Rama possessed. Then Drona of mighty arms and endued with high ascetic virtues, accompanied by disciples who were all devoted to vows and ascetic austerities, set out for the Mahendra mountains. Arrived at Mahendra, the son of Bharadwaja possessed of high ascetic merit, beheld the son of Bhrigu, that exterminator of all foes endued with great patience and with mind under complete control. Then, approaching with his disciples that scion of the Bhrigu race, Drona giving him his name told him of his birth in the line of Angira. And touching the ground with his head, he worshipped Rama's feet. And beholding the illustrious son of Jamadagni intent upon retiring into the woods after having given away all his wealth, Drona said, 'Know me to have sprung from Bharadwaja, but not in any woman's womb! I am a Brahmana of high birth, Drona by name, come to thee with the desire of obtaining thy wealth!'
"On hearing him, that illustrious grinder of the Kshatriya race replied, 'Thou art welcome, O best of Dwijas! Tell me what thou desirest.' Thus addressed by Rama, the son of Bharadawja replied unto that foremost of all smiters desirous of giving away the whole of his wealth, 'O thou of multifarious vows, I am a candidate for thy eternal wealth.' 'O thou of ascetic wealth,' returned Rama, 'My gold and whatever other wealth I had, have all been given away unto Brahmanas,
