besmeared with filth, dressed in black, and bearing matted locks on head, the dog began bark to aloud.
"Thereupon the Nishada prince, desirous of exhibiting his lightness of hand, struck seven arrows into its mouth (before it could shut it). And the dog thus pierced with seven arrows came back to the Pandavas. And those heroes, beholding that sight, were filled with wonder. And ashamed of their own skill, they began to praise the lightness of hand and precision of aim by auricular perception (exhibited by the unknown archer). And they thereupon began to seek in those woods for the unknown dweller thereof (who showed such skill). And, O king, the Pandavas soon found out the object of their search ceaselessly discharging arrows from the bow. And beholding that man of grim visage, who was a total stranger to them, they asked, 'Who art thou and whose son?' Thus questioned, the man replied, 'Ye heroes, I am the son of Hiranya-dhanu king of the Nishadas. Know me also for a pupil of Drona, labouring for the acquisition of the art of arms.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "The Pandavas then, having made themselves acquainted with everything connected with him, returned (to the city), and going unto Drona, told him of that wonderful feat of archery which they had witnessed in the woods. But Arjuna, however, in particular, thinking all the while, O king, of Ekalavya, saw Drona in private and relying upon his preceptor's affection for him, said, 'Thou hadst lovingly told me, clasping me to thy bosom, that no pupil of thine should be equal to me. Why then is there a pupil of thine, viz, the mighty son of the Nishada king, superior to me?'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words, Drona reflected for a moment, and resolving upon the course of action he should follow, took Arjuna with him and went unto the Nishada prince. And he beheld Ekalavya with body besmeared with filth, matted locks {on head), clad in rags, bearing a bow in hand and ceaselessly shooting arrows therefrom. And when Ekalavya saw Drona approaching towards him, wending a few steps forward, he touched his feet and prostrated himself on the ground. And the son of the Nishada king
