worshipping Drona, duly represented himself as his pupil, and clasping his hands in reverence, stood before him (awaiting his commands). Then Drona, O king, addressed Ekalavya, saying, 'If, O hero, thou art really my pupil, give me then my fee.' Hearing these words, Ekalavya was very much gratified, and said in reply, 'O illustrious preceptor, what shall I give? Command me; for there is nothing, O thou foremost of all conversant with the Vedas, which I may not give unto my preceptor.' Drona answered, 'O Ekalavya, if thou art really intent on making me a gift, I should like then to have the thumb of thy right hand."
Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these cruel words of Drona, who had asked of him his thumb as tuition-fee, Ekalavya, ever devoted to truth and desirous also of keeping his promise, with a cheerful face and an unafflicted heart, cut off without ado his thumb, and gave it unto Drona. After this, when the Nishada prince began once more to shoot with the help of his remaining fingers, he found, O king, that he had lost his former lightness of hand. And Arjuna at this became happy, the fever (of jealousy) having left him.
"Two of Drona's pupils became very much accomplished in the use of the mace. These were Duryodhana and Bhima, who were, however, always jealous of each other. Aswathama excelled everyone in the mysteries of the (science of arms). The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) excelled everybody in handling the sword. Yudish-thira excelled everybody as a charioteer. Arjuna, however, excelled everyone in every respect; surpassing everyone in intelligence, resourcefulness, strength, and perseverance. Accomplished in all weapons, Arjuna became the foremest of even the feremost of charioteers; and his fame spread all over the earth to the verge of the sea. And although the instruction had been equal, yet the mighty Arjuna excelled all (the princes) in lightness of hand. Indeed, in weapons as in devotion to his preceptor, he became the first of them all. And amongst all the princes, Arjuna alone became an Atiratha (a charioteer capable of fighting at one time with sixty thousand foes). And the wicked sons of Dhrita-rashtra, beholding Bhima-sena endued
