Reading Guide. The Pandavas excel as Drona's students and the jealousy of Duryodhana, King Dhritarashtra's eldest son, begins to grow. Of the five Pandavas, the eldest, Yudhishthria, followed by Bhima and then Arjuna, are the most important for you to get to know. The twins Nakula and Sahadeva also have personalities and stories of their own, but the most important Pandavas to focus on are Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna.
Image: This dramatic statue of Arjuna is in Ubud, Bali (in Indonesia). The story of the Mahabharata is famous throughout southeast Asia, including Indonesia. You can see the article in the Indonesian Wikipedia here if you are curious: Baratayuda.
Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). [300 words]
In time he reached the city of Hastinapura, and Bhishma bade him welcome. When Drona undertook the training of the princes he said, "I will do as is thy desire, O Bhishma, but on condition that when the young men are become complete warriors they will help me to fight against mine enemy, Drupada, the Rajah of Panchala."
Bhishma gave willing consent to this condition. Thereafter Drona abode with his wife in the royal palace, and his son Ashwatthaman was trained with the Pandavas and Kauravas. He became the family priest as well as the instructor of the princes. And before long the young men were accomplished warriors, and deeply learned in wisdom and in goodness.
Drona took most delight in the Pandavas. Yudhishthira was trained as a spearman, but he was more renowned as a scholar than for feats of arms. Arjuna surpassed all others in warrior skill; he was of noble bearing, and none like him could ride the steed, guide the elephant, or drive the rattling chariot, nor could any other prince withstand his battle charge or oppose him in single combat. He was unequalled with javelin or dart, with battleaxe or mace, and he became the most famous archer of his day. Strong Bhima learned to wield the club, Nakula acquired the secret of taming steeds, and Sahadeva became a mighty swordsman, and acquired great knowledge of astronomy.
Drona trained the Kauravas with diligence also, as well as his own son, who was wise and brave, but among all his pupils he loved Arjuna best, for he was the most modest and the most perfect, the most fearless, and yet the most obedient to his preceptor.
Duryodhana of the Kauravas was jealous of all the Pandavas, and especially of Arjuna.
Arjuna (Bali, Indonesia)
