' The princes then saying, 'So be it,' repaired unto
Bhishma and telling him of the purport of that Brahmana's speech, related
everything about his (extraordinary) feat. Hearing everything from the
princes, Bhishma at once understood that the Brahmana was none else than
Drona, and thinking that he would make the best preceptor for the princes,
went in person unto him and welcoming him respectfully, brought him over
to the place. Then Bhishma, that foremost of all wielders of arms,
adroitly asked him the cause of his arrival at Hastinapura. Asked by him,
Drona represented everything as it had happened, saying, 'O sir, in times
past I went to the great Rishi Agnivesa for obtaining from him his weapons,
desirous also of learning the science of arms. Devoted to the service of
my preceptor, I lived with him for many years in the humble guise of a
Brahmacharin, with matted locks on my head. At that time, actuated by the
same motives, the prince of Panchala, the mighty Yajnasena, also lived in
the same asylum. He became my friend, always seeking my welfare. I liked
him much. Indeed, we lived together for many, many years. O thou of Kuru's
race, from our earliest years we had studied together and, indeed, he was
my friend from boyhood, always speaking and doing what was agreeable to me.
For gratifying me, O Bhishma, he used to tell me, 'O Drona, I am the
favourite child of my illustrious father. When the king installeth me as
monarch of the Panchalas, the kingdom shall be thine.
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