Meanwhile, the dog also, in wandering alone in the woods,
came upon the Nishada prince (Ekalavya). And beholding the Nishada of dark
hue, of body besmeared with filth, dressed in black and bearing matted
locks on head, the dog began to bark aloud.
"Thereupon the Nishada prince, desirous of exhibiting his lightness of
hand, sent seven arrows into its mouth (before it could shut it). The dog,
thus pierced with seven arrows, came back to the Pandavas. Those heroes,
who beheld that sight, were filled with wonder, and, ashamed of their own
skill, began to praise the lightness of hand and precision of aim by
auricular precision (exhibited by the unknown archer). And they thereupon
began to seek in those woods for the unknown dweller therein that had
shown 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 totally a stranger to them, they asked,
'Who art thou and whose son?' Thus questioned, the man replied, 'Ye heroes,
I am the son of Hiranyadhanus, king of the Nishadas. Know me also for a
pupil of Drona, labouring for the mastery 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. Arjuna, in particular, thinking all the while,
O king, 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.
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