Arjuna or Ashwatthama, Who was Superior?
Training of the Pandava and Kaurava princes under Dronacharya was going on. As part of their daily routine, Dronacharya would send all his students to the river to fetch water. In doing so, he implemented a clever plan.
To his son, Ashwatthama, he gave a kumbha, a pot with a wide mouth that could be filled almost instantly. To all the other disciples, including Arjuna, he gave a kamandalu, a traditional water vessel with a very narrow opening, which filled up very slowly.
Arjuna, being exceptionally sharp, immediately understood Drona's strategy. He realized the different pots were a way to intentionally delay him and the other princes, creating a window of time for Drona to give Ashwatthama private, advanced lessons.
Refusing to be left behind, Arjuna used his knowledge of celestial weapons. He invoked the Varunastra, the astra of the water god, to magically and instantly fill his narrow-mouthed kamandalu.
As a result, Arjuna consistently returned from the river at the exact same time as Ashwatthama, day after day. This completely negated Drona's plan and ensured that Arjuna was always present for the special techniques Drona had intended only for his son.
Why Drona Did This
Drona's actions were driven by a very human and understandable motivation: paternal love and ambition for his son.
To Give His Son an Advantage: Drona's primary goal was to ensure his own son, Ashwatthama, became the most skilled and powerful warrior. He wanted to give him a secret edge over all the princes by teaching him special, advanced techniques that the others would not know.
Securing a Legacy: As a father, Drona hoped Ashwatthama would inherit his legacy and be recognized as the greatest warrior of his generation. The private lessons were a way to secure this future for his son.
While Drona was a dedicated and largely impartial teacher, this act reveals his inherent bias as a parent. He was willing to create an unfair system to favor his son. Ironically, this very plan had the unintended consequence of showcasing Arjuna's superior intelligence, resourcefulness, and unyielding dedication, proving that true talent could not be held back by simple tricks.
English
Mahabharatam
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