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306 most one of Bharata's race, the Rishi, (Agnivesa) sprung from fire now communicated the knowledge of that great weapon to Drona the son of bis preceptor.

"There was a king named Prishata who was a great friend of Bharadwaja. About this time Prisha ta had a son born unto him, named Drupada. And that bull among Kshatriyas, viz., Drupada the son of Prishata, used every day to come to the hermitage of Bharadwaja to play with Drona and study in his company. O monarch, when Prisbata was dead, this Drupada of mighty arms became the king of the northern Pancbalas. About this time the illustrious Bharadwaja also ascended to heaven. Drona continuing to reside in his father's hermitage devoted himself to ascetic austerities. Having become well-versed in the Vedas and their branches and having burnt also all his sins by asceticism, the celebrated Drona, obedient to the injunctions of his father and moved by the desire of offspring married Ktipi, the daughter of Saradwat. And the daughter of Gautama, ever engaged in virtuous acts and the Agnihotra, and the austerest of penances, obtained a son named Aswatthaman. And as soon as Aswatthaman was born, he neighed like the (celestial) steed Ucchaisravas. Hearing that cry, an invisible being in the skies said, 'The voice of this child hath like the neighing of a horse, been audible all around. The child shall, therefore, be known by the name of Aswatthaman (the horse-voiced). The son of Bharadwaja (Drona) was exceedingly glad at having obtained that child. Continuing to reside in that hermitage he devoted himself to the study of the science of arms.

"O king, it was about this time that Drona heard that the illustrious Brahmana Jamadagnya, that slayer of foes, that foremost one among all wielders of weapons, versed in all kinds of knowledge, had expressed a desire of giving away all his wealth to Brahmanas. Having heard of Rama's knowledge of arms and of his celestial weapons also, Drona set his heart upon them as also upon the knowledge of morality that Rama possessed. Then Drona of mighty arms, endued with high ascetic virtues, accompanied by disciples who were all devoted to Vows and ascetic austerities, set out for the Mahendra mountains. Arrived at Mabendra, the son of Bharadwaja possessed of high ascetic merit, beheld the son of Bhrigu, the exterminator of all foes, endued with great patience and with mind under complete control. Then, approaching with his disciples that scion of the Bhrigu race, Drona, giving bim his name, told him of his birth in the line of Angiras. And touching the ground with his head, he worshipped Rama's feet. And beholding the illustrious son of Jamadagni intent upon retiring into the woods after having given away all his wealth, Drona said, -'Know