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318 three Worlds. Keep it, therefore, with great care, and listen to what I say. If ever. O hero, any foe, not human, contendeth against thee, thou mayst then employ it against him for compassing his death in battle.' Pledging himself to do what he was bid, Vibhatsu then, with joined hands, received that great weapon. The preceptor then, addressing him again, said,-'None else in this world, will ever become a superior bowman to thee! Vanquished thou shalt never be by any foe, and thy achievements will be great."

Thus ends the hundred and thirty-fifth section in the Sambhava Parva of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, "O thou of Bharata's race, beholding the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu accomplished in arms, Drona. O monarch, addressed king Dhritarashtra, in the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, Valhika, the wise son of Ganga (Bhishma). Vyasa, and Vidura, and said. -'O best of Kurus kings, thy children have completed their education. With thy permission, o king, let them now show their pro. ficiency.' Hearing him, the king said with a gladdened heart-o best of Brahmanas, thou hast, indeed, accomplished a great deed. Command me thyself as to the place and the time where and when and the manner also in which the trial may be held. Grief arising from my own blindness maketh me envy those who, blessed with sight, will behold my children's prowess in arms. O Kshatri (Vidura), do all that Drona sayeth. O thou devoted to virtue, I think there is nothing that can be more agreeable to me.' Then Vidura, giving the necessary assurance to the king, went out to do what he was bid. And Drona endued with great wisdom, then measured out a piece of land that was void of trees and thickets and furnished with wells and springs. And upon the spot of land so measured out, Drona, that first of eloquent men, selecting a lunar day when the star ascendant was auspicious, offered up sacrifice unto the gods in the presence of the citizens assembled by proclamation to witness the same. And then, O bull among men, the artificers of the king built thereon a large and elegant stage according to the rules laid down in the scriptures, and it was furnished with all kinds of weapons. They also built another elegant hall for the lady-spectators. And the citizens constructed many platforms, while the wealthier of the pitched many spacious and high tents all around.