At Guru Kripacharya's ashram our initial training with weapons started last spring and now at the dawn of the new spring, we brothers and our cousins were now adept with the basic techniques and fighting skills and on how to wield different kinds of weapons such as the bow, mace, spear, sword and so on efficiently. Our lessons at the ashram used to start just after the sunrise and would go on till about evening, with breaks in between for breakfast, lunch and evening snacks. The training at the ashram along with the weapons training also included training in wide range of subjects such as veda shastras, basic training in rule of law and training on academic subjects such as arithmetic, linguistics, astronomy, history and so on.

One particular thing I observed during the time we spent at the ashram was that the anger and malice of Duryodhan seemed to subside a bit, and he was no longer behaving rudely or arrogantly with us. I would have loved so dearly, if such relationship had continued on between us and we all lived peacefully in the company of one other, but alas that was not to be.

After a while, Duryodhan even started to like our company, may be because he could see that we brothers genuinely loved our cousins and especially Vikarna, Yuyutsu and our only sister Duhshala. Also, during this time, Uncle Shakuni had to go back to his kingdom of Gandhara to quell some internal disturbances which threatened the reigning head there and he spent most of his time at Gandhara to bring order to the kingdom. May be, that too was a reason I suppose for the temporary change in the behaviour and attitude of Duryodhan, as he was not under the influence of that wicked uncle.

We all brothers pampered our little sister Duhshala very much and we did all that we could, to make her happy at all times. We never refused any of her wish, even if it sometimes involved unwillingly accompany her on the field trips to enjoy the forests with her friends group. As I already told earlier, her friends even though were very beautiful and smart but were very naughty and it was difficult to be in their company without feeling shy or embarrassed. Duhshala had four most loving brothers in Vikarna, Nakul, Sahadev, and me with whom she was most attached and could confide in confidently. May be, she connected so well with us, because we had common interests which bonded us, which was our love for music, dance and singing etc., and also more or less we were of same age group.

Time passed merrily during this time, wherein we gathered all the basic skills in wielding of weapons and also in academic subjects. But, our Pitamah Bhishm was not satisfied with this, since he set very high standards for his grand kids. He wanted his grand kids to emulate his illustrious forefathers in warrior skills, administrative skills and bring glory to the family lineage. But, in our hearts, there was no greater person to emulate, than our beloved Pitamah Bhishma. Guru Kripacharya was a very fine tutor but Pitamah Bhishma wanted more and was looking for a Guru who could make his grand kids peerless in all types of warfare. And, that opportune time knocked at the doors in quick time.

Once during a weapons training session break, we were playing a game, wherein there were two sets of teams, each team with 11 players aside, and the goal of the game was to move the ball wrapped in cotton with the stick towards the side of the other team and push the ball in the net. The game was very physically demanding but was very exhilarating, we all brothers loved it so much. During one such game, Bhim bhai smashed the ball very hard with the stick, and it zoomed past the other side's net and fell into the nearby well which was very narrow and deep. As the ball was very heavy, it immediately sunk deep into the well, since the well was having crystal clear waters, we could clearly see the ball. We all gathered around the well and not knowing what to do, were looking at the ball and passing angry glares in between towards Bhim bhai who caused all this. 

When we were thinking of what to do, we observed an elderly man with flowing white beard, and shining eyes come towards us. I don't know what happened to me at that time, but instinctively I folded my hands and paid my respects to that elderly person who in return smiled at me. He then asked us why we were all gathered around the well, when we narrated the event and our inability to pull the ball from the well, he laughed uproariously. He then asked us to introduce ourselves, when we did that, he scolded us mildly and told us that we come from a lineage where legendary warrior such as our Pitamah Bhishma comes from, so we should make him proud and learn skills that are needed to be future protectors of Aryavarth. He then asked for bow and arrows, I immediately ran towards our ashram and gave him my bow. I could see a twinkle in his eyes when he saw my bow. He then chanted some mantras and then meticulously shot arrows in succession and pierced the heavy ball which was wrapped in cotton clothing, then he pulled that frame which was created by the successive arrows shot one after the other. We all were stunned to see this amazing display of archery skills, I rushed in and hugged that elderly man as I was overwhelmed to see those skills. He gently patted my back and with a smile on his face asked me whether I would be interested to learn such skills, and I said YES immediately and asked him if he could teach me those skills now, he laughed at this and told me to first tell these events to our Pitamah Bhishma. We asked him about his name and so on, but he said those would not be needed and we just need to tell our Pitamah how the ball was pulled from the well and our Pitamah would understand who he was.

We all were very excited at this and ran back to our Pitamah's place and told him about the happenings and he immediately recognized that elderly man was none other than Dronacharya and he said his search for finding a great Guru for us is over now. He mentioned to us going forward Guru Dronacharya will be training us in all methods of warfare and we will become formidable warriors under his tutelage. That night I was scarcely able to sleep, my heart was thumping with excitement and the image of Guru Dronacharya gently patting me and smiling at me remained forever in my memory and in my heart. I will forever be indebted to my Guru Dronacharya for making me who I'm, he was like a father figure to me and always encouraged and supported me in every way. His love for me was no less than his love for his own son.