Section 4: Education of the Princes and the Rise of Arjuna and Karṇa
As the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Pāṇḍu grew into youth, their training in the arts of warfare, governance, and spiritual discipline began in earnest. To guide them, Bhīṣma appointed Droṇācārya, a master of military science and weaponry, revered for his unmatched skill with divine weapons. Alongside him stood Kṛpācārya, another wise teacher of the Kurus. Together, they shaped the destinies of these princes, instilling in them the skills needed to rule and protect their kingdom.
Droṇa, though stern, was deeply dedicated to his disciples. He gave equal attention to both the Kauravas and the Pāṇḍavas, but it quickly became evident that Arjuna was his most gifted pupil. Arjuna displayed unmatched focus, discipline, and natural skill in archery. His ability to concentrate on a single target, symbolized in the famous story where he alone focused on the eye of a wooden bird during practice, set him apart from his peers. Droṇa promised to make Arjuna the greatest archer of his time, and Arjuna fulfilled that promise through relentless practice and devotion.
Bhīma excelled in physical strength, often overpowering all opponents, while Yudhiṣṭhira became known for his calm wisdom, mastery of the spear, and unshakable sense of righteousness. The twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, though less prominent in combat, became renowned for their mastery over swordsmanship, horse-keeping, healing, and knowledge of the stars. Among the Kauravas, Duryodhana became an expert with the mace, second only to Bhīma, and his brother Duḥśāsana assisted him loyally.
Yet, jealousy brewed. Duryodhana resented Droṇa's favoritism toward Arjuna and the natural superiority of the Pāṇḍavas. This jealousy turned into open hostility when Karṇa entered the scene. Karṇa, born secretly to Kuntī before her marriage through the same boon that later gave her the Pāṇḍavas, was abandoned at birth and raised by a charioteer and his wife. Gifted with divine armor and earrings from birth, Karṇa grew up with extraordinary strength and skill, but he longed for recognition.
During a public display of martial prowess, Karṇa challenged Arjuna, matching him blow for blow with his mastery of archery. The crowd was astonished, and for the first time Arjuna met a true rival. Yet, because Karṇa was believed to be of low birth, he was mocked and denied the right to compete as an equal. Duryodhana, seizing this opportunity, befriended Karṇa and crowned him king of Aṅga, granting him honor and status. From that day forward, Karṇa became Duryodhana's closest ally, bound by loyalty and gratitude, and an eternal enemy of the Pāṇḍavas.
Thus, under the watchful eyes of their teachers, the princes grew into formidable warriors. But beneath the surface, envy, rivalry, and destiny were hardening into the foundations of an inevitable conflict.