Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

The Entry of Kamaof the thunderstorm, introduced Arjuna, the most belovedof his pupils.The royal KuntI, mother of the Pandavas,was transported with delight at the acclamation which shenow saw her son receive, and not until it had died downa little could he begin to display his skill in arms. Butsuch were the power and lightness of Arjuna that it seemedas if with one weapon he created fire, with another water,with a third mountains, and as if with a fourth all thesewere made to disappear. Now he appearedtall and againshort. Now he appeared fighting with sword or mace,standing on the pole or the yoke of his chariot; then in aflash he would be seen on the car itself, and in yet anotherinstant he was fighting on the field. And with his arrowshe hit all kinds of marks. Now, as ifby a single shot, helet flyfive arrows into the mouth of a revolving iron boar.Again he discharged twenty-one arrows into the hollow ofa cow s horn swaying to and fro from the rope on which ithung. Thus he showed his skill in the use of sword,bow, and mace, walking about the lists in circles.The Entry of KamaJust as Arjuna s display was ending a greatnoise washeard in the direction of the gate, as if some new combatant were about to make his waywhole assembly turned as one man, and Duryodhana withinto the lists. Thehis hundred brothers rose hastily and stood with upliftedweapons, while Drona stood in the midst of the fivePandava princes like the moon in a five-starred constellation.Then, the centre of all eyes, the hero Kama entered,magnificent in arms and manhood. And far away in thegallery of queens the royal KuntI trembled to see againthe son whom she had long ago abandoned, fearing toi129