Chapter 6: Childhood of the Princes — Rivalry Begins
In the halls of Hastinapura, laughter and youthful footsteps echoed once more.
The Pandavas, strong and radiant with divine grace, returned from the forest with Pandu's ashes carried in solemn reverence. Under Bhishma's guardianship, they entered the royal household, where the Kauravas already dwelled, fierce and proud.
Thus, in the gardens and training grounds of the Kuru palace, destiny placed its seeds — side by side, yet divided by spirit.
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The First Signs of Rivalry
Among the young princes, Duryodhana, firstborn of Gandhari, bore a heart restless and proud.
He watched Bhima, whose mighty arms lifted stone pillars as if they were toys, and envy burned within him like a secret flame.
Bhima, playful and fearless, often teased the Kauravas, wrestling them to the ground with laughter. But childish sport soon sowed bitterness.
Duryodhana spoke in hushed whispers to his brothers:
> "How shall we rule if we bow to strength not our own?
Bhima must be humbled."
Thus began the first silent stirrings of hatred.
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Bhishma: The Guardian of the Throne
Bhishma, whose vow had shaped the kingdom, stood like a mountain of duty over the princes. His voice was deep as thunder, his presence solemn as truth.
To them he said:
> "You are branches of the same tree.
Let not pride sever what fate has bound."
But fate, though guided by wisdom, does not turn from its path.
The tree he spoke of already carried storm within its roots.
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The Injured Child — Poison in Brotherhood
One evening, during a feast in the royal gardens, Duryodhana offered Bhima a drink.
It was sweet as nectar — but laced with poison, dark and merciless.
Bhima drank without suspicion.
Soon his limbs grew heavy, his sight blurred, and he fell into slumber.
Carried by conspirators, he was cast into the waters of the Ganges, his body sinking into the silent depths. Serpents coiled around him — but their venom could not harm him, for Bhima was born of Vayu, the wind-god. Instead, their poison burned away the human weakness in his veins, gifting him strength unmatched.
Awakening beneath the river's surface, Bhima burst forth like thunder rising from the earth.
He returned to Hastinapura, his eyes aflame — and the palace trembled.
Kunti wept in terror.
Duryodhana's heart shook, yet his pride held firm.
Bhishma looked upon the gathered princes with sorrow deep as oceans.
> "Thus begins the path of darkness,"
he whispered to himself,
"and the earth shivers at what is to come."
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Dronacharya Arrives
As the princes grew, the time came for discipline and mastery.
A lone figure approached Hastinapura — robes simple and voice stern, yet bearing the aura of past glory.
He was Dronacharya, son of sage Bharadwaja, wielder of unmatched knowledge in arms and divine astras. Life had given him both pride and poverty, and fate guided his steps to the Kuru gates.
Bhishma welcomed him with honor.
> "Teach these children," he commanded,
"for in their hands lies the future of Bharat."
And so Drona became guru to both Pandavas and Kauravas.
Under his gaze, rivalry sharpened like steel on stone.
Arjuna, disciplined and humble, shone like the rising sun —
his arrows swift as lightning, his focus deep as meditation.
Drona, seeing his brilliance, whispered:
> "Among all disciples, Arjuna shall be supreme."
Duryodhana's fists clenched.
Envy tightened its grip once more.
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The Path of Fate Narrows
Thus began the age of learning — and silently, the shaping of war.
The Pandavas and Kauravas walked one path, yet their hearts diverged like rivers torn apart by mountains.
In the palace of Hastinapura, smiles hid storms.
In the quiet halls, the gods watched in stillness.
For destiny, patient and unbreaking, knew what mortals did not yet see:
The drums of Kurukshetra had begun to beat — faint, distant, but unstoppable.