Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A-Z April Challenge 2015: A for ARJUNA’S FOCUS

A for Arjuna (with Drona)
Google Images
Drona was out early in the morning with all his students. Excitement was rife as they were set to enter an archery contest that their teacher had planned for them. Duryodhana was clear that this was one opportunity that he did not plan to miss to outwit the third Pandava. He was quite sick of the way their teacher played favouritism with Arjuna. He waited along with his brothers and cousins, impatient for the contest to begin.

Yudhisthira came forward to take up the challenge. Drona pointed to a wooden bird that he had placed on the highest branch of a tree and asked the eldest Pandava Prince what he was able to see. “I can see the sun’s rays falling on the bird Acharya. The bird is partly hidden amidst the branches.” Saying this, Yudhisthira let go of his arrow that went and pierced the branch next to where sat the bird, quite unharmed.

The Kauravas laughed even as the four Pandavas commiserated with their eldest brother. Next, it was Duryodhana’s turn. He was prancing about in nervous excitement, overconfident of winning. Even before Drona could explain what was required, he said, “You want me to hit the bird, right? Just watch me do just that.” His arrow pierced the main trunk that was about two feet away from the wooden bird. He walked away in a temper, refusing to look at his smirking cousins in the eye.

After a couple of more tries by Bheema and Dushashana, it was Arjuna’s turn – the teacher’s favourite. Arjuna walked forward to stand next to Drona. “What do you see, my son?” asked Drona. 

“A black eye,” replied Arjuna. He did not hear the Kauravas’ laughter. Duryodhana and his brothers spoke among themselves, wondering what kind of a fool was the third Pandava. Couldn’t he see the bird? They were sure he was going to fail the test. 

A proud Drona gestured for Arjuna to release his arrow. Standing there majestically with his feet apart, the right one a few inches ahead, Arjuna’s head was raised to the skies, his eyes focussed completely on the wooden bird’s eye. His hands were steady as he strung his bow and held it at the ready, the tip of his arrow shining in the morning light. Uttering a short mantra, Arjuna released his arrow that landed exactly in the spot suggested by his teacher – in the bird’s eye. 





Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015


Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur Uppal
I Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh
The Multicolored Diary by Zalka Csenge Virág

36 comments:

  1. I'm not familiar with most of the Indian mythologies, though I've heard of some. It's really interesting to catch a glimpse of it like this.

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    1. I am so glad yo give you some glimpses into Indian mythology Devika. Hope you enjoy them :)

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  2. Super start! Expect many more interesting mythological stories!!

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  3. Arjuna's focus is legendary and the one that teaches us to have an eye on the bird's eye, always! :)

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  4. Loved reading this tale. It is a favorite one of mine.

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  5. I love mythology and I'm excited to see what more you have in store for the rest of the month.

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  6. Mythological tales always interest me...Grt choice and loved the story. :)
    Happy writing!

    Here is my A to Z post: http://www.njkinnysblog.com/2015/04/atozchallenge-for-akbar-birbal.html

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  7. Love mythology, would come back for the next dose :)

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  8. Love it :) I love archery stories, and I love hero stories. This one is both! Great start!

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
    MopDog - The crazy thing about Hungarians...

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  9. Interesting post! I'm not familiar with Indian mythologies. That's what I love about A to Z. So much to learn.

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  10. Good one to begin with. Looking for more mythology dose. On a different note always wondered how Arjuna kept his ears focused to hear Drona's question but his eye were seeing only the bird's eye ... :)

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  11. Thank you so much Robyn King for visiting my blog and posting a comment :)

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  12. Thank you Nikita Johri. Will surely check your post :)

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  13. Thank you Ruchi! And you are welcome :)

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  14. Thank you Tarkabarka Holgy. I am glad you liked my little story :)

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  15. So true Stephen Tremp. Thank you for visiting :)

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  16. Thank you for visiting Jayanthi Gopal. May be because hearing and sight function independent of each other? That's what I think :)

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  17. You chose the mighty Arjun as your starting point Sundari. Now how can that go wrong when you have already declared that your focus is as sharp as him :D

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  18. The story puts a different spin on the tale, love how you play with the words! Thanks for the mention Sundari!! You are a rockstar.

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  19. Thank you for this story. I'll have to come back and read some more as I enjoyed this one!

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  20. Thank you Inderpreet! I am glad you liked my story :)

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  21. Thank you Corina! I am glad you liked my story. You are welcome! :)

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  22. A very interesting stories. It is nice learning about different cultures stories and myths.

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  23. who better than Arjuna to begin the Challenge with!! great tale..and though I have read this before, it was great to read the retelling!

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  24. Thank you for stopping by Sheena-kay. What you are saying is so true :)

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  25. No matter how many times I read this, I love this story :)

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  26. I agree Swathi! It was my mother who told us this story - so many times about how focussed Arjuna was :)

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  27. From my favourites scripture!! :) Sorry for the delay in visiting.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Prathima Rao. I am glad you finally arrived :D

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