Did Arjuna become the best archer because of his efforts and hard work or due to the advantage that he’s the son of Indra?

Did Arjuna become the best archer because of his efforts and hard work or due to the advantage that he’s the son of Indra? The training of Arjuna was one of the most precious gem of Mahabharata. Read the following examples. Example - 1 Among the all students of Drona only Arjuna promised to give Drona anything without knowing the task - “O king! With all kinds of riches, he handed over his grandsons as disciples to Drona, in accordance with the prescribed manner. Delighted, that great archer accepted the Kouravas as his disciples. Having accepted them, Drona called all of them together and told them privately, when they were seated at his feet, “O unblemished ones! There is a special task in my heart. You must promise me that you will give it to me when you have become skilled in the use of arms.” O lord! When they heard him, the Kouravas remained silent. But Arjuna, the scorcher of enemies, gave him a complete promise and he then inhaled the scent of Arjuna’s forehead repeatedly, embracing him delightedly and shedding tears of joy.” Reference - “Section Seven Sambhava Parva, The Mahabharata translated by bibek Debroy ” Example - 2 Arjuna learnt to shoot in night by himself although Drona tried to do the opposite by asking cook not to give food to Arjuna in night. “Vaishampayana said, ‘Arjuna took a great deal of care in worshipping his preceptor and showed the greatest devotion in learning the art of weapons. He became a great favourite of Drona’s. Drona summoned the cook and told him secretly, “Never give Arjuna any food when it is dark.” One day, when Arjuna was eating, a wind arose and blew out the lamp and its light. Arjuna continued to eat in the dark, his hand moving to his mouth from force of habit. The Pandava then began to practise in the night. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Drona heard the twang of his bowstring and came to him and embraced him. He said, “I promise you that I will do my utmost to ensure that you are the best archer in this world and there is no one equal to you.” Then Drona taught Arjuna the art of fighting from horses, elephants, chariots and on the ground. Drona taught the Pandava how to fight in narrow confines345 with clubs, swords, spears, javelins and lances. On witnessing his skills, thousands of kings and princes assembled to learn the science of Dhanur Veda.” Reference - “Section Seven Sambhava Parva, The Mahabharata translated by bibek Debroy ” This phrase clearly shows Arjuna took great care in worshipping preceptor and showed greatest devotion in learning the art of weapons. It also showed unlike others Arjuna was a natural learner of the art of weapons. In fact it was because of Arjuna that many students from other state came to Drona for learning Dhanurveda. So Arjuna made a significant contribution in making Drona a famous teacher among the Khsatriyas. Drona on other hand did promised that he would strived to make Arjuna the best. Mahabharata no where showed Drona did any thing out of partiality to ‘make’ Arjuna great. In fact the promise that Drona made was mostly out of his gratitude for a student who promised to give any thing to Drona and was preparing himself with utmost capacity to keep the promise as Drona saw Arjuna as instrument of avenging his insult and capturing Drupada. The more he saw Arjuna growing in stature, the more he was convinced the his purpose of giving training to Kurus was achieved. It was in that mind that Drona made the promise to Arjuna. Two things Drona did during the training - Asking thumb in form of Guru Dakshina from Ekalavya. One of the reason could be to keep his own promise to Arjuna. Refusing to teach Brahmastra to Karna. It was categorically stated that Drona was partial to Arjuna and he was aware about Karna’s wickedness. Apart from above this Drona did nothing much which could categorically prove he was partial towards Arjuna as clearly stated that Arjuna exceled even though instruction was same for all. Later in fact Arjuna had to visit heaven to get all divine weapons from Gods. On the other hand out of gratitude Drona always stayed in hastinapura, remained silent during the dice game and fought for Duryodhana in Virata and Kurushetra war, involved in killing Abhimanyu, tried to capture Yudhisthira and gave Brahma Kavacha to Duryodhana so that he could fight Arjuna. Later he used even Brahmastra against Arjuna, Yudhsithira, Panchalas. Example - 3 The following phrase clearly shows Arjuna got the same instruction like other students of Drona. Arjuna showed highest devotion to preceptor and highest devotion in learning weapons both. “‘Among all the Kurus who were Drona’s students, two became particularly skilled in fighting with clubs—Duryodhana and Bhima. Ashvatthama excelled in the use of all secret weapons. The twins were better than all other men in the use of the sword. Yudhishthira was supreme in fighting with chariots. However, Dhananjaya349 was the best in fighting with every weapon. The Pandava was famous on earth, right up to the frontiers of the ocean, for his intelligence, perseverance, strength and enterprise in all weapons. He was thus the foremost among all warriors. Arjuna was special, not just in his knowledge of weapons, but also in his devotion to his preceptor, though the instructions were the same for everyone. Alone among all the princes, Arjuna became an atiratha.350 O lord of men! Dhritarashtra’s evil-souled sons could not stand Bhimasena’s great strength and Arjuna’s great skill and hated them. Reference - “Section Seven Sambhava Parva, The Mahabharata translated by bibek Debroy ” Example - 4 Arjuna was a natural learner and that was proven when Drona conducted the test of Bird. He also proved his natural ability to concentrate and focus through the above test. If the answers were known then every body would have answered the same. “‘Smilingly, Drona then summoned Dhananjaya. “This target is for you to shoot down. Listen. As soon as I ask you to, you must shoot. O son! Stand here for a moment, with your bow taut.” Thus addressed, Savyasachi drew his bow into a semicircle, aimed at the target and stood there, as his preceptor had instructed. After a while, Drona asked him in the same way. “O Arjuna! Do you see the bird seated there? Do you see the tree? Do you see me?” Arjuna replied, “I can only see the bird. I cannot see the tree. Nor can I see you.” Pleased, the invincible Drona waited again for a moment. Then he again addressed the Pandava, bull among warriors. “If you can see the bird, describe it to me.” Arjuna replied, “I can only see the bird’s head. I cannot see its body.” At Arjuna’s words, Drona was delighted and his hair stood up. He told Partha, “Shoot,” and he let the arrow go. The Pandava sliced off the head of the bird on the tree with his sharp arrow and brought it down on the ground. When Phalguna352 succeeded in this task, Drona embraced him and deduced that Drupada and his relatives had already been vanquished in battle.” Reference - “Section Seven Sambhava Parva, The Mahabharata translated by bibek Debroy ” The test was conducted by Drona and therefore he knew the right answer of the question that he posed to his student. The point is therefore not that who knew the answer or not. Because after the test everyone would have learnt the lesson and came to know about the answer. The point here the natural ability to focus without being guided. Vyas didn’t mention about any such test conducted for Drona, Bhishma and Karna. Vyas only mentioned who taught them. To me the mention of the test in case of Arjuna and “omission” of any such test in case of learning of Bhishma, Drona and Karna only proves that although they were good student, they were just guided unlike the case of Arjuna who improved himself on his own. For Karna the following thing was mention - “O Partha! There was a person who was knowledgeable about the brahman and who performed the aghnihotra sacrifice every day. Unwittingly, he killed his homadhenu.13 Having unwittingly performed this deed, Karna went and repeatedly told the brahmana, so that he might be pacified, ‘O illustrious one! I have unwittingly killed your cow. Please show me your favours.’ However, the brahmana censured him and angrily spoke these words, ‘O wicked one! O evil-minded one! You should be killed. Therefore, reap this fruit. You have always sought to rival someone14 and you have been striving against him every day. Because of this crime, when you are fighting with him, the earth will swallow up the wheel of your chariot. O worst of men! When you clash against your foe and are distracted because the wheel of your chariot has been devoured by the earth, he will exhibit his valour and sever your head. O stupid one! Leave this place. Just as you were distracted when you acted against me, another person will sever and bring down your head while you are distracted.” People expresses with sympathy with Karna for unwittingly killing the cow and then expressing the regret, but here the bramhin highlights few fact about Karna - That Karna always tried to rival some one and striving against him every day. It shows Karna’s intent of learning was not a natural desire of mastering the subject rather to defeat some one else. It’s an example of unhealthy competition. Think a person striving against some one while the other one was not. The reason why Karna ended up killing cow. The reason was destruction. In philosophical terms of the curse of Bramhin, Distracted Karna killed the cow and he would die in hand of his enemy when distracted. Distraction would ultimately cause his death in his fight against his arch enemy. Distraction was part of Karna’s characteristics. It is completely opposite of Arjuna who showed ability keep focus in numerous tests. Arjuna lost almost every thing in his fight against Shiva but didn’t lost the focus from his goal and kept fighting. Example - 5 Arjuna proves his swiftness through the test conducted by Drona where Arjuna killed a crocodile which attacked Drona. He acted in swiftness even before Drona completed his statement. “‘O bull among the Bharata lineage! A few days later, the best of those of the Angirasa lineage went with his students to the Ganga to bathe. When Drona entered the water, a powerful crocodile grabbed him by the thigh, as if sent by destiny itself. Though quite capable of saving himself, Drona told his students, “Kill the crocodile and quickly save me.” Even before he had finished speaking, Bibhatsu353 let loose five sharp arrows that killed the crocodile under the water. The others were still standing around, looking confused. On seeing the Pandava’s swiftness in action, Drona was extremely pleased and decided that he was the best of his students. The crocodile was chopped into many pieces through Partha’s arrows. It let go of the great-souled one’s thigh and returned to the five elements. Bharadvaja’s son told the great-souled maharatha, “O mighty armed one! Receive this invincible and supreme weapon, named brahmashira, with the knowledge of releasing it and withdrawing it. You must never use it against human beings. If it is used against an enemy whose energy is inferior, it will burn up the entire universe. O son! It is said that there is nothing superior to this weapon in the three worlds. Therefore, preserve it carefully and listen to my words. O brave one! If a superhuman enemy ever fights with you, use this weapon to kill him in battle.” With joined hands, Bibhatsu promised that he would do as he had been asked and received the supreme weapon.” Reference - “Section Seven Sambhava Parva, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy ” It was after this test that Drona decided that Arjuna was worthy of receiving “Brahmastra”. Arjuna didn’t asked for it. He won through his devotion and smart work :). Karna other hand himself went ‘secretly’ to Drona and asked Brahmastra so that he could compete against Arjuna - “He saw that Dhananjaya was superior to everyone in learning about dhanurveda. Karna secretly went to Drona and spoke these words. ‘I wish to know about brahmastra and the secrets of releasing and withdrawing it. It is my view that I should become Arjuna’s equal in battle. It is certain that the affection you bear towards your disciples is equal to what you bear towards your son. Because of your favours, make me accomplished and skilled in the use of weapons.’ Drona was partial towards Phalguna. He also knew about Karna’s wickedness. Having been thus addressed by Karna, he replied, ‘The brahmastra can only be known by a brahmana who is observant of the vows, or by a kshatriya who has performed austerities, and by no one else.’” Reference - “Section Eighty-four Raja Dharma Parva, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy ” Clearly Karna was not devoted to Drona. Rather he chose to meet him in person secretly and asked for Brahmastra so that he could use it against Arjuna. His justification was rather on Guru that Guru should treat all students (irrespective of merit, devotion and intent of usage) as his equal and therefore give them Brahmastra. Reference - “Section Eighty-four Raja Dharma Parva, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy ” We know that Drona received “Brahmastra” from Parashurama in form of charity. We have no information on what basis Parashurama decided to give “Brahmastra” to Bhishma, Rukmi. There is no mention of any test conducted by Parashurama for them. We also don’t know on what basis Aswathamma received Brahmastra, Brahmashira and Narayanastra? For Karna the following thing was mentioned - “‘Narada said, “The tiger among the Bhrigu lineage was pleased with the strength of Karna’s arms, affection, self-control and the service he showed towards his preceptor. He was also excellent in austerities. Therefore, in the proper way, that supreme of ascetics taught him everything about brahmastra, about its release and means of withdrawal. Having obtained this knowledge, Karna was delighted and dwelt in the hermitage of the one descended from the Bhrigu lineage. His valour was extraordinary and he strove to learn dhanurveda” Reference - “Section Eighty-four Raja Dharma Parva, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy ” Clearly Karna had impressed Parashurama with the strength of arms, affection, self-control and the service towards preceptor but test was not conducted unlike Arjuna who had to go through test to prove himself that he crossed a standard line. Neither he made any promise of restraint to his Guru. If he had made, he wouldn’t have stated the following things - “For the sake of accomplishing Duryodhana’s objective and for bringing him pleasure, for the sake of bringing glory to myself and for the sake of accomplishing what the gods want,412 I will endeavour to fight with Pandava and Vasudeva. Behold my deeds today. Behold my supreme weapons today, brahmastra and other divine and human weapons. I will cushion the one whose valour is fierce, like a supreme elephant killing another crazy elephant. For the sake of victory, I will use my mental powers to hurl the brahmastra at Partha. It is unrivalled and is victorious. In the battle, he will not be able to escape from it, unless my wheels get stuck in uneven terrain.” Reference - “SECTION SEVENTY-THREE K A R N A -VA D HA PA RVA, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy ” Drona obtained Brahmastra as form of charity - “Drona heard that Rama11 wanted to give away all his riches. When Rama was leaving for the forest,12 Bharadvaja’s son went to him and said, ‘O bull among Brahmanas! I am Drona and I have come to you for some riches.’ Rama said, ‘O Brahmana! Now I have only my body left. Ask for either my body or my weapons.’ Drona said, ‘O illustrious one! Give me all your weapons, together with the knowledge of releasing them and recalling them.’ The descendant of Bhrigu13 agreed and gave those to him. On receiving them, Drona concluded that he had become successful. On obtaining from Rama that supreme weapon known as brahmastra, Drona became extremely happy and became supreme among men.” Reference - “Section Seven Sambhava Parva, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy ” There is no where in Mahabharata where Arjuna stated that he want to use Brahmastra with an intent to kill. Rather he was appreciated at the end of Mahabharata for showing restraint in usage of Brahmastra (For not using for offensive purpose of killing some one). “‘Vyasa replied, “O son!38 Partha Dhananjaya knew about the weapon brahmashira. However, he did not release it out of rage, or to slay you in this encounter. In the encounter, he wished to pacify the weapon that had been released by you. Arjuna released it, and withdrew it again. He obtained instruction in the use of brahmastra from your father.39 However, the mightyarmed Dhananjaya was compassionate and did not deviate from the dharma of kshatriyas. He possesses fortitude and is virtuous. He has knowledge of all the weapons and is righteous.” Reference - “Section Seventy-nine A I S HI K A PA RVA, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy” There is no mention of Parashurama asking any Dakshina from his student unlike Drona who later asked his students to capture Drupada. Arjuna also promised Drona of not misusing the Brahmastra and he stayed true to the fact. He did used Brahsmastra many times but usage of them was to counter the weapons of enemy and not with the intent of killing. Drona was right in refusing Karna “Brahmastra” because Karna wanted to learn “Brahmastra” with an intent to kill / harm Arjuna. Arjuna other hand received the Brahmastra after showing extreme devotion to his preceptor and excellence on subject after passing the test. He didn’t asked it from his Guru, he got it because of his qualities. He also promised to show the general rule of restraint in regards to Brahmastra. Later in Kurushetra war although Arjuna kept his promise regarding “Brahmastra”, such promise was not shown by Guru Drona and his son Aswathamma. Drona was ruthless in his use of Brahmastra against common panchala soldiers and later he lost the ability recall all his divine weapons. Aswathamma used Agneya weapon, Narayana weapon and Brahmashira on sheer rage and lost right to reuse them every time. Unable to withdraw “Brahmashira” he redirected that Pandava women like Uttara. It serves the example that Arjuna kept a promise to his Guru when his Guru and his son themselves never followed the ethics. As promised Arjuna also didn’t used Pashupata in war and used Brahmashira only to counter the brahmastra of Aswathamma. But that puts him in disadvantage position against warrior like Drona and Aswathamma who had no restraints on weapons or warrior like Karna who kept all his weapons only to be used in killing intent against his prime opponent Arjuna. Every one calls out Krishna protected Arjuna and how the Kouravas were killed ‘Unfairly’ but no one calls out how much vulnerable Arjuna was against the Kourava warriors due to the ethical model of higher weapon usage. Example - 6 Arjuna’s greatest achievement was that he was able to please Mahadeva with his valour, endurance and skill. “‘The illustrious god said, “O Phalguna! I am pleased with you because of your matchless deeds. There is no kshatriya who is equal to you in valour and endurance. O unblemished one! Your energy and valour has been equal to mine today. O mighty-armed one! O bull among men! I am pleased with you. Behold me. O large-eyed one! I will give you eyes.278 You have been a rishi earlier. You will triumph over all your enemies in battle, even if they happen to be dwellers of heaven.”” Reference - “Section Thirty-One Kairata Parva, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy” Arjuna earned his right to receive the weapon of Gods from this test. Like any other devotees Arjuna also prayed to god and performed severe penance. Even that was not enough and he had to prove himself before Shiva by fighting against him to earn Pashupata weapon. During fight Shiva took all powers and weapons of Arjuna one by one such as Gandiva, inexhaustible quivers and weapons but Arjuna kept fighting. He fought with trees, stones and later with bare hands. It showed his valour and endurance of fighting in any situation. Arjuna earned his right to get weapons of God from Indra when he blocked Indra successfully from stopping Agni to burn Khandava. Indra was impressed and he promised to give all weapons. So when Arjuna initially wanted please Indra, Indra asked him to please Shiva. He would give every thing to Arjuna if he was able to please Shiva. After learning from heaven Arjuna gave Dakshina to Indra by defeating enemy of Gods - Nivantakavachas and other Asuras. So we can see not single thing was freely gifted to Arjuna. Arjuna not only learnt from Drona, he also trained Satyaki, Pradyumna, Abhimanyu and many others on art of weapons. Similarly Arjuna learnt dancing, singing from Gandharvas and trained Princess Uttara. Arjuna’s one of greatest attribute shown here was his devotion for his Guru. It was also his one of the greatest weakness. Ekalavya episode was not about Arjuna being jealous and insecure about the ability of other archers, but it was his insecure-ness on receiving Drona’s attention. How could Ekalavya becomes the best student of Drona when he showed the greatest devotion and when Drona himself promised that he would train Arjuna to be the best was Arjuna’s concern. “They did not know him and his appearance wasn’t handsome. They asked him, “Who are you and whose son are you?” Ekalavya replied, “Know me to be the son of Hiranyadhanu, the king of the nishadas. I am Drona’s student and I am trying to become skilled in Dhanur Veda.” The Pandavas ascertained the details of everything that had happened. ‘On return, they told Drona the entire story. O king! Kounteya Arjuna kept thinking about Ekalavya. He went to Drona and affectionately told him, “In your affection, you embraced me and told me that no pupil of yours would ever be my equal. How is it that you have another valorous pupil in this world, the son of the nishada king, who is better than everyone else?”” Reference - “Section Seven Sambhava Parva, The Mahabharata translated by Bibek Debroy ” Arjuna thought Drona was mostly affectionate towards him and when he found Ekalavya declaring himself as student of Drona he couldn’t tolerate as he was aghast at thinking how could Drona teach another student when Drona promised otherwise. He had no problem with some one being his equal or great otherwise he would have jealous against every one including Krishna and he wouldn’t be able to teach others. Arjuna actually learnt mostly on his own with guidance from Drona but still ended up giving entire credit to Drona thinking it was Drona who made him the great. Most likely he saw his dead father in Drona and ended up loving him as his own father. Drona was also displayed his affection for Arjuna - partly because he was his student who became exceedingly famous. It was because of his fame that students of other state came to learn from Drona. Second he was devoted to him and third, Arjuna fulfilled the promise and handed over Drupada to him. Arjuna in a way did so many thing for Drona. Drona in other did gave weapons to Arjuna and guided him but not without any tests. Later out of gratitude Arjuna refused to fight properly against Drona and his sons. In Kurushetra war it was Drona and his son Aswathamma who caused greatest carnage among his army and his family. This is also some thing we should be careful when learn from Arjuna’s life.