One day, Guru Dronacharya wanted to test his disciples, the Pandavas, and Kauravas. He asked them to assemble in the large open ground in front of Hastinapura palace. He asked them to get their bows and arrows and be ready to show of their skills when he called each of them. They all agreed enthusiastically.

The guru had set up an artificial bird made of wood and grass on the top of a branch of a tree. The boys were to shoot the bird on the tree. Guru Drona asked the boys to observe the tree. He then asked on of the boys to tell him what he saw the boy told him that he saw the tree, its trunk, branches, the sky over it and the ground below it. He was sent back.

Then he called Yudhistira, the eldest of the Pandavas and asked him the same question. Yudhistira replied that he could see the tree, the bird, his brothers, friends, and everything. Guru Drona told him that he could not shoot the target and sent him back. Again he called the other boys in turns and asked them the same question. He was not satisfied with their answers.

Later he called Aijuna and asked him if he could see the bird on the top of the tree. Aijuna replied that he could only see the neck and head of the bird. The Guru was pleased, and he asked Arjuna to shoot an arrow at the bird. Aijuna aimed and hit the artificial bird’s neck and if felt to the ground.

Guru Dronacharya blessed, Arjuna and advised the other boys to concentrate and focus like Arjuna and that those qualities are the key to success.