Shloka 44
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
बाल्यात् प्रभृति कौरव्य सहाध्ययनमेव च । स मे सखा सदा तत्र प्रियवादी प्रियंकर:,बचपनसे ही हम दोनोंका अध्ययन साथ-साथ चलता था। द्रुपद वहाँ मेरे घनिष्ठ मित्र थे। वे सदा मुझसे प्रिय वचन बोलते और मेरा प्रिय कार्य करते थे
bālyāt prabhṛti kauravya sahādhyayanam eva ca | sa me sakhā sadā tatra priyavādī priyaṃkaraḥ ||
منذ الطفولة، يا سليل الكورو، كان درسُنا يمضي معاً جنباً إلى جنب. وهناك كان دروبادا صديقي الحميم على الدوام—يخاطبني بكلامٍ محبّب، ويصنع ما يسرّني.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True friendship is shown through shared pursuit of learning, gentle and truthful-pleasant speech (priyavāda), and supportive actions (priyaṃkara). The verse highlights ethical companionship as something formed early and expressed consistently.
Vaiśampāyana, addressing a Kuru prince, recounts a past relationship: from childhood the speaker and Drupada studied together, and Drupada behaved as a devoted friend—speaking kindly and acting helpfully—setting up later developments in their relationship.