Shloka 50
धृतराष्ट्र–दुर्योधन संवादः
Vāraṇāvata-vivāsana-nīti: Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Duryodhana’s Policy Dialogue
तत्रैव च वसन् धीमान् धर्नुर्वेदपरो5भवत् | स शुश्राव महात्मानं जामदग्न्यं परंतपम्
tatraiva ca vasan dhīmān dhanurvedaparo 'bhavat | sa śuśrāva mahātmānaṃ jāmadagnyaṃ paraṃtapam |
Living there in that very hermitage, the wise Droṇa became wholly devoted to the science of archery. In due course he heard of the great-souled Jāmadagnya Paraśurāma—an afflicter of foes—renowned as the all-knowing foremost among weapon-bearers, and intent on giving away his entire martial wealth as a gift to Brahmins.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined learning (vidyā-abhyāsa) and the ethical framing of power: martial knowledge is pursued through austerity and study, yet its possession is ultimately subject to dharma—here shown by Paraśurāma’s resolve to relinquish (dāna/tyāga) even supreme weaponry.
Droṇa stays in an āśrama and intensively practices dhanurveda. He then hears a report about Paraśurāma—celebrated as the foremost master of weapons—who is preparing to donate his entire martial store to Brahmins, setting up Droṇa’s motivation to seek him out.