Shloka 32
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
शरेण विद्ृध्वा मुद्रां तामूर्ध्वमावाहयत् प्रभु: । सशरं समुपादाय कूपादड्जुलिवेष्टनम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--तब महायशस्वी द्रोणने धनुष-बाण लेकर बाणसे उस अँगूठीको बींध दिया और उसे ऊपर निकाल लिया। शक्तिशाली द्रोणने इस प्रकार कुएँसे बाणसहित अँगूठी निकालकर उन आश्वर्यचकित कुमारोंके हाथमें दे दी; किंतु वे स्वयं तनिक भी विस्मित नहीं हुए। उस अँगूठीको कुएँसे निकाली हुई देखकर उन कुमारोंने द्रोणसे कहा
śareṇa viddhvā mudrāṃ tām ūrdhvam āvāhayat prabhuḥ | saśaraṃ samupādāya kūpād aṅguliveṣṭanam |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the mighty and renowned Droṇa, taking up bow and arrow, pierced that ring with an arrow and drew it up from the well. Having thus retrieved the finger-ring together with the arrow from the well, the powerful Droṇa brought it up.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Mastery is shown through precise skill joined with steadiness of mind: Droṇa’s effortless composure while performing a difficult feat models the ideal of disciplined training and self-control expected of a teacher and warrior.
Droṇa demonstrates extraordinary archery by shooting an arrow through a ring lying in a well and lifting the ring out with the arrow, then handing it to the amazed princes, who respond by addressing him.