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:
bālyāt prabhṛti kauravya sahādhyayanam eva ca | sa me sakhā sadā tatra priyavādī priyaṃkaraḥ ||
From childhood onward, O scion of the Kurus, our study was carried on together. There, Drupada was always my close companion—ever speaking to me with affection and doing what was pleasing to me.
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.