Shloka 32
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
नसतं प्रतिजग्राह नैषादिरिति चिन्तयन् | शिष्यं धनुषि धर्मज्ञस्तेषामेवान्ववेक्षया,परंतु उसे निषादपुत्र समझकर धर्मज्ञ आचार्यने धनुर्विद्याविषयक शिष्य नहीं बनाया। कौरवोंकी ओर दृष्टि रखकर ही उन्होंने ऐसा किया
na satam pratijagrāha naiṣādir iti cintayan | śiṣyaṃ dhanuṣi dharmajñas teṣām evānvavekṣayā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thinking, “He is a Niṣāda’s son,” the righteous teacher did not accept him as a proper disciple in the science of archery. Keeping his gaze fixed on the Kauravas’ interests alone, he acted in this way.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical tension: a teacher who is called dharmajña still acts with partiality, letting social identity and political allegiance determine access to knowledge. It invites reflection on how dharma can be compromised by patronage and prejudice.
A would-be student seeks training in archery, but the teacher refuses to accept him as a formal disciple, thinking him to be a Niṣāda’s son. The refusal is motivated by keeping the Kauravas’ interests foremost.