Shloka 59
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
228 8 2022 (आय 6 (स सत्यसंध॑ नैषादिं दृष्टवा प्रीतो5ब्रवीदिदम् । एवं कर्तव्यमिति वा एकलव्यमभाषत ।।) ततः शरं तु नैषादिरज्भुलीभिव्यकर्षत । न तथा च स शीघ्रो5भूद् यथा पूर्व नराधिप,द्रोणाचार्य निषादनन्दन एकलव्यको सत्यप्रतिज्ञ देखकर बहुत प्रसन्न हुए। उन्होंने संकेतसे उसे यह बता दिया कि तर्जनी और मध्यमाके संयोगसे बाण पकड़कर किस प्रकार धनुषकी डोरी खींचनी चाहिये। तबसे वह निषादकुमार अपनी अँगुलियोंद्वारा ही बाणोंका संधान करने लगा। राजन्! उस अवस्थामें वह उतनी शीघ्रतासे बाण नहीं चला पाता था, जैसे पहले चलाया करता था
vaiśampāyana uvāca | sa satyasaṃdhaḥ naiṣādaṃ dṛṣṭvā prīto 'bravīd idam | evaṃ kartavyam iti vā ekalavyam abhāṣata || tataḥ śaraṃ tu naiṣādir aṅgulībhir vyakarṣat | na tathā ca sa śīghro 'bhūd yathā pūrvaṃ narādhipa ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing the Niṣāda youth, steadfast in his vow, Droṇa—pleased—spoke to Ekalavya, indicating, as it were, “This is how it should be done.” Thereafter the Niṣāda drew and set the arrow using only his fingers. Yet, O king, he was no longer as swift in releasing arrows as he had been before.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of satya-saṃdhi (keeping one’s vow) and the consequences of a guru’s directive: even when guidance is given, it can be shaped by social and institutional priorities, and the disciple’s sacrifice may diminish worldly prowess while preserving fidelity to promise.
Droṇa, pleased with Ekalavya’s vow-bound compliance, indicates the correct technique for drawing the bow—using the junction/coordination of fingers. Ekalavya thereafter draws and sets arrows with his fingers, but his speed in shooting is reduced compared to earlier.