Shloka 34
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
तस्मिन्नाचार्यवृत्ति च परमामास्थितस्तदा । इष्वस्त्रे योगमातस्थे परं॑ नियममास्थित:,शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले एकलव्यने द्रोणाचार्यके चरणोंमें मस्तक रखकर प्रणाम किया और वनमें लौटकर उनकी मिट्टीकी मूर्ति बनायी तथा उसीमें आचार्यकी परमोच्च भावना रखकर उसने थधर्नुर्विद्याका अभ्यास प्रारम्भ किया। वह बड़े नियमके साथ रहता था
tasminn ācāryavṛttiṃ ca paramām āsthitas tadā | iṣv-astre yogam ātasthē paraṃ niyamam āsthitaḥ ||
Entonces, habiendo asumido la conducta más elevada que corresponde a un discípulo ante su maestro, se entregó a la disciplina del arco y de las armas arrojadizas. Observando votos estrictos y dominio de sí, Ekalavya—resuelto a honrar a Droṇa—se postró a los pies del maestro, volvió al bosque, formó con arcilla una imagen del ācārya y comenzó su práctica del arco, teniendo la presencia del maestro como suprema en su mente.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined learning grounded in reverence for the teacher: true mastery is pursued through niyama (strict observance), focused practice (yoga), and an inner commitment to the guru’s ideal—even when formal instruction is unavailable.
Vaiśampāyana describes Ekalavya’s resolve: he adopts exemplary disciple-like conduct, dedicates himself to archery and weapons-practice with strict vows, and (as the surrounding narrative explains) honors Droṇa by mentally installing him as teacher and practicing before a clay image in the forest.