Shloka 52
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
एकलव्यस्तु तं दृष्टवा द्रोणमायान्तमन्तिकात् | अभिगम्योपसंगृहा जगाम शिरसा महीम्,इधर एकलव्यने आचार्य द्रोणको समीप आते देख आगे बढ़कर उनकी अगवानी की और उनके दोनों चरण पकड़कर पृथ्वीपर माथा टेक दिया
ekalavyas tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā droṇam āyāntam antikāt | abhigamyopasaṅgṛhya jagāma śirasā mahīm |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Al ver a Droṇa acercarse, Ekalavya avanzó para recibirlo, asió sus pies con reverencia y postró la cabeza hasta tocar la tierra—gesto que revela la humildad del discípulo y el peso del vínculo maestro–discípulo, que pronto será puesto a prueba por cuestiones de deber y justicia.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ideal of reverence toward one’s teacher—approaching respectfully, honoring the guru, and showing humility. In the wider Ekalavya episode, this devotion becomes ethically complex, raising questions about access to education, fairness, and the responsibilities of a teacher within dharma.
As Droṇa comes near, Ekalavya steps forward to welcome him and performs a full gesture of respect by clasping Droṇa’s feet and bowing his head to the ground, presenting himself as a devoted disciple.