Shloka 45
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
एकलव्य उवाच निषादाधिपतेवीरा हिरण्यधनुष: सुतम् । द्रोणशिष्यं च मां वित्त धनुर्वेदकृतश्रमम्
ekalavya uvāca niṣādādhipate vīra hiraṇyadhanuṣaḥ sutam | droṇaśiṣyaṃ ca māṃ vitta dhanurvedakṛtaśramam ||
Ekalavya berkata: “Wahai para pahlawan! Ketahuilah aku sebagai putra Hiraṇyadhanuṣ, pemimpin kaum Niṣāda, dan juga sebagai murid Droṇa. Aku telah bersungguh-sungguh berjerih payah dalam ilmu memanah.”
एकलव्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds self-identification through lineage, chosen affiliation (discipleship), and disciplined effort. Ethically, it raises the question of how merit and dedication in learning should be acknowledged, especially when social boundaries and authority over knowledge are in play.
Ekalavya introduces himself to the Niṣāda chief as Hiraṇyadhanuṣ’s son and claims discipleship under Droṇa, emphasizing that he has trained intensely in archery. This sets up the later tension around recognition, legitimacy of instruction, and the consequences of seeking mastery outside accepted circles.