Shloka 543
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
एकलव्यस्तु तच्छुत्वा प्रीयमाणो<ब्रवीदिदम् । राजन! तब द्रोणाचार्यने एकलव्यसे यह बात कही--“वीर! यदि तुम मेरे शिष्य हो तो मुझे गुरुदक्षिणा दो'। यह सुनकर एकलव्य बहुत प्रसन्न हुआ और इस प्रकार बोला
ekalavyas tu tac chrutvā prīyamāṇo ’bravīd idam | rājan |
Mendengar kata-kata itu, Ekalavya pun bersukacita dan berkata demikian (kepada sang raja).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the seriousness of accepting a guru: discipleship implies humility, obedience, and willingness to offer guru-dakṣiṇā. It also sets up an ethical tension—devotion and duty on the disciple’s side versus the guru’s responsibility and impartiality.
After hearing the preceding statement (contextually, Drona’s demand for guru-dakṣiṇā), Ekalavya becomes delighted and begins to reply. The narration marks the transition from Drona’s request to Ekalavya’s response.