Shloka 12
Droṇa–Drupada Saṃvāda and Droṇa’s Reception at the Kuru Court (द्रोण-द्रुपद-संवादः; कुरुनगरप्रवेशः)
स मे5भिचारसंयुक्तमाचष्ट भगवान् वरम् | मन्त्र त्विमं च मे प्रादादब्रवीच्चैव मामिदम्,“तब भगवान् दुर्वासाने वरदानके रूपमें मुझे प्रयोगविधिसहित एक मन्त्रका उपदेश दिया और मुझसे इस प्रकार कहा--
sa me 'bhicārasaṁyuktam ācakṣṭa bhagavān varam | mantraṁ tv imaṁ ca me prādād abravīc caiva mām idam |
Vaiśampāyana said: The venerable sage granted me a boon endowed with ritual efficacy, and he also bestowed upon me this mantra. Then he addressed me with these words—thus indicating the proper use and the responsibility that accompanies such power.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power received through a boon or mantra is not value-neutral: it must be handled with discipline, correct procedure, and ethical restraint, because ritual efficacy can produce consequences beyond one’s intention.
The narrator reports that the revered sage (Durvāsā) granted a boon and gave a mantra along with its method of application, then began instructing the recipient—setting up the later events where the mantra’s use leads to significant outcomes.