Shloka 44
बाल्यात् प्रभृति कौरव्य सहाध्ययनमेव च । स मे सखा सदा तत्र प्रियवादी प्रियंकर:,बचपनसे ही हम दोनोंका अध्ययन साथ-साथ चलता था। द्रुपद वहाँ मेरे घनिष्ठ मित्र थे। वे सदा मुझसे प्रिय वचन बोलते और मेरा प्रिय कार्य करते थे
bālyāt prabhṛti kauravya sahādhyayanam eva ca | sa me sakhā sadā tatra priyavādī priyaṃkaraḥ ||
From childhood onward, O scion of the Kurus, our study was carried on together. There, Drupada was always my close companion—ever speaking to me with affection and doing what was pleasing to me. The passage recalls the ethical force of early friendship: shared learning, kind speech, and helpful action as marks of genuine companionship.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True friendship is shown through shared pursuit of learning, gentle and truthful-pleasant speech (priyavāda), and supportive actions (priyaṃkara). The verse highlights ethical companionship as something formed early and expressed consistently.
Vaiśampāyana, addressing a Kuru prince, recounts a past relationship: from childhood the speaker and Drupada studied together, and Drupada behaved as a devoted friend—speaking kindly and acting helpfully—setting up later developments in their relationship.