Shloka 13
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
अभ्ययात् स ततो द्रोणं धनुर्वेदचिकीर्षया । शिक्षाभुजबलोेथ्योगैस्तेषु सर्वेषु पाण्डव: । अस्त्रविद्यानुरागाच्च विशिष्टो5भवदर्जुन:,पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुन (सदा अभ्यासमें लगे रहनेसे) धनुर्वेदकी जिज्ञासा, शिक्षा, बाहुबल और उद्योगकी दृष्टिसे उन सभी शिष्योंमें श्रेष्ठ एवं आचार्य द्रोणकी समानता करनेयोग्य हो गये। उनका अस्त्र-विद्यामें बड़ा अनुराग था, इसलिये वे तुल्य अस्त्रोंके प्रयोग, फुर्ती और सफाईमें भी सबसे बढ़-चढ़कर निकले
abhyayāt sa tato droṇaṃ dhanurvedacikīrṣayā | śikṣābhujabalodyogais teṣu sarveṣu pāṇḍavaḥ | astravidyānurāgāc ca viśiṣṭo 'bhavad arjunaḥ |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Then Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, approached Droṇa with the resolve to master the science of archery. By his disciplined training, strength of arm, and tireless effort, he became pre-eminent among all the pupils—fit to be compared with his teacher. And because of his deep love for the knowledge of weapons, he excelled beyond the rest in the skilled and swift application of arms.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Excellence arises from sustained discipline (śikṣā), strength properly directed (bhuja-bala), and relentless effort (udyoga), guided by genuine love for learning (anurāga). The verse highlights merit earned through practice rather than mere status.
Arjuna goes to Droṇa seeking instruction in archery and weapon-science. Through training and hard work he surpasses the other students and becomes the most distinguished pupil, comparable in skill to his own teacher.