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,एकलव्यने कहा--वीरो! आपलोग मुझे निषादराज हिरण्यधनुका पुत्र तथा द्रोणाचार्यका शिष्य जानें। मैंने धनुर्वेदमें विशेष परिश्रम किया है
ekalavya uvāca niṣādādhipate vīra hiraṇyadhanuṣaḥ sutam | droṇaśiṣyaṃ ca māṃ vitta dhanurvedakṛtaśramam ||
Ekalavya said: “O heroic lord of the Niṣādas, know me to be the son of Hiraṇyadhanuṣ, and also a disciple of Droṇa. I have exerted myself with dedicated effort in the science of archery.”
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.