Shloka 57
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
एकलव्यस्तु तच्छुत्वा वचो द्रोणस्य दारुणम् | प्रतिज्ञामात्मनो रक्षन् सत्ये च नियत: सदा,द्रोणाचार्यका यह दारुण वचन सुनकर सदा सत्यपर अटल रहनेवाले एकलव्यने अपनी प्रतिज्ञाकी रक्षा करते हुए पहलेकी ही भाँति प्रसन्नमुख और उदारचित्त रहकर बिना कुछ सोच-विचार किये अपना दाहिना अँगूठा काटकर द्रोणाचार्यको दे दिया
ekalavyas tu tac chrutvā vaco droṇasya dāruṇam | pratijñām ātmano rakṣan satye ca niyataḥ sadā |
Vaiśampāyana said: Hearing Droṇa’s harsh demand, Ekalavya—ever steadfast in truth—protected his own vow. Without hesitation, and with a composed, generous spirit, he cut off his right thumb and offered it to Droṇa, choosing fidelity to his pledged word over personal loss.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds satya and pratijñā-rakṣaṇa—upholding truth and one’s vow even at great personal cost—while also inviting ethical reflection on authority: a guru’s demand can be socially and morally fraught, and dharma may involve painful choices under unequal power.
After hearing Droṇa’s severe words (his demand for guru-dakṣiṇā), Ekalavya remains committed to his pledge and truthfulness. He cuts off his right thumb and gives it to Droṇa, thereby crippling his archery skill but fulfilling what he considers his obligation.