Shloka 15
तथेति च प्रतिज्ञाय द्रोणाय कुरुपुड्गव: । उपसंगृहा चरणौ स प्रायादुत्तरां दिशम्,यह सुनकर कुरुश्रेष्ठ अर्जुनने 'बहुत अच्छा” कहते हुए उनकी इस आज्ञाका पालन करनेकी प्रतिज्ञा की और गुरुके दोनों चरण पकड़कर उन्होंने सर्वोत्तम उपदेश प्राप्त कर लिया
tatheti ca pratijñāya droṇāya kurupuṅgavaḥ | upasaṅgṛhya caraṇau sa prāyād uttarāṃ diśam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having assented with the words “So be it,” the bull among the Kurus pledged to Droṇa that he would carry out the command. Taking hold of his teacher’s feet in reverence—having received the finest instruction—he then set out toward the northern direction. The verse highlights disciplined obedience to one’s preceptor and the ethic of humility that frames the acquisition of martial knowledge.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethic of learning: knowledge—especially martial skill—should be received with humility and disciplined obedience. The student’s pledge (pratijñā) and the gesture of touching the teacher’s feet symbolize reverence, self-restraint, and accountability in carrying out the guru’s instruction.
Arjuna assents to Droṇa’s directive, formally promises to fulfill it, bows by grasping his teacher’s feet, and then departs toward the north to carry out the assigned task—marking a transition from instruction to action.