Shloka 33
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
स तु द्रोणस्य शिरसा पादौ गृहा[ परंतप: । अरण्यमनुसम्प्राप्य कृत्वा द्रोणं महीमयम्
sa tu droṇasya śirasā pādau gṛhā parantapaḥ | araṇyam anusamprāpya kṛtvā droṇaṃ mahīmayam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Namun Ekalavya, penggentar musuh, menundukkan kepala di kaki Droṇa. Lalu kembali ke rimba, dia membentuk arca Droṇa daripada tanah liat dan, dengan menempatkan guru itu pada penghormatan tertinggi di dalam hati, dia memulakan latihan memanah dengan disiplin—hidup di bawah pantang dan aturan yang ketat. Peristiwa ini menonjolkan bhakti dan latihan diri, sambil mengisyaratkan ketegangan etika antara keikhlasan berguru dan penyingkiran sosial.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights guru-bhakti and rigorous self-discipline: Ekalavya treats Droṇa as his teacher through reverent intention and sustained practice. At the same time, it sets up an ethical question central to the Ekalavya narrative—how access to knowledge and recognition can be shaped by social boundaries rather than merit alone.
Ekalavya bows at Droṇa’s feet, returns to the forest, makes an earthen image of Droṇa, and begins practicing archery with strict observances, mentally installing Droṇa as his supreme teacher.