Shloka 25
Droṇotpattiḥ and Dhanurveda-Prāpti
Origin of Droṇa and Acquisition of Martial Science
छायेवानुगता राजन् सततं वशवर्तिनी | भविष्यामि नरव्याप्र नित्यं प्रियहिते रता,राजन! मैं छायाकी भाँति आपके पीछे लगी रहूँगी एवं सदा आपकी आज्ञाके अधीन रहूँगी। नरव्याप्र! मैं सदा आपके प्रिय और हितमें लगी रहूँगी
chāyevā́nugatā rājan satataṁ vaśavartinī | bhaviṣyāmi naravyāghra nityaṁ priyahite ratā ||
రాజా! నీడలా నేను ఎల్లప్పుడూ మీ వెంట ఉంటాను; నిరంతరం మీ ఆజ్ఞకు లోబడి ఉంటాను. ఓ నరవ్యాఘ్రా! మీకు ప్రియమైనదీ, హితమైనదీ అయిన దానిలోనే నేను నిత్యం నిమగ్నమై ఉంటాను.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethic of steadfast loyalty: to accompany someone as inseparably as a shadow, expressed through obedience (vaśavartinī) and active commitment to the other’s welfare (priya-hita). It highlights service not merely as attachment, but as sustained concern for what benefits the one served.
Within Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a woman (unnamed in this verse) addresses a king/hero, promising constant attendance, obedience to his commands, and dedication to his pleasure and well-being—using the vivid simile of a shadow that never leaves its bearer.