Shloka 52
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
एकलव्यस्तु तं दृष्टवा द्रोणमायान्तमन्तिकात् | अभिगम्योपसंगृहा जगाम शिरसा महीम्,इधर एकलव्यने आचार्य द्रोणको समीप आते देख आगे बढ़कर उनकी अगवानी की और उनके दोनों चरण पकड़कर पृथ्वीपर माथा टेक दिया
ekalavyas tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā droṇam āyāntam antikāt | abhigamyopasaṅgṛhya jagāma śirasā mahīm |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang makita ni Ekalavya si Droṇa na papalapit, lumapit siya upang salubungin, buong paggalang na hinawakan ang dalawang paa ng guro, at iniyuko ang ulo hanggang dumikit sa lupa—isang tanda ng kababaang-loob ng alagad at bigat ng ugnayang guro–mag-aaral na malapit nang subukin ng mga tanong tungkol sa tungkulin at katarungan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ideal of reverence toward one’s teacher—approaching respectfully, honoring the guru, and showing humility. In the wider Ekalavya episode, this devotion becomes ethically complex, raising questions about access to education, fairness, and the responsibilities of a teacher within dharma.
As Droṇa comes near, Ekalavya steps forward to welcome him and performs a full gesture of respect by clasping Droṇa’s feet and bowing his head to the ground, presenting himself as a devoted disciple.