Shloka 543
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
एकलव्यस्तु तच्छुत्वा प्रीयमाणो<ब्रवीदिदम् । राजन! तब द्रोणाचार्यने एकलव्यसे यह बात कही--“वीर! यदि तुम मेरे शिष्य हो तो मुझे गुरुदक्षिणा दो'। यह सुनकर एकलव्य बहुत प्रसन्न हुआ और इस प्रकार बोला
ekalavyas tu tac chrutvā prīyamāṇo ’bravīd idam | rājan |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang marinig ang mga salitang iyon, si Ekalavya—punô ng galak—ay nagsalita nang ganito, na tumutukoy sa hari. Itinatanghal ng sandaling ito ang masiglang pagtanggap ni Ekalavya sa bigkis ng guro at alagad at ang kahandaang maghandog ng guru-dakṣiṇā, na nagpapatingkad sa debosyon at sa bigat na etikal ng pagsunod sa gurong pinili niya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the seriousness of accepting a guru: discipleship implies humility, obedience, and willingness to offer guru-dakṣiṇā. It also sets up an ethical tension—devotion and duty on the disciple’s side versus the guru’s responsibility and impartiality.
After hearing the preceding statement (contextually, Drona’s demand for guru-dakṣiṇā), Ekalavya becomes delighted and begins to reply. The narration marks the transition from Drona’s request to Ekalavya’s response.