Shloka 20
Kalmāṣapāda’s Encounter with Śakti and the Escalation of the Vasiṣṭha–Viśvāmitra Feud (कल्माषपाद–शक्ति प्रसङ्गः)
यदा च पाण्डवा: सर्वे कृतास्त्रा: कृतनिश्चया: । ततो द्रोणोडब्रवीद् भूयो वेतनार्थमिदं वच:,जब समस्त पाण्डव अस्त्रविद्यामें पारंगत हो गये और प्रतिज्ञापालनके निश्चयपर दृढ़तापूर्वक डटे रहे, तब द्रोणाचार्यने गुरुदक्षिणा लेनेके लिये पुनः यह बात कही --
yadā ca pāṇḍavāḥ sarve kṛtāstrāḥ kṛtaniścayāḥ | tato droṇo 'bravīd bhūyo vetanārtham idaṃ vacaḥ ||
Khi tất cả các Pāṇḍava đã tinh thông võ nghệ, vững lòng quyết chí và kiên định trong lời cam kết sẽ làm tròn điều phải làm, thì Droṇa lại cất lời—lần này với ý định đòi lấy guru-dakṣiṇā, khoản thù lao xứng đáng dành cho bậc thầy.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights duty and reciprocity in the guru–śiṣya bond: students, once trained, are expected to honor commitments and provide due recompense. It also hints that even rightful claims (vetana/gurudakṣiṇā) can carry ethical weight depending on what is demanded and what consequences follow.
After the Pāṇḍavas complete their weapons training and stand ready and determined, Droṇa addresses them again, preparing to ask for his teacher’s fee (gurudakṣiṇā). This sets up the next development where Droṇa’s request becomes pivotal to the unfolding conflict.