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 ||
毗湿摩耶那说道：然而，敌人之苦恼者埃迦拉维亚俯首于德罗那足下致敬。随后他回到林中，以泥土塑成德罗那的像，并在心中奉师为至上，遂以严整的戒律开始修习弓术——以严格的持戒与克己而住。此段既显虔敬与自我锻炼，亦预示真诚求学与社会排斥之间的伦理张力。
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.