O king, thereupon Drona spoke thus to Ekalavya, "O hero, if you are really my pupil, give me my remuneration. Ekalavya was much pleased in hearing this and he said-
ततो द्रोणोऽब्रवीद् राजन्नेकलव्यमिदं वचः। यदि शिष्योऽसि मे वीर वेतनं दीयती मम॥ एकलव्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीयमाणोऽब्रवीदिदम्।