Ekalavya

  

This is the story of Ekalavya, one of the tragic heroes of the great Indian epic Mahabharata.

With his deep desire to learn the arts of war, especially archery, he approached the great master Drona. Citing Ekalavya’s lineage as low-born, Drona refused to teach him.

Ekalavya, hurt and dejected by Drona’s rejection, still didn't give up on his goal to master archery. Ekalavya went ahead and collected the mud on which his Guru Drona walked and made a statue of Drona under a big old tree. He began a disciplined program of self-study over many years. Eventually, Ekalavya became an archer of exceptional prowess, greater than Drona's best pupil, Arjuna

Fate played its hands onto Ekalavya. One day when Drona and his students were on a hunting expedition in the forest, Arjuna saw a dog that was unable to bark due to an amazing construction of arrows in and all around his mouth. This construction was harmless to the dog but prevented the dog from barking. Hearing this, Drona was amazed but also distressed. How skillful would be one to do such an act? How could someone be better than my pupil Arjun? What would happen to my legacy as the greatest master ever lived? 

Drona and his students investigated and came upon Ekalavya. Upon seeing Drona, Ekalavya came and bowed to him. Drona asked Ekalavya where he had learned archery. Ekalavya replied "under you, master", and showed Drona his mud statue while explaining how he self-taught archery in front of this mud statue.

Enraged by the realization that a low born has self-taught and mastered the art of archery and blinded by his love to his pupil Arjuna and his own stature as the greatest master ever lived, Drona made a cruel demand. “To truly be my disciple, Ekalavya, you would have to pay guru Dakshina. Readily, Ekalavya offers to do anything for Drona. Drona stoically asks for the thumb from Ekalavya's right hand. Ekalavya, ever devoted to truth and desirous of keeping his promise, with a cheerful face and an unaffiliated heart cut off without ado his thumb, and gave it unto Drona.

Ekalavya's story reminds us that before perseverance, persistence, and resolute will, difficulties will disappear and obstacles vanish. It also shows how evil a noble heart can turn, mired by presumptions, vanity, and blind love for oneself or for one’s legacy.    

 - Suresh Jayaprasad
July 7, 2017