Ekalavya

Ekalavya

At teacher Drona’s ashram, Dhritrasthra’s sons, Pandu’s sons, and various other prices were learning the art of mastering weapons. On hearing of the teacher’s ability, many others wished to learn the art of handling weapons under his guidance. At this time, a tragic happening took place. There was a tribal king named Hiranyadhanu. His son Ekalavya thought that he would also become Teacher Drona’s student and learn the art of archery from him.

He went to the teacher and expressing his wish, he said, “Respected teacher, I want to serve you and gain the art of handling weapons. Please oblige me.”

At once, the teacher said, “Son, I will not be able to give you knowledge here, along with these princes.

In this way, the gates of knowledge were closed for Ekalavya. He felt very sad. He did not like rudeness, but still his decision to learn the art was firm. For this, he went into the jungle. There, he made an idol of the teacher. It was made of mud. He bowed to the idol of the teacher and taking it to be teacher himself, he started learning archery. His devotion was great and learning in this way, he became a great archer.

One day, with the consent of the teacher, the Pandavas and Kauravas went hunting. By change, they came to the forest in which Ekalavya was staying. The princes had a dog with them, which got separated from them and started roaming. Suddenly, seeing the dark skin of Ekalavya, the dog started barking, therefore, the tribal prince short seven arrows and stitched his mouth. The dog came running up to the Pandavas.

They thought, “Who is it that has sewn the mouth of the dog so skillfully with arrows? He must be a really great archer.” In this way, Ekalavya got praise, but along with praise came envy and jealousy. They now started searching for the archer. After going a few steps, they saw Ekalavya practicing archery. They asked him who he was.

He said, “I am Ekalavya, Hiranyadhanu’s son and teacher Drona’s disciple.” The surprised princes came to the teacher and told him all that Ekalavya had said. The teacher, too, was astounded and said, “But, Ekalavya is not my disciple. I did not give him admission here.” His most skilled student, Dhananjaya, told him that he had granted him the wish to be his most skilled student, and yet, here was Ekalavya more learned than he. “Come with me, sir. Please convince yourself.” On meeting the teacher, Ekalavya bowed to him and asked him to command. Drona asked him for his right thumb. Without hesitating for a moment, Ekalavya cut off his right thumb. Now, he would no longer be able to handle a bow and arrow. Ekalavya’s unselfish sacrifice showed how much devotion he had for his teacher.

Narration: Ms. Sai Sruthi S.V.
[Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Alumna]