Lesser known characters of Mahabharata
New Delhi: The Mahabharat is one of the major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, which is a mega saga which comprises the essence of Dharma , politics, war, religion, parenting and ethics. This grand epic much
9. Ekalavya
Eklavya was a young prince of the Nishada, a confederation of jungle tribes in ancient India. He was the son of Vyatraj Harinyadhanu, a talented soldier in the army of King of Magadha.
He aspired to study archery in the gurukul of Guru Dronacharya, who was regarded the best tutor in the use of weapons and war strategy at that time. .
Eklavya sincerely sought the mentorship of Drona for learning archery, but Drona discouraged him from this aim and ultimately rejected Eklavya on account of his caste.
However, out of respect for Drona, Eklavya embarked upon a program of self-study, using a clay image of Drona as his inspiration.
Eventually, Eklavya achieved a level of skill superior to that of Arjun, who was Drona's favourite and most accomplished student (but belonging to the royal family of the Pandavas).
The Pandavas come across the boy in the forest one day, and Eklavya told them about himself and his deep regard for Guru Drona.
In a shrewd move, Drona demanded that Eklavya cut off his right thumb as a gift to his "teacher" (in Indian culture, a teacher's request cannot be denied).
This would preclude Eklavya from being as skilled or even better archer than Arjun. Since Eklavya always trusted and respected Drona as his mentor, he agrees to the demand without hesitation, and sheared off his right thumb with his own weapon.
Eklavya was a young prince of the Nishada, a confederation of jungle tribes in ancient India. He was the son of Vyatraj Harinyadhanu, a talented soldier in the army of King of Magadha.
He aspired to study archery in the gurukul of Guru Dronacharya, who was regarded the best tutor in the use of weapons and war strategy at that time. .
Eklavya sincerely sought the mentorship of Drona for learning archery, but Drona discouraged him from this aim and ultimately rejected Eklavya on account of his caste.
However, out of respect for Drona, Eklavya embarked upon a program of self-study, using a clay image of Drona as his inspiration.
Eventually, Eklavya achieved a level of skill superior to that of Arjun, who was Drona's favourite and most accomplished student (but belonging to the royal family of the Pandavas).
The Pandavas come across the boy in the forest one day, and Eklavya told them about himself and his deep regard for Guru Drona.
In a shrewd move, Drona demanded that Eklavya cut off his right thumb as a gift to his "teacher" (in Indian culture, a teacher's request cannot be denied).
This would preclude Eklavya from being as skilled or even better archer than Arjun. Since Eklavya always trusted and respected Drona as his mentor, he agrees to the demand without hesitation, and sheared off his right thumb with his own weapon.