Hinduism: Details about 'Ekalavya'
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In Mahabharata epic, Ekalavya (Sanskrit: एकलव्य, ékalavya) is a young prince of the Nishadha tribes, who achieves a skill level parallel to the great Arjuna, despite Drona's rejection of him.
Becoming a warriorDrona's rejectionEkalavya comes to Drona for instruction. Drona rejects him on account of him not belonging to the Vedic religion, nor being an Indo-Aryan. Self-training and prowessEkalavya is undeterred, and entering a forest, begins study and practice by himself, having fashioned a clay image of Drona and worshipping him. Solely by his determination, Ekalavya becomes a warrior of exceptional prowess, at par with the young Arjuna. One day, a dog barks while he is focused upon practice, and without looking, the prince fires arrows that seal up the dog's mouth. The Pandava princes see this dog running, and wonder who could have done such a feat. They see Ekalavya, who announces himself as a pupil of Drona. Ekalavya's dakshinaArjuna is worried that his position as the best warrior in the world might by usurped. Drona sees his worry, and visits Ekalavya with the princes. Ekalavya promptly worships Drona. Drona is angered by Ekalavya's unscrupulous behavior, claiming to be Drona's student despite his rejection. He is also worried that if Ekalavya maintained this level of skill, he would one day lead the Nishadas in battle against Indo-Aryan kings and threaten the Vedic religion. Drona asks Ekalavya for a dakshina, or a deed of thanks a student must give to his teacher upon the completion of his training. Drona asks for Ekalavya's right thumb, which Ekalavya unhesitatingly cuts off and hands to Drona, despite knowing that this would irreparably hamper his archery skills. It is said tha the story is supposed to be a teaching reguarding the glory of Guru-bhakti, or devotion to Guru. It shows the unparalleled glory of Ekalavya's devotion to his Guru and should be looked at from that perspective. Modern perspectiveThe episode of Ekalavya is often criticized by modern scholars as blatant racism and caste discrimination upon the part of Drona and the royal classes. Ekalavya's example is also invoked in modern literature to cite how teachers and schools in contemporary society often reject genuinely talented and determined pupils out of prejudice. See also
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