The Untold Story of Eklavya: A Devoted Disciple's Journey to Mastery

 

"Beyond Sacrifice: The Hidden Wisdom in Eklavya’s Journey"

 

Since ages, the story of Eklavya (a character from the Indian epic- Mahabharata) has come to define exemplary discipleship. But there is an unheard and unseen side to the famous story.

 

Eklavya was the son of a poor hunter. He wanted to learn archery to save the deer in the forest that were being hunted by the leopards.  So he went to Dronacharya (a master of advanced military arts) and requested him to teach him archery. Dronacharya was the teacher of the Royal family.

 

In those days, as a rule, a teacher to the members of Royal family was not allowed to teach the state art to anybody else. It was forbidden to make anyone as powerful as the princes for the safety of the region.

 

But Ekalavya had a desire to study under Dronacharya.  Dronacharya, bound by the laws of the state, could not accept him as his disciple.

Ekalavya had accepted Dronacharya as his guru. He went home and made a statue of his guru. Over the next years, with sincerity and practice, he learned archery and became superior to even the princes of the kingdom in the art. He became so good at it that, he would hear the call of the animal, shoot an arrow at it and claim the animal.

 

One day, Arjuna, the prince found out about this talented archer. Making matters worse, he saw that Eklavya was far better than him. He went to Eklavya and asked him, ‘Who taught you archery?’

 

 

‘Dronacharya,’ said Eklavya.

 

Hearing this, Arjuna was furious. He went up to Dronacharya and said angrily, ‘What is this? You have cheated us. What you have done is a crime. You were supposed to teach me exclusively, but you taught this man and made him more skillfull than me.’

 

Dronacharya was baffled and confused at Arjuna’s allegations. He wondered who this student of his was, who had learned the art from him but whose name and identity he did not know! He thought hard but could not come up with an answer for Arjuna. He could not believe, this student was better than even Arjuna.

 

 

Both, Dronacharya and Arjuna decided to meet the Eklavya.

 

Eklavya welcomed his master with great honor and love. He led both of them to the statue he had made of Dronacharya. Eklavya had practiced archery over all the years, considering and believing the statue to be his Guru.

 

In ancient times, a common practice in learning was Guru Dakshina, where a student would give a gift or fee symbolizing the knowledge he had acquired.

 

Dronacharya said, 'Eklavya, you will have to give me some Guru Dakshina. You will have to give me the thumb of your right hand.' Ekalavya knew that archery could not be practiced without the thumb.Without thinking anything, Ekalavya gave the thumb of his right hand to his guru.

 

In this story Dronacharya is commonly viewed as being cruel and self-centered. The perceived understanding is, this boy (eklavya) who has learned the skill on his own and is good at it, is made to give it up for the vested interest of Dronacharya.  But when one looks at it from the point of view of the wise, one finds, if it were not for this incident, nobody would have ever known Eklavya.

 

Though on the outside, it seemed as if Dronacharya had done injustice to Eklavya, actually Dronacharya uplifted Eklavya from just being a student to becoming an epitome of discipleship. 

Dronacharya blessed Eklavya with immortality by asking him for his thumb. So when people think of “devotion”, they think of Eklavya, and not Arjuna.

“Look at the greatness of Dronacharya, he took the blame upon himself and uplifted his disciple. That is why, even if the Guru is wrong, if your devotion is there then you can never go wrong. But Guru is not wrong, it appears that he was biased but he uplifted Ekalavya and also protected his dharma (duty).

 Also Read : Foundations of Hindu Wisdom and Spirituality.

"Balancing Duty and Devotion: The Hidden Lessons of Eklavya and Dronacharya"

Devotion Transcends Formal Boundaries: Eklavya’s story teaches that true devotion is not limited by formal recognition or conventional teaching methods. His dedication to his Guru, even without direct instruction, showcases how sincere commitment can lead to exceptional mastery and respect.

 

The Complexity of Ethical Decisions: Dronacharya's request for Eklavya's thumb, though seemingly harsh, reflects the complex ethical decisions that leaders and mentors often face. It highlights the balance between personal duty and the greater good, demonstrating that such decisions are not always straightforward.

 

The Power of Sacrifice: Eklavya's willingness to sacrifice his thumb exemplifies the profound nature of sacrifice in the pursuit of one’s ideals. It emphasizes that true commitment often involves significant personal cost, and this sacrifice can elevate one’s legacy.

 

Recognition Beyond Immediate Context: The story illustrates that true recognition and honor can come from actions that transcend immediate circumstances. Eklavya’s legacy as a symbol of devotion and selfless dedication endures beyond the limitations imposed upon him.

 

Preserving Balance and Fairness: Dronacharya’s actions, while controversial, were intended to maintain the balance and fairness of the royal hierarchy. The story highlights the importance of preserving established norms while also acknowledging the exceptional contributions of individuals.

 

Immortality Through Legacy: Eklavya's story immortalizes him as a paragon of discipleship and devotion. It demonstrates that even in the face of personal loss, one's principles and dedication can lead to a lasting and respected legacy.

 

In summary, the story of Eklavya and Dronacharya imparts lessons on the nature of devotion, the ethical complexities of leadership, the significance of sacrifice, and the enduring impact of a legacy built on profound commitment.