The Actual Full Story of Eklavya (Special Edition - 2024)

 In the heart of ancient India, there lived a young and talented archer. His story is one of skill, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion. Ekalavya, the son of Hiranyadhanus who was the king of Nishada tribe. Though born in a privileged family, Ekalavya lost his father at a very young age due to his tragic death in a war.

Now Ekalavya as the male heir was the only one to be in charge of the forest. But there was another problem. The population of the wolves and jackals was at its peak, which threatened the natives and wildlife.

Ekalavya, who was a humble and curious boy, wanted to learn archery and warfare tactics for the welfare of his subjects. He approached Dronacharya, the guru of Pandavas and the Kauravas, whom he considered his role model.

"Greeting to you Oh Revered Guru! I am Eklavya, the son of late Hiranyadhanus, the king of Nishada Tribe. As the new king of the forest, it is my duty to protect my subjects and the forest wildlife from the wolves and jackals. I am very keen to learn the art of warfare. I am very interested in Archery. With utmost respect, I request you to accept me as your disciple."

Dronacharya was immensely impressed by Eklavya's humbleness. He immediately wanted to accept him as his student. But as the teacher of royal princes, he couldn't accept a forest boy as a student along with Pandavas & Kauravas. Moreover, he promised Arjuna, the 3rd Pandava to make him the greatest archer in the whole world.

With heavy heart, Dronacharya replied, 'Son! I'm impressed by your compassion towards the wildlife and your love towards archery. But since you are a boy belonging to the forest, I cannot accept you as my student. Remember, my blessings are always with you."

Then the disappointed Nishada Prince touched Dronacharya's feet and made his way to the Forest. Thereafter, he made a statue of Guru Dronacharya with clay and began worshipping it and practiced archery in front of it as if it was his real preceptor.

Day-by-day month-by-month he consistently practiced archery and attained mastery in the art. He became so good at archery that he could shoot arrows at an animal just by hearing its sound.

One fine day, Ashwathama and Arjuna were passing in the Nishada Forest, where they saw that a dog's mouth was fully closed by three arrows. Arjuna thought, "Who is this extremely skilled archer in this dense forest, who is so better than me?"

Later he found out that it was Eklavya who shot the arrows at the dog. "Who is your guru? Who taught you archery?" asked Arjuna. "Dronacharya" replied Eklavya.

Arjuna then immediately met Dronacharya and asked him, "Gurudev! You promised me to make me the finest archer this world has ever seen! How can you teach a forest boy and make him a better archer than me?"

Dronacharya was dumbstruck. There were no words on his lips. He wondered who was this boy who closed a dog's mouth with arrows at one shot! At once he decided to meet that boy, (who was Eklavya) and have a look his archery skills.

This news reached Eklavya's ears and he grandly decorated the entire forest with flowers to welcome Guru Dronacharya. Even the people of the forest were asked to wear new clothes for welcoming him with due rites.

Dronacharya was impressed when he saw all the paraphernalia; he was very eager to meet Eklavya.

Dronacharya, Arjuna, and Aswatthama met Eklavya. He was surprised to see his idol and Eklavya practicing in front of it. The moment Eklavya saw Dronacharya, he prostrated himself before him. "Get up, son! Who are you? I observed that you practice archery in front of my idol." "Greetings to you oh revered Guru! I'm Eklavya whom you refused to teach because you are the teacher of the royal princes. But with your blessings, I made your idol and practiced archery in front of it. It is your blessings that helped me achieve mastery in this art."

"You're indeed the best archer in the world," said Arjuna. But inwardly, he was very angry.

Dronacharya was happy but at the same time, he was sad because he had promised Arjuna to make him the best archer ever but Eklavya had the skills that made him surpass Arjuna.

"Guru I want you to see my skills in archery!" said Eklavya and he showed his skills. Dronacharya said, "Hey Eklavya! I'm really impressed by your extraordinary skills in the art of archery. I am proud of your proficiency" Eklavya, "Why Gurudev? I would never go against your wishes! Kindly tell me the matter that bothers you. I am even ready to sacrifice my life for you."

Dronacharya, "I... I want Guru-Dakshina from you... Will you give me whatever I ask for?"

Eklavya, "Oh revered Gurudev! I am ever-ready to give you whatever you ask for. Just ask me and I ready to sacrifice my life."

Dronacharya with a heavy heart said, "Eklavya...! I want your right thumb, as my guru-dakshina!"

Arjuna and Ashwatthama were stunned to hear the words of Dronacharya. Everyone was keen to see the reaction of Eklavya.

Eklavya immediately cut his right thumb with one of his arrows and offered it on a leaf to Dronacharya.

Dronacharya was grief-stricken. There was a sudden hush in the entire forest.

Dronacharya hugged Eklavya and took leave of the forest along with Arjuna and Ashwatthama.

Even though Eklavya lost his crucial right thumb, he didn't sit crying. Instead, he practiced with his left hand and attained proficiency in left-hander archery as well.

Such that even Duryodhana invited Eklavya to join the Kaurava Army in the Kurukshetra war of Mahabharata, which was between Pandavas and the Kauravas. And Eklavya was ready to join the Kaurava side because his father was a member of the Kaurava army.

But before the war began, Sri Krishna killed Eklavya. He later revealed the reason for killing Eklavya to Arjuna. It is mentioned in the Drona Parva of Mahabharata.

Shri Krishna said, "Oh Partha (another name of Arjuna)! Nishada's son was undefeatable even though he was deprived of the right thumb. He is incapable of being vanquished in battle by the gods, the Danavas, the Asuras, and the Devas all together. If he was alive today, Dharma would have died today. 'For thy good he was slain by me on the field of battle!'

Eklavya was eternally blessed by Shri Krishna and he attained the state of Moksha. 

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- A retelling by Shanmukha