M131 - Arjuna's Jealous towards Ekalavya

When Drona was teaching martial arts to the Kaurava princes, princes from many countries flocked to him. One of them was Ekalavya, son of Hiranyadhanus, King of the Nishadas. Since the Nishadas were of a mixed race, they were considered to be of a lower order in the social hierarchy. Therefore, Drona expressed his inability to accept Ekalavya as his student, in keeping with the conventions observed at that time. Drona refused to accept him. After bowing at Drona's feet, Ekalavya went back to the forest, made a clay image of Drona and began to worship it. He practiced with great zeal in front of this deity of Drona, and in due course all the science of weaponry became known to him.


One day the Pandavas and the Kauravas set out for the forest on a hunting excursion.They took along a dog for helping them in hunting. The dog strayed away and came to the place where Ekalavya was stationed. Seeing his frightful sight, the dog began to bark. The Nishada prince, wanting to exhibit his prowess with the bow and arrow, shut the dog's mouth with seven arrows. The dog returned to the camp of the princes, with the arrows embedded in its mouth. When the princes saw the dog, they were struck with wonder and immediately began searching the forest for the archer who had performed such a feat. When they found Ekalavya, they asked him who he was. Ekalavya introduced himself as the son of the Nishada King Hiranyadhamus and as a disciple of Drona.

The Pandavas returned to the palace and told Drona about the extraordinary skill in archery displayed by Ekalavya. When Arjuna was alone with Drona, he asked him "You told me that no disciple of you would be equal to me. How is it that Ekalavya has superior to me in skill?"

After questioning Ekalavya further, the Pandavas went back to Drona and informed him of what had happened.
Arjuna thought that the Nishada prince had come to Drona in secret and learned the art of weapons. He humbly questioned Drona, You have embraced me and told me that I would have no equal in archery. How then has this Ekalavya surpassed me?

Drona reflected on the question posed by Arjuna took a proper course of action. Drona took Arjuna to the forest. In the woods they soon came upon Ekalavya. After spotting Drona from a distance, Ekalavya ran towards him and fell at his feet. Drona told him, "Oh, King of Nishada, if you are a disciple of me as claimed by you, should you not offer me the Gurudakshina (remuneration payable by a student to the teacher)?"
Ekalavya replied, "You are my teacher. Please tell me what Gurudakshina I should give you. I will offer whatever is desired by you."

If you are really intent on making me a gift, Drona said, then please give me your right thumb. Ekalavya was devoted to obedience, and with an unflinching mind, cut off his right thumb and gave it to his teacher. When the prince tried to shoot again with the use of his right hand, Arjuna found that he did not have the same accuracy as before.

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