One day while teaching the Kurus the art of archery,Drona Acharya was approached by a young boy who also wanted to learn.The boy whose name was Ekalavya was turned down by Drona acharya because he belonged to the Nishada tribe which was of low caste.

Disappointed by the rejection,Ekalavya returned to the forest and made himself an idol of Drona.Adopting the idol as his Guru he started practicing archery.His devotion to learning this art soon made him invinceable.

Once Drona acharya and Arjuna went to the forest.While there a dog passed by with it's mouth filled with arrows.Certainly the work of a skilled archer.Following the trail of the dog they came upon the place where Ekalavya was practicing.

Drona asked the young man who he was and who taught him this wonderful art.Ekalavya bowed and touched the feet of Drona in respect and was much surprised to see him there.He then reminded Drona acharya about how he rejected him as his student and since then he has adopted the idol as his teacher and practised in front of it as if was his real teacher.

Drona now realised that his intention to make Arjuna the greatest archer in the world was quashed as long as Ekalavya was there.Also Arjuna thought to himself that he was no match for Ekalavya.

Since no disciple is really free until he pays his debts to his Guru, Drona decided to play a trick on him.He asked for Guru dakshina. Ekalavya was more than happy to pay his dues.Drona acharya asked for the right thumb of Ekalavya knowing that the lack of it will place him in a disabled situation.His skill will be severely lost.

Ekalavya gladly cut of his right thumb and gave it to Drona as Guru dakshina thus paying of his debts.Drona was pleased with him and then left with Arjuna.



Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.

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