Guru Bhakt Shishya: Eklavya

Today is the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, then you must read the story of Guru Bhakt Shishya: Eklavya once.

        Guru Bhakt Shishya: Eklavya

When Dronacharya made the Kauravas and the Pandavas specialize in archery and various types of armaments, some other kings and royal sons came to him to learn armament. Vrishini Adhako and Karna also came to him for learning Vidya(Skills). Arjuna always stayed with Dronacharya to get maximum knowledge of archery. He was his dear disciple. Dronacharya himself took special care of him. Pleased with Arjuna's guru bhakti and his faith and learning, he promised him that he would take care that there would be no archer like him on this earth. Eklavya, the son of Nishadraj Hiranyadhanu, also wanted to learn archery skills from him but Dronacharya said, I have all the princes and you are a Bhilputra, Teaching you will make princes angry, so you can't be my disciple. But Eklavya was not disappointed. He captured Dronacharya's idol in mind and  considered him as Guru and left from there. Then he went to the forest and made a clay idol of him, and started learning archery in front of him. What happened if the Guru did not accept the disciple? The disciple considered him as the Guru so that his spirit was conquered and the way to his success was paved. Once, at the behest of the Guru, the Kauravas and the Pandavas were riding in a chariot to the forest for hunting when they saw a man walking with a hunting tool and a dog. The dog walked alone through the forest path and reached Eklavya doing archery experiments. Jatadhari saw Eklavya and started barking, so Eklavya skillfully shot seven arrows in his mouth to stop him from barking. The dog was not killed nor injured by the arrow,but became dumb. In the same state, when he was standing near the Pandavas, the Pandavas were amazed to see him, there intellect or understanding could not work. He had never seen or imagined such skill anywhere. He eagerly went into the forest to see the knight. But Eklavya's appearance had changed and he could not be identified. Introducing himself, Eklavya said, "I am the son of Hiranya Dhanu and a disciple of Dronacharya. Introducing him and praising him, they went to the Guru and talked to him. Dronacharya was very surprised that 'not a single disciple of mine is so proficient then who is this one whom I have not taught even though he is my disciple. When he looked in front of Arjun, he saw the jealous expression on his face and understood his mind. He thought of something and took Arjuna to Eklavya.
Eklavya recognized him and fell at his feet and worshiped him ceremoniously. He joined hands and identified him as his disciple, so Dronacharya said that if he made me a guru without my consent and got education, now you have to give Gurudakshina too. Eklavya showed readiness to dedicate everything for Gurudakshina. Dronacharya also forgot his greatness in love with disciple Arjuna and he demanded that his greatness should not be embellished and asked Eklavya for the thumb of his right hand. Eklavya could not refuse if he wished, but he was ashamed of his learning and immediately cut off the thumb of his right hand to identify himself as a true disciple and became immortal due to his devotion.