Copyright@shravancharitymission
By Kamlesh Tripathi
By Kamlesh Tripathi
Once while Dronacharya was imparting astra-shastra
(Astra- is a fierce form of mantra that comprises of destructive
frequency. Shastra- is essentially a physical weapon) knowledge to
Kurukul children—Kauravas and Pandavas in Hastinapur, one day a black and tough
appearing Bheel (tribal) child came up to him. He first bowed and said pranam
(greetings) and then said—‘Acharya! (teacher) my name is Eklavya. I have
come with the hope that you will be kind enough to teach me astra
management, as you are teaching these children.’
Acharya appreciated the humbleness in
the child; but he couldn’t have given permission to a Bheel to stay with the Rajkumars
(princes). He therefore said—‘Son! For knowledge of weapons to hunt animals you
can ask your Guru, but as far as learning of astra is concerned it is not
a must for you, as the same is required only when you have to rule a kingdom or
fight a war.’
Upon hearing this Eklavya was disheartened.
But his enthusiasm had still not died down. He was determined to learn astra-shiksha.
So somewhere there only and not far from Dronacharya’s gurukul (residential
school) he built a cottage and along with that he also made a bust of
Dronacharya and established it in front of his cottage. And thereafter with his
bow and arrow he started vigorous practice.
One day Dronacharya along with his shishyas
was roaming around the jungles, when a dog of Pandavas by mistake dawdled away
to where Eklavya was practicing his targets in full flow. The dog at the frightful sight of a dark and
tough Bheel with a bow and arrow started barking. This spoiled Eklavya’s
concentration and to stop the dog from barking he filled it’s mouth with arrows
but without piercing it. This frightened the dog so much that he immediately
retracted and ran towards Pandavas.
On seeing the dog both Pandavas and
Kauravas laughed at its condition, but Arjun was immensely surprised. He realized
someone had immaculately aimed the arrows in such a manner that none of the
arrows had pierced its mouth, even when his mouth was completely packed with those
arrows. And it was evident that the arrows were shot by some very proficient
archer. Acharya Dronacharya was also stunned and immediately decided to
discover this wondrous archer.
Meanwhile, when Eklavya saw Dronacharya, he
rushed towards him to pay his respects. On seeing his bust in front of the
cottage Dronacharya was stunned. But just then Arjun who was right behind him
slowly whispered in his ears—‘Gurudev! You had given a word that amongst all
your shishyas I will be the topmost archer; but in front of him I look petty. Now
how will you protect your own word?’ Upon hearing Arjun’s comment Achraya tried
to reassure him. He then decided to demanded guru-dakshina (tradition of
repaying one's teacher or guru after the period of study) from Eklavya; and when Eklavya asked—‘Acharya
what can I do for you that will make me blessed?’ Acharya hesitatingly replied—‘You
need to give me the thumb of your right hand as guru-dakshina.’
Eklavya who was otherwise matchless in
strength and a stalwart suddenly turned patient. He heard his guru and then
took out his sword and cut his right thumb and placed it near his feet. After losing
his thumb he had ceased to be an ace archer and by performing the skill with
his left hand he wouldn’t have been in the list of top archers of his times. But
because of his sacrifice and unquestioned loyalty towards his guru Dronacharya
he became immortal in the annals of mythology.
There is no mention about how Dronacharya
must have felt receiving Eklavya’s thumb as guru-dakshina. And at that moment did
he feel small? But yes, ultimately he blessed Eklavya to immortality.
*****
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