Story And History Of Ekalavya In Mahabharata

Who was the best among the thousands of archers in ancient India? It is challenging to decide. Ekllavya was one of those archers. Some people call Ekalavya the son of a hunter, and some people the son of Bhil. Some people propagate by saying that Guru Dronacharya did not teach Eklaavya, being a Shudra. But all these things are wrong.

Ekalavya Meaning

Students learn to bow by watching.

Ekalavya In Hindi

Mahaakaavy da mahaabhaarat ka ek paatr hai. Vah nishaadon ka ek yuva raajakumar tha, jo praachin bhaarat mein jangal janajaatiyon ka ek sangh tha. Ekalavy ko raajasooy yagy mein raajaon mein se ek kaha jaata hai jahaan vah sammaan ke saath joote bhent karake yudhishthir ka sammaan karata hai.

Ekalavya Story

There is a lot of misconception about Ekllavya because people do not read Mahabharata and Puranas and believe that what they wrote was true. When a lie is propagated, again and again, it becomes the truth. To know the truth, logic has to be set aside, and patience is introduced. Everyone distorted and wrote this story of Mahabharata in their way.

The will of Shri Krishna governs the entire trajectory of the Mahabharata. All the senior people of Pandav Paksha made every distinction and question to save Arjuna and make him great. If Guru Drona had asked for a thumb from Eklavyaa, Krishna had a desire behind him.

At one place in the Mahabharata, Shri Krishna explained to Arjuna that ‘What have I not done in your love. For this to be called the best archer of the world, I killed Dronacharya, weakened Mahaprakrami Karna, and without even knowing you, he even gave Ekllavya, the adopted son of Nishadraj without your knowledge, so that there is no obstacle in your path. Ekalavya was the son of Lord Krishna’s Pitruvya (uncle), who was handed over to the forest dweller Bhil Raj Nishadraj based on Jyoti Sh in childhood.

Ekllavya does not give his thumb in Dakshina, or if Guru Dronacharya does not ask for Eklavya’s thumb in Dakshina, Eklavya is not mentioned in history. Eklavyaa never felt sad that Guru Dronacharya asked for his thumb. Guru Dronacharya was also a sage. He knew very well what to do. They were bound by the promise given to Bhishma Pitamah and Arjuna. Religion had arisen before Guru Dronacharya.

Drona’s Promise To Bhishma Pitamah (Vachan)

He promised Bhishmipitama that he would teach only the Kaurava dynasty’s princes and promised Arjuna that no archer would be more excellent than you. Guru Dronaracharya did not say that I have pledged not to teach any Shudra. But this incident was taken by some group of people in the wrong sense and divided the society by presenting that meaning in a big way. Who is the organization that fostered this social division also knows all this?

He had to fight a battle against the same Arjuna, who had got the thumb of Ekalavya to prove Dronacharya significant, and he was the reason for killing the son of the same Arjuna he died at the hands of the same Arjuna’s brother-in-law. Had happened. It isn’t easy to understand the character of Dronacharya.

Ekalavya Caste

 In the Mahabharata duration, the state of Shringverpur spread out everywhere in the seaside area of Prayag (Allahabad) belonged to Nishadraj Hiranyadhanu. Shringverpur, situated on the banks of the Ganges, was its substantial capital. According to one belief, he was the son of Shri Krishna’s uncle, whom he handed over to the king of Nishad caste.

At that time, the power of the state of Shringverpur was the same as that of the great states of Magadha, Hastinapur, Mathura, Chedi, and Chanderi. The bravery of Nishad Raj Hiranyadhanu and his commander Giribir was noted. The king governed the state with the help of the Amatya (ministerial) council. Dronabhakta Ekllavya was the son of Nishadraj Hiranyadhanu. His mother’s name was Rani Sulekha.

It is mentioned that a caste called Nishad still lives in India. Eklavyaa was neither a Bhil nor a tribal. He was a Nishad caste. This will be revealed on the following pages. It is worth mentioning that Ved Vyas, who wrote the Mahabharata, was not from any Brahmin, Chhatriya caste. He was also from the Nishad caste, which is considered to be the most backward class nowadays. The story of Ekllavya comes in the Adiparva of Mahabharata.

Satyavati, the grandmother of Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidur, was a Nishad girl. The wives of Satyavati’s son, Vichitravirya, gave birth to two sons from the rule of Ved Vyasa, and the third son was from Dasi. Ambika’s sons were Dhritarashtra, Ambalika’s sons Pandu and Dasiputra Vidur.

Why Is Eklavya Called Eklavya? 

Initially, Eaklavya was named Abhidyumna. Often people called him by the name of Abhay. At the age of five, Eklavya’s education was arranged in the Kuliya Gurukul. This was a Gurukul where people from all the upper castes of caste and society studied.

The way Eaklavya was portrayed was not of that type. He was a Rajput, and his father had a reputation in the Kaurava kingdom. Since childhood, the Guru named the boy ‘Ekalavya.’ When Eklavya was young, seeing the child’s rhythm, dedication, and monotony in the armament system, Hiranyadhanu got him married to the daughter of one of his Nishad friends, Sunita.

Once Pulak Muni saw Eklavya’s confidence and dedication to learning the bow and arrow, he told his father, Nishadraj Hiranyadhanu, that his son could become a great archer should try to get him right. King Hiranyadhanu, impressed by Pulak Muni’s talk, takes his son Ekllavya to a great master like Drona.

Ekalavya And Drona Dialogue

Guru Drona was famous for archery at that time. Eklavya wanted to get higher education in archery. Ekllavya had complete faith in his dedication and loyalty.

Eklavya came to Guru Dronacharya and said – ‘Gurudev, please teach me archery!’ Dronacharya was born with a dilemma because he had pledged to Bhishma Pitamah to teach only the Kaurava clan’s princes, and Ekalavyaa was a prince but not a Kaurava clan. So how to teach him archery?

Therefore, Dronacharya said to Ekalavya – ‘I am compelled to teach you archery.’

Eklavya came out of the house, deciding that he would only make Guru Dronacharya his master. After denying Drona, Hiranyadhanu returned to his kingdom but left Eklavya with Drona as his servant. Despite denying Drona initiation, Eklavyaa did not give up. He stayed with them like servants. Dronacharya got Eklaavya a cottage to live in. Ekalavya’s work was simply that when all the princes went away practicing Baan Vidya, they picked up all the arrows and put them back in the log.

When Dronacharya used to teach his disciples how to use weapons, Ekalavyaa used to hide there and listen to everything and every lesson of Drona. Despite being his prince, Ekalaavya was living as a servant near Drona. According to Drona’s learning, Eklavvya learned to shoot arrows in solitude while living in Aranya.

Ekalavya Was Considered As a Hunter Or Bhil Caste 

Kauravanshi, all the princes returned prematurely due to one day of early practice. In such a situation, Eklavya got a unique opportunity to bow. But sadly, Duryodhana saw his infallible target and informed Dronacharya about this.

Dronacharya asked Ekllavya to leave from there. Disappointed, Ekalavya turned to his palace, but on the way, he wondered what he would do at home, so he stayed in a tribal settlement in the middle. He introduced himself to the tribal chieftain and said that he wanted to stay here and practice Dhanush lore. Sardar happily permitted Eklavyaa. Eklavya was considered as a hunter or Bhil caste due to living among tribals or Bhils.

Eklavya made an earthen idol of Guru Dronacharya while staying among the tribals, and after looking at the idol and meditating, he started learning archery by taking inspiration from him. Due to concentration of mind and devotion, he started getting inspired by that idol, and he moved very much in archery.

Time passed, and Eklavya became young and the other children of the Kaurava dynasty, the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Dronacharya had promised Arjuna that there would be no better archer in this universe than him in his childhood. But one day, the misconception of both Drona and Arjun was dispelled when they saw Ekalavyaa running a bow.

Dog Of The Princes

Once Guru Dronacharya involved Aranya to use archery with Pandavas and also Kauravas. He also had a dog with him, which went a little farther. The dog reached where Ekllavya was utilizing his archery. Seeing Eklavya’s loosened hair and also torn clothes, the pet started barking. Ekalavya did not strike the pet, did not obtain harm, and his barking would stop so that seven arrows were positioned in his mouth. The dog went back to where Pandavas and Kauravas accompanied Guru Dronacharya.

Then Arjuna said, looking at the dog – Gurudev, I do not even know this knowledge. How did this happen? You said that there would be no other archer of my equal, but I do not even know such knowledge.

Ekalavya Give A Thumb Of The right Hand In Gurudakshina

When Dronacharya proceeded and saw Hiranyadhanu’s son, there was Gurubhakta Ekalavya.

Dronacharya asked- ‘Son! Where did you learn this education?

Ekalavyaa- Gurudev! I am discovering by your grace.

Dronacharya had already promised that no other archer would be equal to Arjuna. But it has gone ahead. Now Guru Dronacharya had a dire crisis.

Seeing Eklavya’s talent, Dronacharya was in trouble. But suddenly, he understood a tip, and he said- ‘You have learned archery by putting my idol in front, but who will give my guru Dakshina?’

Eklavya said- ‘Gurudev, what do you ask for?’

Dronacharya said – You have to give me the thumb of the right hand in Gurudakshina. ‘ He asked Ekalavyaa for his right-hand thumb in Gurudakshina so that Eklavya could never bow.

Without thinking even a moment, Eaklavya cut off his right hand’s thumb and offered it at the feet of Gurudev. Blessed is Eklavyaa, that obtained motivated by Gurumurthy and was successful in archery and provided his courage, sacrifice, and commitment to the globe by giving Gurudakshina. Even today, such courageous archer Eaklavya is remembered for his guruship as well as dedication. 

Treat This Dialogue As Such

Dronacharya: – Whose disciple are you?

Eklavya: – of Guru Dronacharya.

Dronacharya: But I have not given you any education.

Eklavya: – But I have considered myself a guru.

Dronacharya: – Whose son are you?

Eklavya: – The rule of the Bhil king.

Dronacharya: – Who is the commander of Jarasangha’s army?

Eklavya: Yes, Gurudev.

Dronacharya: – Where will you go after attaining so much merit?

Eklavya: – I will lead the army of Jarasangha along with my father.

Dronacharya: Do you know that Jarasangha is an enemy of humanity? Is it a male vampire?

Eklavya: – Mr. Gurudev! I will go there anyway.

Dronacharya: Oh! If you consider me a guru, then you will have to give me Guru Dakshina.

Eklavya: – I am ready.

Dronacharya: – Give me the thumb of your right hand.

Ekalavya: – The commandment (Ekalavya does the same.)

While leaving, Guru Dronacharya showed Ekalavyaa with the right-hand index and middle finger showing two fingers that the arrow could be operated with two fingers. If the thumb is cut in the war, will you leave the battlefield and run away. The result was Eklavya rehearsed and regained undo efficiency.

The question arises as to what was the purpose of thumb cutting. So to solve this, one has to understand whose son he was? He was the adopted son of Raj Bhil. Who was the army husband of Jarasangha’s army? The Jarasangha was extremely oppressive, cruel, and an enemy of Shri Krishna. With his force, he had arrested many kings nearby. In this case, increasing his capacity means increasing the crisis for humankind. That’s why he got his thumb cut.

Arjuna pledged not to use the divine weapons in the war. In that Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna was more knowledgeable and influential than Arjuna himself in the cosmic weapons, and the other was Eaklavya. Ekalavyaa fought in favor of the Kauravas, feeling angry towards his Guru Dronacharya. Whereas the army he could become the commander was the army of the son of Jarasangha, who fought on behalf of the Pandavas. Therefore, before the war started, Yogiraj Krishna challenged him for the war and granted him Veeragati.

Father Of A Modern Tirade

Kumar Eklavya goes to father Hiranyadhanu after sacrificing his thumb. Eklavya regains expertise in archery without his thumb through his cultivation skills. The thumb is not used in all archery competitions organized in today’s era, so it would be appropriate to call Eklavya the modern archery father.

After the death of his father, Eklavyaa becomes the ruler of the Shringaber state. With Amatya Parishad’s advice, he manages his kingdom and constitutes a strong army and navy of Nishad caste people and extends his kingdom’s boundaries.

Ekalavya Had Defeated The Yadav Army 

Eklavya joined Jarasandha due to his expansionist thinking. On behalf of the military of Jarasandha, he had almost eliminated the Yadav army by invading Mathura. It is found in Vishnu Purana and Harivansh Purana.

When this information reaches Srikrishna after the Yadav army is wiped out, they become eager to see Eaklavya. With just four fingers in his right hand, he sees Eklavya with a bow and arrow. It can be dangerous for the Pandavas and his army. Then Shrikrishna has a battle with Eklavyaa, and in this war, Eaklavya Virgati attains.

After Eklavya attains Veeragati, his son Ketuman sits on the throne and fights against the Pandavas on behalf of the Kaurava army. In the Mahabharata war, he is killed by Bhima’s hand.

Ekalavya Death

Since he was involved in the massacre of humans, Krishna had to kill Eklavya. Eklavya alone was able to stop thousands of Yadav descent warriors. In this war, Sri Krishna killed Eklavya with deception. Bhima killed his son Ketuman in the Mahabharata war.