Here's a story from the Mahabharata, one of the two major
Sanskrit epics of ancient India, illustrating the themes of duty,
righteousness, and the complexities of human relationships:
The Story of Ekalavya
In the forest near the city of Hastinapura, there lived a
young tribal boy named Ekalavya, who belonged to the Nishadha tribe. Ekalavya
had a burning desire to learn archery, and he knew that the greatest teacher of
this art was Dronacharya, the guru of the Kuru princes, Arjuna in particular,
who was renowned for his skill in archery.
However, when Ekalavya approached Dronacharya to be his
guru, Drona declined to teach him. Drona had promised Arjuna that he would make
him the greatest archer in the world, and teaching Ekalavya could potentially
threaten this promise because of the boy's evident talent and determination.
Undeterred, Ekalavya went back to the forest, but he did not
give up on his dream. He made a statue of Drona from the mud, treating it with
great reverence as if it were his real guru. With this symbolic mentor,
Ekalavya practiced in solitude, his devotion and discipline transforming him
into an archer of exceptional skill.
One day, the Pandavas were out hunting when their dog
wandered into the forest where Ekalavya was practicing. The dog began barking
at Ekalavya. To silence the dog without harming it, Ekalavya shot arrows in
such a precise manner that they sealed the dog's mouth shut, without causing
injury. This feat required incredible precision and speed.
When the dog returned to the Pandavas, they were astonished at this display of archery. Arjuna, in particular, was troubled, for he recognized that this skill surpassed his own. They found Ekalavya, and when Drona learned of this self-taught archer, he went to see him.
Ekalavya, upon seeing Drona, paid his respects and
acknowledged him as his guru, even though Drona had never formally taught him.
Drona, seeing the potential threat to Arjuna's supremacy, asked Ekalavya for
his guru dakshina (the tradition where a student offers something to his
teacher as a token of gratitude).
Drona requested Ekalavya's right thumb as his dakshina,
knowing well that without it, Ekalavya's archery would never be as precise.
Ekalavya, with unwavering loyalty and respect for the tradition of
guru-shishya, cut off his thumb without hesitation and offered it to Drona.
This act ensured Arjuna's place as the greatest archer, but
at a great personal cost to Ekalavya, who, despite his sacrifice, continued to
practice archery with his remaining fingers, adapting his technique.
Moral and Reflection:
The story of Ekalavya touches upon several themes:
- Duty
and Dharma: Ekalavya's action reflects his adherence to the dharma of
a student towards his guru, even when the request was unfair.
- Sacrifice
and Devotion: Ekalavya's sacrifice showcases his unparalleled devotion
to his 'guru' and his art. His story questions the ethics of Drona's
request but also highlights Ekalavya's noble character.
- Complexity
of Righteousness: It brings forth the complexity in what is considered
'right'. Drona's action to protect his promise to Arjuna versus Ekalavya's
right to learn and excel.
- Talent
and Merit: It shows that true talent can flourish even without formal
guidance, though not without its trials.
This tale from the Mahabharata remains a poignant narrative
about the sacrifices made in the name of duty and the often harsh realities of
mentorship and rivalry.
