Eklavya

Syllabus: GS1/History; GS4/ Ethics

Context

• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke of the Mahabharata character Eklavya in Parliament, comparing him to the youth, small businesses, and farmers of the country.

About Eklavya

• He was a Nishad boy, he went to Dronacharya, teacher to the Kaurava and Pandava princes, and asked to be his disciple. 
• Dronacharya refused. Eklavya then made a clay idol of Drona, considering him his guru, and practised archery on his own, becoming greatly proficient.
• Drona then asks for ‘guru dakshina’, the mandatory fee a disciple is to pay his teacher. 
• He demands Eklavya’s right thumb as his fee, which Eklavya promptly pays.

Ethical values of Eklavya in Mahabharata:

• Dedication and Commitment: Eklavya’s unwavering dedication to mastering archery, despite being denied formal training, showcases the value of persistence and self-discipline in achieving one’s goals.
• Respect for Authority: Although he was denied Drona’s teachings, Eklavya still respected Drona as his teacher. He created a statue of Drona to practice in front of, demonstrating respect for his guru.
• Self-reliance: He didn’t wait for others to help him; instead, he trained himself through sheer effort and determination.
• Sacrifice: His act of sacrificing his thumb to Drona to prove his loyalty and to prevent Arjuna from losing his position as the greatest archer is an example of self-sacrifice for the greater good, even when faced with personal harm.

Source: IE