Eklavya The Obedient Student

In a remote village lived a tribal boy named Eklavya, who dreamt of becoming a great archer. He admired the legendary teacher, Acharya Drona, who taught archery to the royal princes. Filled with determination, Eklavya approached Drona, hoping to become his disciple.

However, Acharya Drona, bound by his duty to teach only the royal family, turned Eklavya away. Heartbroken but undeterred, Eklavya decided to teach himself. He crafted a clay statue of Drona and treated it as his guru, practicing diligently before it every day.

Through sheer dedication, Eklavya’s skills improved rapidly, and soon, he became an extraordinary archer. One day, while practicing, Eklavya noticed a dog barking nearby. In a remarkable display of skill, he shot multiple arrows into the dog’s mouth without harming it, silencing it without a single drop of blood being shed.

Acharya Drona happened to witness this feat and was amazed. Such precision could only belong to a truly exceptional archer. Curious, Drona searched for the archer and eventually found Eklavya. When he asked Eklavya who his teacher was, Eklavya pointed to the clay statue, saying, “You are my guru.”

Realizing Eklavya’s skill could one day rival his favorite student, Arjuna, Drona decided to test his devotion. He asked Eklavya for *guru dakshina*, a traditional fee given to the teacher. Drona requested Eklavya’s right thumb, knowing that this would make it difficult for Eklavya to shoot arrows.

Without hesitation, Eklavya, the obedient student, cut off his right thumb and humbly offered it to Drona. His respect for his guru was so great that he sacrificed his own skill without question. Though he could no longer be the finest archer, Eklavya’s legacy of dedication and obedience lived on, inspiring generations to come.

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**Moral:** True devotion and respect for one’s teacher are reflected not only in words but in action and sacrifice. Eklavya’s story teaches us that greatness lies in dedication, humility, and selflessness.