- Ekalavya was the son of Hiranyadhanus, ruler of Nishada. He was a leader in the King Jarasandha army. His father Hiranyadhanus was the most powerful king of the time, Jarasandha. Ekalavya has a limited ability to experience the art of archery.
- Soon he started for his Gurukula and reached the Gurukul of Guru Drona, he saw it consisted of a cluster of cottages, enclosed by trees, and a field for archery. When Eklavya reached his Gurukul, he could see a number of huts, which were surrounded by a number of trees, and had a courtyard which was meant for archery. He saw that Dronacharya was teaching Archery to princes of the kingdom of Hastinapura.
- When Dronacharya saw him he asked him for his introduction. Ekalavya replied, Great preceptor, I am Ekalavya, son of tribal king Hiranyadhanus Nishadha tribe. Dronacharya thought about it for a moment, and then said, Ekalavya, If you are the Nishadha hunters, you are a Shudra, the lowest caste of the kingdom. I taught only the Kshatriyas and the Brahmins, and no Shudras. Shocked at the rejection, Eklavya felt dishonored, since although he was the Prince, Eklavya was being discriminated against because of his caste. The small and intelligent boys mother told him that being Shudra, Acharya Drona was not going to take Eklavya as a Drona disciple. Eklavya wanted to learn archery, so he could rescue the poor deer from the horrors of the lions and leopards.
- Not being the kind of person who would surrender easily, Eklavya used clay to make a picture of Guru Dronacharya, and began practicing archery. Over many years, through all of Eklavya’s practice and devotion to Guru Dronacharya, he learned the art of archery and became a better man than a prince in the province called Hastinapura. With constant practice, Eklavya soon became one of the best archers, and was sure he was better than any of his disciples.
- One day There was Drona standing by the tree, busily guiding a young boy, and that young boy was none other than Arjuna, the third Pandava Prince, who was known to a young boy named Eklavya afterward. They decided to track down Eklavya, and reached a place where Eklavya was practicing wonders with his bow and arrow before that picture. The next day, the Great Prince told of his meeting with Ekalavya to the Preceptors of the Royal Party, and they complimented the unmatched skills of Eklavya in the art of archery. Drona went into the forest followed by princes and met with Ekalavya, who was immensely pleased to see a grand master in the dreams of Eklavya.
- Upon meeting with Drona, Eklavya acted humble and gave Drona all credit saying it was he alone who taught him the skill. Guru Drona saw the clay picture Eklavya had made and realized that Eklavya was the same kid who had come to him years before.
- Now Guru Drona ask Eklavya for Guru Dakshina! Ekalavya offers to do anything for Drona.Thereby, Drona asks Ekalavya to cut off his right thumb as Guru Dakshina. Happy and smiling, Ekalavya cuts off the thumb and presents it as Gurudakshina to Dronacharya.
