Character!


One prince who came to Dronā to become his disciple was Eklavya, son of Nishāda tribe king Hiranyadhanus. Aware of moral principles, Drona refused to accept him fearing that he would use his weaponry skills for wrong purpose. Nishāda's were known to be engaged in anti-social activities, creating trouble for law-abiding citizens & administration. They were hence allocated their space to live in forest but were still creating troubles. So, when Eklavya came to be admitted in gurukul, Drona said-No! I’ve been given shelter by Kuru kings & I can’t teach anyone working against them

 

After touching Dronā's feet, Eklavya returned home, his head bent with shame & disappointment but still undeterred. He made a clay statue of Drona & while worshipping him as his guru, began practicing with his bow in front. Because of his exceptional devotion to his guru combined with incessant practice, he very quickly mastered art of shooting arrows

 

One day Kuru princes went to forest for hunting & as they wandered about, one of their dogs came upon Eklavya, who was engaged in his practice. Nishāda price was dark complexioned and with dirty clothes & matted locks appeared fearful, prompting the dog to bark very loudly. Distracted & desiring to exhibit dexterity with his bow, Eklavya swiftly shot 7 arrows into barking dog’s mouth. Pierced this way, the dog returned to his masters. When princes saw such skill of an unknown archer, they became ashamed of their own abilities

 

The princes searched forest & found Eklavya practicing. When asked about his identity, Nishāda prince said-I’m Eklavya, disciple of Dronācharya. The princes returned to Hastināpur & eagerly related the incident to Drona. In private, Arjun approached Drona & said-You had assured me that I would become foremost wielder of bow, but how come Eklavya is superior to me?

 

Hearing Arjuna’s words Drona contemplated & went to forest with him. Eklavya was practicing & seeing Drona stopped & reverently fell to touch his feet. Drona said-My dear prince, if you consider yourself as my disciple, reward me with dakshina. Hearing this Eklavya thought Drona finally accepted him as his disciple & said-Pls ask me whatever you like

 

Drona said-If you’re anxious to give me what I want, give me severed thumb of your right hand. Although these cruel words were very painful to hear, Eklavya didn’t express any disappointment & immediately cut his right thumb & gave it to his guru

 

The incident is painful, but Drona observed that Eklavya didn’t have character of a kshatriya or protector to use his skills for protection of others. Person who have extraordinary competence but not the character would use their skills not for benefit but harming others. Eklavya used his skills against harmless dog & Drona thought he may use it to harm other people & accumulate bad Karma affecting his future lives


This has huge implications for us to understand broader principles of Competence Vs Character

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Victory! It was early in morning as both sides awaited the rising of Sun, a brisk wind carried drops of water & thunder was heard, although not a cloud was seen in sky. After some time, the wind picked up so that not only was there a dust storm, but even small pebbles were blown here & there. Meteors fell from the sky & earth trembled. When the Sun rose, it lacked its usual splendor. And yet both armies looked magnificent & all warriors appeared jubilant in anticipation When Maharaj Yudhisthira saw the vast Kaurava army with Bhisma in its midst, he became disheartened & his face became pale. He said to his brother Arjun: I don’t think that we have a chance for victory. The vast army containing so many illustrious warriors appears impenetrable Arjun said: Dear brother, you must remain confident, knowing that even though we are inferior in numbers, victory is always with the righteous. You have forgotten that Lord Krsna is protecting us? Sri Krsna is the Supreme...
Read more
Image
Emotions! As R āksasās led by Ghatotkaca attacked, only Asvattāma remained firm & dispelled their illusions. Ghatotkaca rushed at Asvattāma, but the son of Drona drove him back with a forceful stream of arrows. The son of Ghatotkaca, named Anjanaparva joined the fray, showering his arrows upon Asvattāma, but Drona’s son quickly retaliated by knocking down his flag, killing his two drivers, breaking his bow & at last killing his horses   Anjanaparva flew into the sky & began showering trees upon Asvattāma. In retaliation the son of Drona afflicted him so severely that the Rāksasā soon had to return to the shelter of his chariot. Asvattāma discharged a fierce arrow that took away Anjanaparva’s life & then continued to slaughter many other Pāndava warriors   Ghatotkaca became terribly aggrieved seeing the death of his son & so he rushed at Asvattāma while challenging him. In the spectacular duel that followed the entire sky became lit up by the spark...
Read more
Image
  Emotional outburst – It hurts!   Hearing Bhima’s roar, all Pāndava warriors triumphantly blew conch shells & shouted with joy. Duryodhana went to Drona on a swift chariot. With great anger he said: O Preceptor! Arjun, Sātyaki & Bhima have approached Jayadratha after vanquishing our soldiers. How could you let them defeat you & then pass right thro’ your army? Do you not know that all our warriors harshly criticize you for this grievous lapse? Anyways, let us forget what has passed. Now pls instruct me about what should be done for Jayadratha’s protection?   Drona replied: To protect Jayadratha is certainly our foremost duty, but I wish to remind you that all our present sufferings were brought about because you made Sakuni challenge Yudhisthira to gamble at the dice board. That dice game was the preliminary contest, but this war is the real gambling match wherein Jayadratha has become the stake & the deadly arrows are the dice. Go now, my dear Du...
Read more