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{{Infobox character<br />
| info-hdr = Information<br />
| image = Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists - Ekalavya.jpg<br />
| alt = Ekalavya<br />
| caption = Ekalavya trains himself<br />
| family =Hiranyadhanus (father)<br>Ketuman (son) and another son<br><br />
| color = #FFC569<br />
}}<br />
'''Ekalavya''' ([[Sanskrit]]: एकलव्य, ''ékalavya'') is a character from the epic [[Mahābhārata|The Mahābhārata.]] He was a young prince of the [[Nishadas|Nishadha]], a confederation of jungle tribes in Ancient India.<br />
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Ekalavya is called as one of the foremost of kings in the [[Rajasuya]] Yagya where he honours Yudhishthira by offering shoes with respect.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ekalavya Honouring Yudhishthira|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02052.htm|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ekalavya—Foremost of the Kings of Rajasuya Yagna|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02036.htm|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> Though he didn't have his right thumb, he was noted as a very powerful archer and warrior.<ref name="Internet Sacred Text Archive">{{cite web|title=Eklavya—A Powerful Archer and Charioteer|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02043.htm|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref><br />
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== Life and Legends ==<br />
=== Self-training ===<br />
[[File:Princes surprised at dog.jpg|thumb|Princes surprised at dog]]<br />
In the [[Mahabharata]], Ekalavya was the son of Hiranyadhanus, the chief of Nishada.<br />
He served under [[Jarasandha|King Jarasandha']]s army as General. His father Hiranyadhanu was the commander of the most powerful king of that time, Jarasandha. Ekalavya still didn't give up on his resolute will to master archery. He once stayed hidden in the forest while guru Drona was teaching the Kaurava and Pandava brothers, after they left for the ashram, Ekalavya collected the mud on which his Guru walked, as a symbolic gesture of reverence for his Guru's knowledge and footsteps. Later he went into the forest and fashioned a statue of Drona under a big old well-grown tree. He began a disciplined program of self-study over many years. Accepting the statue as his guru, he practised before it every single day.<br />
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=== Guru Dakshina ===<br />
[[File:Ekalavya's Guru Dakshina.jpg|thumb|Eklavya's ''dakshina'' of his right hand thumb to his guru]]<br />
One day when Drona and his students were going out into the forest, Arjuna saw a dog that was unable to bark due to an amazing construction of arrows in and all around his mouth. This construction was harmless to the dog but prevented the dog from barking. Drona was amazed but also distressed: as he had promised Arjuna that he would make him the greatest archer in the world. Wondering who such a fine archer could be, Drona and his students investigated and came upon Ekalavya. Upon seeing Drona, Ekalavya came and bowed to him.<br />
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Drona asked Ekalavya where he had learned archery. Ekalavya replied "under you, Guruji", and showed Drona his statue while explaining what he had done. Drona then reminded Ekalavya that to truly be Drona's pupil, Ekalavya would have to pay [[Dakshina|guru dakshina]]. Readily, Ekalavya offers to do anything for Drona. Drona knew Ekalavya in the future will work for Magadha which was the enemy of Hastinapur. 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-21|title=GURU DRONACHARYA & EKALAVYA|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/my-voices/guru-dronacharya-ignorant-ekalavya-2075/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Times of India Blog|language=en}}</ref><br />
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=== Later life ===<br />
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The Bhagavata Purana mentions that Ekalavya assisted [[Jarasandha]], when he attacked Mathura, to take the revenge of the death of Kansa.<ref>Bhagavata Purana Skandha X Chapter 50 verse 10.2-4, Vrindavana Edition.</ref>In this battle Ekalavya was killed by Lord Krishna, because Krishna knew about the future war of Mahabharat and Ekalavya could become an obstacle in the establishment of dharma.<br />
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== Legacy ==<br />
{{Main|Ekalavya temple}}<br />
There is an Ekalavya temple (Hindi: एकलव्य मंदिर) temple in honor of Ekalavya in [[Khandsa]] village in Sector 37 of [[Gurugram]] city in [[Haryana]] state of [[India]]. As per folklore, this is the only temple of Ekalavya and it is the place where Ekalavya cut his thumb and offered to guru [[Drona]].<ref name=HTE1>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/locals-want-tourist-circuit-developed-for-the-guru/story-AQpvmWTxDPWz8sTaP8Od7K.html Locals want tourist circuit developed for the Guru - April 2016]</ref><br />
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In honour of Ekalavya, the [[Government of India]] runs an [[Ekalavya Model Residential School]] (EMRS) model residential school scheme for Indian tribals.<br />
Ekalavya Award is awarded by the Government of Karnataka for outstanding performance in sports.<br />
Eklavya inspires a life-long learning philosophy and his presence seems to be a celebration for the masses. In this EklavyaParv, the motto is 'You Create Yourself" and the legend of Eklavya is a testimony that is forwarded by many thinkers as well. The discipleship that Eklavya represents is the best for a student and enables one to be the creator of one's own destiny. Eklavya's exemplary discipleship is a life lesson in this age.<ref>https://eklavyaparv.com/eklavyaism/insights-views/241-what-is-eklavyaism-eklavyaism-is-you</ref><ref>https://wisdom.srisriravishankar.org/story-eklavya-devotion/</ref><br />
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==In popular culture==<br />
The 2007 movie [[Eklavya: The Royal Guard]] featuring [[Sanjay Dutt]] and [[Amitabh Bacchan]] was named after Eklavya.<br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [http://www.apratimblog.com/eklavya-ki-kahani-%e0%a4%8f%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%b2%e0%a4%b5%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%af-%e0%a4%95%e0%a5%80-%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%b9%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%a8%e0%a5%80/ Life Story Of Ekalavya In Hindi]<br />
* [[Puruṣārtha]]<br />
* [[Drona]]<br />
* [https://open.spotify.com/episode/72SLKPdQADJqbPdINjFOsh Eklavyaparv Podcast]<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Mahābhārata}}<br />
{{HinduMythology}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
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[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]<br />
[[Category:Dalit]]<br />
[[Category:Dalit literature]]<br />
[[Category:Adivasi]]<br />
[[Category:Scheduled Castes]]<br />
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of India]]</div>>ClueBot NG