Recently I got a chance to go through an article in a popular magazine about the transplantation of an arm to an Army Officer from Afghanistan, who lost his arm in a mine blast there. Kudos to the doctors who performed the miracle. Gaining inspiration from that article, I wish to submit this blog for you.
Arjuna, the champion in the art of archery, came to know about a tribal boy, who has mastered the art all of himself without the guidance of a Guru. It is widely spoken that if he was allowed to practice in such a way further, one day he would beat Arjuna himself. The Prince of Hasthinapura spent sleepless nights over that issue and atlast brought it to the notice of his Guru Dronacharya.
Guru Dronacharya and his disciple set for the woods to meet the young boy. There they could meet him practicing archery. Everytime he succeeded in his attempt to hit his target, he came near a statue made of clay and bowed before it. Drona and Arjuna went near the youngster and praised him for his mastery in the use of bow and arrows. They wanted to know whose statue was that before whom he bowed every time he succeeded in his attempts. The lad disclosed that it was of his manaseeka guru, the great Dronacharya, whom he had had no chance to meet even once. Drona was very delighted to hear that. He hugged the young lad, patted on his back, though he was hatching a plot to undo that poor lad.
"Dear son! I am that Dronacharya, you wish to meet. I am your Manasekaguru whom you worship and I have come here to bless you in person that you shall mature into a good archer and nobody can beat you in this field. By the by your good name my boy?" Drona pretended as if he had much liking for the lad.
" I am Ekalavya. The son of the forest.". Ekalvya was very much astonished to see his guru by his side. He fell at his guru's feet. He was ready to do anything for his guru. Drona told that he was pleased with his performance with the bow and arrow and it was time for him to get blessings from the guru for which he has to offer Guru Dakshina. Whatever the guru asked for should be given as guru Dakshina; then only the blessings of the guru might befall on him and lead him to the heights of glory.
The archer was ready to offer anything the guru would ask for. Drona connived with Arjuna and thought that the young fellow henceforth should not handle his bow and arrows. Hence he asked for the young man's right thumb as guru dakshina. The poor young man could not grasp the ill effects of the demand and without any hesitation cut hs right thumb and offered it to his guru.
A jubiliant Drona with his desciple Arjuna left for Hasthinapura. Arjuna was relieved as he thought that one of his foes was destroyed and he could sleep peacefully thereafter.
After a couple of months, Drona happened to pass through the woods whereby he happened to meet Ekalavya. Ekalavya, as a mark of respect, fell at his feet and asked for blessings. Drona embraced him and enquired about his archery training. "Perhaps you might have given up archery as you have lost your right thumb" Drona quipped.
"No Sir! I am performing much better than earlier"replied Ekalavya.
" How on earth can you do it without your right thumb? asked Drona.
" Simple Sir. Now I am having a new thumb in my right hand in place of the one you haven taken from me.Thanks to Medical Science and the ardent Medical Practitioners, now I am provided with a thumb donated by a dying patient, grafted to my right hand and it suits me better to practice my archery".
The Great Dronacharya's head sank in shame.
Arjuna, the champion in the art of archery, came to know about a tribal boy, who has mastered the art all of himself without the guidance of a Guru. It is widely spoken that if he was allowed to practice in such a way further, one day he would beat Arjuna himself. The Prince of Hasthinapura spent sleepless nights over that issue and atlast brought it to the notice of his Guru Dronacharya.
Guru Dronacharya and his disciple set for the woods to meet the young boy. There they could meet him practicing archery. Everytime he succeeded in his attempt to hit his target, he came near a statue made of clay and bowed before it. Drona and Arjuna went near the youngster and praised him for his mastery in the use of bow and arrows. They wanted to know whose statue was that before whom he bowed every time he succeeded in his attempts. The lad disclosed that it was of his manaseeka guru, the great Dronacharya, whom he had had no chance to meet even once. Drona was very delighted to hear that. He hugged the young lad, patted on his back, though he was hatching a plot to undo that poor lad.
"Dear son! I am that Dronacharya, you wish to meet. I am your Manasekaguru whom you worship and I have come here to bless you in person that you shall mature into a good archer and nobody can beat you in this field. By the by your good name my boy?" Drona pretended as if he had much liking for the lad.
" I am Ekalavya. The son of the forest.". Ekalvya was very much astonished to see his guru by his side. He fell at his guru's feet. He was ready to do anything for his guru. Drona told that he was pleased with his performance with the bow and arrow and it was time for him to get blessings from the guru for which he has to offer Guru Dakshina. Whatever the guru asked for should be given as guru Dakshina; then only the blessings of the guru might befall on him and lead him to the heights of glory.
The archer was ready to offer anything the guru would ask for. Drona connived with Arjuna and thought that the young fellow henceforth should not handle his bow and arrows. Hence he asked for the young man's right thumb as guru dakshina. The poor young man could not grasp the ill effects of the demand and without any hesitation cut hs right thumb and offered it to his guru.
A jubiliant Drona with his desciple Arjuna left for Hasthinapura. Arjuna was relieved as he thought that one of his foes was destroyed and he could sleep peacefully thereafter.
After a couple of months, Drona happened to pass through the woods whereby he happened to meet Ekalavya. Ekalavya, as a mark of respect, fell at his feet and asked for blessings. Drona embraced him and enquired about his archery training. "Perhaps you might have given up archery as you have lost your right thumb" Drona quipped.
"No Sir! I am performing much better than earlier"replied Ekalavya.
" How on earth can you do it without your right thumb? asked Drona.
" Simple Sir. Now I am having a new thumb in my right hand in place of the one you haven taken from me.Thanks to Medical Science and the ardent Medical Practitioners, now I am provided with a thumb donated by a dying patient, grafted to my right hand and it suits me better to practice my archery".
The Great Dronacharya's head sank in shame.
A different and interesting view on ancient history as always. Good one.
ReplyDeleteSemma twist in the end.. hope medical science was there at that time only..
ReplyDelete