Eklavya :The Price of Loyalty.
07 December 2025
19:38
• Introduction:
• Q.What is the Mahabharat?
" The Mahabharat is one of the greatest epics in Hindu mythology. It tells the story of two families — the Pandav's and the Kaurav's — who fight the Kurukshetra War because of a conflict over a kingdom.The epic teaches important lessons about duty , righteousness ,loyalty,and the consequences of one's actions ."
• Protagonist,
Eklavya is one of the most inspiring characters of the Mahabharat—a symbol of pure devotion, determination, and sacrifice. Born in the forest and raised away from privilege, he trained himself to become an exceptional archer through relentless practice. Considering Sir Dronacharya as his spiritual teacher, Eklavya dedicated his life to mastery and discipline, ultimately proving that true greatness is shaped by commitment, not circumstances.
• About this e-book.
The Complete Life of Eklavya: From Birth to Death"Dive into the extraordinary journey of Eklavya, the legendary archer, as we narrate his entire life story — from his early days, struggles, and learning, to his heroic deeds and ultimate fate. Every important incident, every lesson, and every turning point in his life is captured in this eBook, giving you a complete portrait of courage, dedication, and sacrifice.
Nirjala
Before the Eklavya,Know some people who will play an important role in this story.
(Jarasandh -Father-in-law of Kans/King of Magadh),
(Kans-Maternal uncle of Shri krishna ),
(Bhisma-one of the son of pandava),
(Dronacharya-Educator of kings children),
(Jara-A Demon ),
(Karns -Youngest brother of bhisma ),
(Arjun - Bhisma brother),
(Barbarik-Grandson of bhisma),
( Brihadratha-Father of Jarasandh),
(Hiranyadhanush-Father of Eklavya),
(Shravana -Mother of Eklavya).
(Yudhisthir-younger brother of bisma after karna)
(Balram-Brother of shri krishna )
Before knowing Eklavya,let us know a little about Jarasandh.
Jarasandh was one of the most powerful and skilled kings of ancient India, ruling the kingdom of Magadha. He was renowned for his extraordinary strength, strategic mind, and mastery in warfare. His birth story is particularly unique and fascinating. King Brihadratha (Father of jarasanth) of Magadha had two queens, but neither was able to bear a fully formed child. Both queens gave birth, but each delivered a half-formed child. A demoness named Jara joined the two halves together, creating a complete and fully formed child. Because of this miraculous joining, the child was named Jarasandh, meaning "joined by Jara."
From a young age, Jarasandh was extremely powerful and courageous. He grew up to be a formidable warrior, excelling in both physical combat and mental strategy. As he matured, he expanded the Magadha kingdom, establishing it as one of the most dominant powers in northern India. His rule was marked by military discipline, strategic alliances, and a reputation for unmatched valor.
Jarasandh enmity with Shri Krishna arose largely due to family and political ties. His daughters were married to Kansa ( maternal uncle of Shri krishna) , the tyrant king of Mathura. When Krishna killed Kans, Jarāsandh saw it as a personal and political insult. In revenge, he attacked Mathura repeatedly—seventeen times—but each time, Shri Krishna and Balaram successfully defended the city. Eventually, to escape Jarasandh's attacks, Krishna moved the Yadavas and established the city of Dwaraka on the western coast.
Eklavya
The history of India is a witness to the fact that whenever the names of great archers are mentioned in the history of India, the four name are comes. So these four names definitely come in them like Arjun, Karn, Eklavya and Barbarik.
• In this book, we will shed light on the life of Eklavya, whose entire life was filled with hardships and difficulties. Eklavya's lifestyle yields these results.If anything or everything turns away from you, But if you have the power to become great in your blood, then nothing becomes everything.
• Eklavya became a great archer but in this book we will know everything about him.
• Eklavya's father's name is Hiranyadhanush and mother's name is Shravana.He belonged to the Nishads, a jungle tribe. His grandson was known as Nishadraj Hiranyadhanush, who was from the kingdom of Magadh(Kingdom of Jarasandh).This Nishad species lived in the forest and hunted animals.
• Maharaj Dhrithrastra (father of Kaurav's) of Hastinapur gave the responsibility of teaching martial arts and archery to his 100 sons and five sons of Pandav's to Sir Dronacharya.
• (In jungle)
When Sir Dronacharya was teaching martial arts and archery to the Kaurav's and Pandav's in the jungle, then the boy who passed the via Same path ,named Eklavya saw Sir Dronacharya for the first time. And he met Dronacharya as his teacher .
• Eklavya :
Immediately approached him to teach him archery and told him that he considered him the meaning and guide of his life.Eklavya said please take me under your shelter .
• Dronacharya:
I have promisedto teach skills only to Kshatriya people but I cannot make you my disciple because you belong to a lower caste.
(Dronacharya refused to give knowledge to Eklavya)
• Eklavya :
But I have considered you as my guru, so I will learn archery from you only.
• When after Guru Dronacharya's refusal, he made a clay idol of Guru Dronacharya in the forest and started learning his archery from it.On one side, Dronacharya was busy in making Arjun the best archer and on the other side, Eklavya was busy in acquiring the knowledge of archery with his body, mind and wealth.
After many years passes :
Many years later Eklavya grew up but one day the Pandavas came hunting in the same jungle and their hunting dog came near Eklavya and started barking.Then Eklavya started disturbing arrow practicing then Eklavya got irritated and started shooting the arrow in the dog's mouth. The arrow was put in the dog's mouth without hurt the dog and the dog remained silent.Eklavya displayed such amazing skill in front of the Kaurav and Pandav princes that the princes were surprised to see this and went back to the palace and told everything to his teacher Dronacharya.
Conversation between princes and Eklavya
• When all the princes including Arjun together asked Ekalavya who are you and who is your teacher, then Ekalavya told that I am the son of Nishadraj.
• And he showed ARJUN his clay idol of DRONACHARYA and said that this is my guru and just ARJUN was amazed that .But ARJUN was worried about his mind,
• That Dronacharya had promised to make him the greatest archer but Arjun would not be able to become the best archer as long as Ekalavya was there.
( Conversation between ARJUN and Dronacharya)
• Arjun narrated this matter of Eklavya in front of Dronacharya.Dronacharya, promised to be made Arjun as the most elevated Worrier ! Then Sir Dronacharya decided to meet Eklavya,
• And when they met him and saw him, they thought that their disciple could also be like this,
• But the promise of making Arjun the best was to prick him from within, then Sir Dronacharya made a plan.
• And told Ekalavya that you have received education from me, so now you will have to pay me fees.
Eklavya:
• Ekalavya said, my dear sir , what can I give you?
Sir Dronacharya:
• Dronacharya said, if you really want to pay the fees then give the thumb of your right hand.
• Eklavya did not think twice and before cutting off hisright hand thumb he gave it to Dronacharya. The thumb of his right hand was very important for shooting the bow. He also did not think how he would now shoot the bow.
• Dronacharya took Ekalavya's thumb and blessed him and went away.
"But still Eklavya did not give up bow practice, he started trying to use the bow with his middle finger and index finger".
:Relationship between Shri Krishna and Jarasandh:
• The name of the kingdom in which Eklavya lived was Magadha and the king of the magadha was Jarasandh, who was the father-in-law of Kans, the wife of Kans (maternal uncle of shri krishna) is the daughter of Jarasandh.
• When Shri Krishna killed Kans (king of Mathura), when Jarasandh hear about this news he felt very sad, when Shri Krishna became the king of Mathura, Jarasandh attacked his kingdom many times but he's always lost the battle.
:Death Story of Eklavya:
• Magadh was a powerful state of North India whose power was equal to Mathura state. Shri Krishna and Balram were Yadavs, so this war came to be known as Yadav-Magadha war.
• When Jarasandh heard about Eklavya, he immediately made Eklavya his commander and attacked Mathura again with a huge army. Seeing such a huge army, Mathura's people and Yadavs left Mathura and started living in a new place on the seashore which came to be known as Dwarka.
• Jarasandh attacked Mathura almost 17 times but he was defeated repeatedly. But this time he had Eklavya with him. When Shri Krishna tried to kill Jarasandh, Eklavya came in his way. He did not want to attack Shri Krishna because he was a public He is the only God. But for the sake of his kingdom and king, he caught Shri Krishna between his arrows. Then Shri Krishna cut Eklavya's throat with his Sudarshan Chakra and thus Eklavya was declared dead.
: Jarasandh Death Story :
• But Jarasandh survived because he was warned that if someone tied his body with a rope and threw it in the opposite direction, then Jarasandh would be killed, so he escaped and ran away.
• After the Mahabharat war is over. Yudhishthir performed the Rajasuya Yagya but Jarasandh had captured the kings of all the kingdoms and the Rajasuya Yagya of any kingdom would not be completed,
• Hence Shri Krishna disguised himself as Yudhishthir and Bhishma as three beggars and went to Magadha. There a wrestling competition was going on there, Shri Krishna called Bhishma and proposed a wrestling match between Jarasandh and Bhishm and Jarasandha also become ready .
• Bhima splitts Jarasandh into two pieces and threw him twice but not in the opposite direction due to which his body back together and came back to life, but Shri Krishna explained to Bhishma by splitting a small piece of stick in the middle and throwing it to the opposite side and this time Arjuna tore Jarasandh in the middle and threw it to the opposite side due to which Jarasandh was finally killed and all the kings were freed and the Rajasuya Yagya was completed.
:Conclusion:
Eklavya's life stands as a rare example of discipline, loyalty, and inner strength. He proved that greatness does not come from a famous teacher or a royal birth—it comes from a determined mind and an unshakable will. His dedication to archery, his respect for his guru, and his readiness to sacrifice for his values make him one of the most inspiring figures in our ancient history. Eklavya reminds us that true mastery is not just in the skill of the hand, but in the honesty of the heart. His story continues to guide every student who dares to dream big, work hard, and stand firm on principles.
"Eklavya teaches us that a disciplined mind can reach any height, and a loyal heart can face any test."
Nirjala