Ekalavya's mastery and Drona's demand for his thumb
Rejected by Drona for his low birth, Ekalavya builds a clay image of the master and teaches himself archery through sheer devotion, becoming supremely skilled. When Drona discovers him, he comes not to teach, but to collect a terrible fee.
Ekalavya was the son of Hiranyadhanu, the king of the Nishadas — a forest people. He came to Drona and asked to be taught. Drona, learned in dharma (cosmic law and duty), thought about it. Out of consideration for his other, high-born students, he refused.
Ekalavya touched Drona’s feet with his head, then went into the forest. There, he used clay to make an image of Drona. He began to worship it as his preceptor, devoting his mind to learning archery in accordance with the proper disciplines. Through his exceptional faith and supreme devotion, he acquired great dexterity — fixing the arrow, aiming, releasing — all without a living teacher.
One day, the Kuru and Pandava princes went hunting in that forest. A dog belonging to their servant got lost, found Ekalavya in his clearing, and began to bark at the dark, dirt-covered forest-dweller. Without looking up, Ekalavya displayed his skill: in one instant, he shot seven arrows into the dog’s open mouth, forming a lattice that sealed it without drawing blood.
The dog ran back to the Pandavas, its mouth full of arrows. They were astonished. They praised the feat — shooting blind, with that precision — and were ashamed of their own skills. They searched and found Ekalavya, shooting tirelessly. They asked who he was. “I am the son of the Nishada king,” he said. “I am Drona’s student, learning Dhanur Veda.”
Arjuna could not forget this. He went to Drona and reminded him of his promise. “You told me no pupil of yours would ever be my equal. How is it that you have another valorous pupil, the son of the Nishada king, who is better than everyone else?”
Drona thought for a moment, then took Arjuna with him and went to the forest. He found Ekalavya, covered in filth and rags, ceaselessly shooting arrows. Ekalavya saw Drona, prostrated himself, touched his feet, and stood before him with joined hands. “I am your student,” he said.
Drona told him, “If you are my student, give me my guru dakshina (teacher’s fee).”
Ekalavya replied happily, “Command me. There is nothing that cannot be given to the preceptor.”
Drona said, “Give me your right thumb.”
On hearing these terrible words, Ekalavya kept his promise. Always devoted to the truth, he cheerfully cut off his own right thumb — with happiness on his face and peace in his heart — and gave it to Drona.
Afterward, when he tried to pull the bowstring with his other fingers, he found he was no longer as swift as he had been.
Arjuna was pleased, and his fever went away. Drona’s words, that no one would surpass Arjuna, came true.