| Great Personalities |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
EKALAVYA |
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| The EndEkalavya scored victory in defeat! With the right thumb gone, he
could no longer wield the bow effectively. But he would not give up easily. He continued
his practice using his left arm and achieved distinction. His accurate marksmanship became
a byword. He demonstrated that nothing could be a hindrance to a totally sincere pursuit.
But he was constantly nagged by one worry. As a heroic person like his father, he had
desired to assist the king of the land in times of difficulties and he could not fulfil
this ambition.
It was the time when the Great War of Kurukshetra was being fought. Lord Krishna, supporting the Pandavas, was thinking about talented and heroic people who may join hands with Kauravas. Ekalavya's father Hiranyadhanu had died in the service of Kaurava kings. Now it was possible his son might also assist Kauravas. Though he had lost his right thumb, he was still one of the world's greatest archers, as Krishna knew. It is said in the Mahabharata that Lord Krishna, not wanting Ekalavya to assist the Kaurava army, killed him before the war erupted, ad blessed him with eternal salvation. |
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