Drona’s Lessons
Once upon a time, in the land of Bharat, the Kuru princes lived in a prosperous kingdom called Hastinapura. The princes, the majestic Pandavas and the mighty Kauravas, were the sons of two brothers - Dhritarashtra and Pandu. At an early age, these princes were sent to Guru Drona, the legendary sage renowned for his unparalleled knowledge of the martial arts, weaponry, and warfare strategy.
Guru Drona, being a blessing to the royal household, ruled the hearts of the Kuru princes. His lessons were profound and intriguing, focusing not only on fine skills but also the essence of strength, discipline, and righteousness. At the heart of these instructions, the Pandavas, led by the prodigious Arjuna, emerged exceptional.
Arjuna was an extraordinary student. His dexterity over the bow and arrow was such that he could hit a target with his eyes closed. His focus was undeterred by the harshest circumstances. He displayed his extraordinary skills when, during an exercise, he was the only student who successfully shot down the wooden bird in the tree by focusing only on its eye - a feat that impressed Guru Drona and won him the declaration of the Guru's favorite disciple.
Yet as the manner of great stories, one character emerged from the shadows, equal in devotion as Arjuna was in skill. Eklavya was a tribal boy, born in a humble family of hunters on the outskirts of Hastinapura. Despite being refused by Guru Drona to become his disciple because of his low background, Eklavya's devotion towards his Guru was supreme.
Unfazed and full of conviction, he made a clay statue of Drona and practised his archery skills facing it, imagining it as his Guru. Over time, Eklavya's self-practise led him to surpass even Arjuna in archery. When the Guru Drona came to know about this, he was impressed by Eklavya's dedication but also worried about his promise of making Arjuna the best archer in the world. He then asked for Eklavya's thumb as a Guru Dakshina (payment for teaching), knowing it will hamper his archery, to which Eklavya obediently obliged, showing his devotion and sense of duty.
The incidents faced by the Kuru princes under the watchful eyes of Guru Drona tested their character. From Arjuna's relentless pursue of excellence, and Bhima's display of raw power, to Eklavya's selfless dedication and sacrifice, the tales of these heroic individuals are laden with lessons of resilience, determination, and duty.
The saga of Drona’s Lessons and his pupils, constantly sparks heated discussion. Above all it taught one thing, that victory is not only about skill but also about character, a message that is relevant as much today as it was in ancient times.