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Pancharatra:Story of Ekalavya and how Arjuna became the greatest archer.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
arjunas tu paraṁ yatnam ātasthe guru-pūjane। astre ca paramaṁ yogaṁ priyo droṇasya cābhavat ॥1॥
But Arjuna undertook supreme effort in serving his teacher and in the discipline of weapons, and became beloved to Droṇa.
droṇena tu tad āhūya rahasy ukto'nna-sādhakaḥ। andhakāre'rjunāyānnaṁ na deyaṁ te kathañcana ॥2॥
But Droṇa secretly called the food preparer and said: food should not be given to Arjuna in darkness under any circumstance.
tataḥ kadācid bhuñjāne pravavau vāyur arjune। tena tatra pradīpaḥ sa dīpyamāno nivāpitaḥ ॥3॥
Then once, while Arjuna was eating, a wind blew and extinguished the burning lamp there.
bhuṅkta evārjuno bhaktaṁ na cāsyāsyād vyamuhyata। hastas tejasvino nityam anna-grahaṇa-kāraṇāt। tad abhyāsa-kṛtaṁ matvā rātrāv abhyasta pāṇḍavaḥ ॥4॥
Arjuna continued eating the food, and his hand was not confused from his mouth, due to his constant habit of taking food. Considering that as the result of practice, the son of Pāṇḍu practiced even at night.
tasya jyātala-nirghoṣaṁ droṇaḥ śuśrāva bhārata। upetya ca enam utthāya pariṣvajyedam abravīt ॥5॥
Droṇa, O Bhārata, heard the twang of his bowstring. Approaching him and rising, he embraced him and said this.
prayatiṣye tathā kartuṁ yathā nānyo dhanur-dharaḥ। tvat-samo bhavitā loke satyam etad bravīmi te ॥6॥
I shall strive so that no other archer shall be your equal in the world. This I truly say to you.
tato droṇo'rjunaṁ bhūyo ratheṣu ca gajeṣu ca। aśveṣu bhūmāv api ca raṇa-śikṣām aśikṣayat ॥7॥
Then Droṇa further trained Arjuna in battle on chariots, elephants, horses, and even on foot.
gadāyuddhe'si-caryāyāṁ tomara-prāsa-śaktiṣu। droṇaḥ saṅkīrṇa-yuddheṣu śikṣayām āsa pāṇḍavam ॥8॥
Droṇa instructed the son of Pāṇḍu in mace combat, swordsmanship, spears, javelins, darts, and mixed battles.
tasya tat kauśalaṁ dṛṣṭvā dhanur-veda-jighṛkṣavaḥ। rājāno rāja-putrāś ca samājagmuḥ sahasraśaḥ ॥9॥
Seeing his skill, kings and princes desirous of learning archery came together in thousands.
tato niṣāda-rājasya hiraṇya-dhanuṣaḥ sutaḥ। ekalavyo mahārāja droṇam abhyājagāma ha ॥10॥
Then Ekalavya, the son of Hiraṇyadhanus, king of the Niṣādas, approached Droṇa, O great king.
na sa taṁ pratijagrāha naiṣādir iti cintayan। śiṣyaṁ dhanuṣi dharma-jñas teṣām evānvavekṣayā ॥11॥
He did not accept him, thinking “he is a Niṣāda,” for being righteous in archery, he showed regard only to them.
sa tu droṇasya śirasā pādau gṛhya parantapaḥ। araṇyam anusamprāptaḥ kṛtvā droṇaṁ mahīm ayam ॥12॥
He, the scorcher of foes, having bowed to Droṇa’s feet with his head, went to the forest, making a figure of Droṇa on the earth.
tasminn ācārya-vṛttiṁ ca paramām āsthitas tadā। iṣv-astre yogam ātasthe paraṁ niyamam āsthitaḥ ॥13॥
Then he assumed the role of a teacher in that form and undertook intense discipline in archery, following supreme austerity.
parayā śraddhayā yukto yogena parameṇa ca। vimokṣa-dāna-sandhāne laghutvaṁ param āpa saḥ ॥14॥
Endowed with supreme faith and discipline, he attained the highest swiftness in aiming and releasing in archery.
atha droṇābhyanujñātāḥ kadācit kuru-pāṇḍavāḥ। rathair viniryayuḥ sarve mṛgayām ari-mardanāḥ ॥15॥
Then once, the Kuru and Pāṇḍava princes, permitted by Droṇa, all went out in chariots for hunting, being destroyers of enemies.
tatropakaraṇaṁ gṛhya naraḥ kaścid yadṛcchayā। rājann anujagāmaikaḥ śvānam ādāya pāṇḍavān ॥16॥
There, a man by chance took equipment and followed the Pāṇḍavas, taking a dog along, O king.
teṣāṁ vicaratāṁ tatra tat-tat-karma cikīrṣatām। śvā caran sa vane mūḍho naiṣādiṁ prati jagmivān ॥17॥
As they wandered there desiring various acts, the dog, while roaming in the forest, unwittingly went toward the Niṣāda.
sa kṛṣṇaṁ mala-digdhāṅgaṁ kṛṣṇājinadharaṁ vane। naiṣādiṁ śvā samālakṣya bhaṣaṁs tasthau tad-antike ॥18॥
The dog, seeing the dark-skinned Niṣāda in the forest, his body smeared with dirt and wearing black antelope skin, barked and stood near him.
tadā tasyātha bhaṣataḥ śunaḥ sapta śarān mukhe। lāghavaṁ darśayann astre mumoca yugapad yathā ॥19॥
Then, as the dog barked, he released seven arrows into its mouth all at once, showing his swiftness in archery.
sa tu śvā śara-pūrṇāsyaḥ pāṇḍavān ājagāma ha। taṁ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavā vīrā vismayaṁ paramaṁ yayuḥ ॥20॥
Then that dog, with its mouth full of arrows, came to the Pāṇḍavas. Seeing it, the heroic Pāṇḍavas were greatly astonished.
lāghavaṁ śabda-vedhitvaṁ dṛṣṭvā tat paramaṁ tadā। prekṣya taṁ vrīḍitāś cāsan praśaśaṁsuś ca sarvaśaḥ ॥21॥
Seeing that supreme swiftness and accuracy in hitting sound, they became ashamed and praised him in every way.
taṁ tato'nveṣamāṇās te vane vana-nivāsinam। dadṛśuḥ pāṇḍavā rājan asyantam aniśaṁ śarān ॥22॥
Then the Pāṇḍavas, searching in the forest, saw the forest-dweller constantly shooting arrows, O king.
na cainam abhyajānaṁs te tadā vikṛta-darśanam। athainaṁ paripapracchuḥ ko bhavān kasya veti uta ॥23॥
They did not recognize him then due to his altered appearance. Then they questioned him: “Who are you, and whose are you?”
ekalavya uvāca॥
Ekalavya said:
niṣādādhipater vīrā hiraṇya-dhanuṣaḥ sutam। droṇa-śiṣyaṁ ca māṁ vitta dhanur-veda-kṛta-śramam ॥24॥
O heroes, know me as the son of Hiraṇyadhanus, the Niṣāda king, and a disciple of Droṇa, one who has labored in the science of archery.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
te tam ājñāya tattvena punar āgamya pāṇḍavāḥ। yathā-vṛttaṁ ca te sarvaṁ droṇāyācakhyur adbhutam ॥25॥
Having truly known him, the Pāṇḍavas returned and reported to Droṇa all that had occurred, the wonderful event.
kaunteyas tv arjuno rājan ekalavyam anusmaran। raho droṇaṁ samāgamya praṇayād idam abravīt ॥26॥
Arjuna, O king, remembering Ekalavya, approached Droṇa in private and said this with affection.
nanv ahaṁ parirabhyaikaḥ prīti-pūrvam idaṁ vacaḥ। bhavatokto na me śiṣyas tvad-viśiṣṭo bhaviṣyati ॥27॥
Did you not, having embraced me alone with affection, say this: “No disciple of mine shall become superior to you”?
atha kasmān mad-viśiṣṭo lokād api ca vīryavān। asty anyo bhavataḥ śiṣyo niṣādādhipateḥ sutaḥ ॥28॥
Then why is there another disciple of yours in the world, the son of the Niṣāda king, powerful and superior to me?
muhūrtam iva taṁ droṇaś cintayitvā viniścayam। savyasācinam ādāya naiṣādiṁ prati jagmivān ॥29॥
Droṇa, having thought for a moment and resolved, took Savyasācin (Arjuna) along and went toward the Niṣāda.
dadarśa mala-digdhāṅgaṁ jaṭilaṁ cīra-vāsasam। ekalavyaṁ dhanuṣ-pāṇim asyantam aniśaṁ śarān ॥30॥
He saw Ekalavya, with matted hair and bark-clothes, body smeared with dirt, holding a bow and constantly shooting arrows.
ekalavyas tu taṁ dṛṣṭvā droṇam āyāntam antikāt। abhigamya upasaṅgṛhya jagāma śirasā mahīm ॥31॥
Ekalavya, seeing Droṇa approaching, came near, saluted him, and bowed his head to the ground.
pūjayitvā tato droṇaṁ vidhivats niṣādajaḥ। nivedya śiṣyam ātmānaṁ tasthau prāñjalir agrataḥ ॥32॥
Then the Niṣāda-born, having duly worshipped Droṇa and declared himself a disciple, stood before him with folded hands.
tato droṇo'bravīd rājan ekalavyam idaṁ vacaḥ। yadi śiṣyo'si me tūrṇaṁ vetanaṁ sampradīyatām ॥33॥
Then Droṇa said to Ekalavya, “O king, if you are my disciple, then quickly pay the fee.”
ekalavyas tu tac chrutvā prīyamāṇo'bravīd idam। kiṁ prayacchāmi bhagavan ājñāpayatu māṁ guruḥ ॥34॥
Ekalavya, delighted on hearing that, said: “O venerable one, what shall I give? Let my teacher command me.”
na hi kiñcid adeyaṁ me gurave brahma-vittama। tam abravīt tvayāṅguṣṭho dakṣiṇo dīyatāṁ mama ॥35॥
“There is nothing I will not give to my teacher, O knower of Brahman.” Droṇa said to him, “Then give me your right thumb.”
ekalavyas tu tac chrutvā vaco droṇasya dāruṇam। pratijñām ātmano rakṣan satye ca nirataḥ sadā ॥36॥
Hearing those harsh words of Droṇa, Ekalavya, always devoted to truth, upheld his vow and protected it.
tathaiva hṛṣṭa-vadanas tathaivādīna-mānasaḥ। chittvā avicārya taṁ prādād droṇāyāṅguṣṭham ātmanaḥ ॥37॥
With a cheerful face and undisturbed mind, he cut off his thumb without hesitation and gave it to Droṇa.
tataḥ paraṁ tu naiṣādir aṅgulībhiḥ vyakarṣata। na tathā sa tu śīghro'bhūd yathā pūrvaṁ narādhipa ॥38॥
Thereafter, the Niṣāda drew the bow with his fingers, but he was not as swift as before, O king.
tato'rjunaḥ prīta-manā babhūva vigata-jvaraḥ। droṇaś ca satya-vāk āsīn nānyo'bhyabhavad arjunam ॥39॥
Then Arjuna became pleased and free of anxiety, and Droṇa remained true to his word — no one surpassed Arjuna.
droṇasya tu tadā śiṣyau gadā-yogyāṁ viśeṣataḥ। duryodhanaś ca bhīmaś ca kurūṇām abhyagacchatām ॥40॥
Then among the Kurus, Duryodhana and Bhīma became Droṇa’s disciples, especially suited for mace-fighting.
aśvatthāmā rahasyeṣu sarveṣv abhyadhiko'bhavat। tathāti-puruṣān anyān sārukau yamajāv ubhau॥ yudhiṣṭhiro ratha-śreṣṭhaḥ sarvatra tu dhanañjayaḥ ॥41॥
Aśvatthāman became superior to all in secret matters. The twin sons of Yama were equal to other great heroes. Yudhiṣṭhira was foremost among chariot-warriors, but Dhanañjaya excelled in all respects.
prathitaḥ sāgara-āntāyāṁ ratha-yūthapa-yūthapaḥ। buddhi-yoga-bala-utsāhaiḥ sarvāstreṣu ca pāṇḍavaḥ ॥42॥
The Pāṇḍava became renowned to the ends of the ocean as the chief among chariot-warriors, due to his intelligence, focus, strength, and zeal in all weapons.
astre gurv-anurāge ca viśiṣṭo'bhavad arjunaḥ। tulyeṣv astropadeśeṣu sauṣṭhavena ca vīryavān। ekaḥ sarva-kumārāṇāṁ babhūvātiratho'rjunaḥ ॥43॥
Arjuna became distinguished in weapons and the affection of his teacher. Equal in instruction, he surpassed in skill and valor, and alone among all princes, Arjuna became a supreme chariot-warrior.
prāṇādhikaṁ bhīmasenaṁ kṛta-vidyaṁ dhanañjayam। dhārtarāṣṭrā durātmāno nāmṛṣyanta narādhipa ॥44॥
The sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, evil-hearted, could not bear Bhīmasena, dearer than life, or Dhanañjaya, accomplished in all knowledge, O king.
tāṁs tu sarvān samānīya sarva-vidyāsu niṣṭhitān। droṇaḥ praharaṇa-jñāne jijñāsuḥ puruṣarṣabha ॥45॥
Droṇa, O best of men, desiring to know their skill in weaponry, assembled all who were established in every science.
kṛtrimaṁ bhāsam āropya vṛkṣāgre śilpibhiḥ kṛtam। avijñātaṁ kumārāṇāṁ lakṣya-bhūtam upādiśat ॥46॥
He placed an artificial bird made by craftsmen atop a tree, unknown to the princes, and set it as their target.
droṇa uvāca॥
Droṇa said:
śīghraṁ bhavantaḥ sarve vai dhanuṁṣy ādāya satvarāḥ। bhāsam etaṁ samuddiśya tiṣṭhantāṁ saṁhiteṣavaḥ ॥47॥
Quickly, all of you, take up your bows and stand with arrows fitted, aiming at this bird.
mad-vākya-samakālaṁ ca śiro'sya vinipātyatām। ekaikaśo niyokṣyāmi tathā kuruta putrakāḥ ॥48॥
At the moment of my word, let its head be struck down. I shall assign you one by one. Do thus, O sons.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
tato yudhiṣṭhiraṁ pūrvam uvācāṅgirasāṁ varaḥ। sandhatsva bāṇaṁ durdharṣa mad-vākyānte vimuñca ca ॥49॥
Then the best of the Aṅgiras lineage said to Yudhiṣṭhira first, “O unassailable one, string the arrow and release it at the end of my word.”
tato yudhiṣṭhiraḥ pūrvaṁ dhanur gṛhya mahā-ravam। tasthau bhāsaṁ samuddiśya guru-vākya-pracoditaḥ ॥50॥
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, having taken the great-sounding bow, stood aiming at the bird, prompted by the teacher’s instruction.
tato vitata-dhanvānaṁ droṇas taṁ kuru-nandanam। sa muhūrtād uvācedaṁ vacanaṁ bharatarṣabha ॥51॥
Then Droṇa, seeing Kuru’s joy with bow drawn, after a moment said this to him, O bull of the Bharatas.
paśyasy enaṁ drumāgrasthaṁ bhāsaṁ naravarātmaja। paśyāmīty evam ācāryaṁ pratyuvāca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥52॥
“Do you see the bird perched atop the tree, O prince?” — Yudhiṣṭhira replied to the teacher, “Yes, I see it.”
sa muhūrtād iva punar droṇas taṁ pratyabhāṣata। atha vṛkṣam imaṁ māṁ vā bhrātṝn vāpi prapaśyasi ॥53॥
After a moment, Droṇa again spoke to him: “Then, do you see this tree, me, or your brothers?”
tam uvāca sa kaunteyaḥ paśyāmy enaṁ vanaspatim। bhavantaṁ ca tathā bhrātṝn bhāsaṁ ceti punaḥ punaḥ ॥54॥
The son of Kuntī said, “I see the tree, you, my brothers, and the bird — all of them, again and again.”
tam uvācāpasarpeti droṇo'prīta-manā iva। naitac chakyaṁ tvayā veddhuṁ lakṣyam ity eva kutsayan ॥55॥
Droṇa, as if displeased, said to him, “Step aside; you cannot hit this target,” thus reproaching him.
tato duryodhanādīṁs tān dhārtarāṣṭrān mahā-yaśāḥ। tenaiva krama-yogena jijñāsuḥ paryapṛcchata ॥56॥
Then the illustrious teacher questioned Duryodhana and the other sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra in the same order, desiring to test them.
anyāṁś ca śiṣyān bhīmādīn rājñaś caivānya-deśa-jān। tathā ca sarve sarvaṁ tat paśyāma iti kutsitāḥ ॥57॥
Other disciples, Bhīma and others, and princes from other lands all replied similarly, “We see everything,” and were reproved.
tato dhanañjayaṁ droṇaḥ smayamāno'bhyabhāṣata। tvay edānīṁ prahartavyam etal lakṣyaṁ niśamyatām ॥58॥
Then Droṇa, smiling, addressed Dhanañjaya, “Now you must strike this target. Listen carefully.”
mad-vākya-samakālaṁ te moktavyo'tra bhavec charaḥ। vitatya kārmukaṁ putra tiṣṭha tāvan muhūrtakam ॥59॥
The arrow should be released by you at the very moment of my word. Draw your bow and stand ready for a moment, O son.
evam uktaḥ savyasācī maṇḍalīkṛta-kārmukaḥ। tasthau lakṣyaṁ samuddiśya guru-vākya-pracoditaḥ ॥60॥
Thus addressed, Savyasācin, with bow drawn in a circle, stood aiming at the target, prompted by the teacher’s command.
muhūrtād iva taṁ droṇas tathaiva samabhāṣata। paśyasy enaṁ sthitaṁ bhāsaṁ drumaṁ mām api veti uta ॥61॥
After a moment, Droṇa addressed him again in the same way: “Do you see the bird there, the tree, or me?”
paśyāmy enaṁ bhāsam iti droṇaṁ pārtho'bhyabhāṣata। na tu vṛkṣaṁ bhavantaṁ vā paśyāmīti ca bhārata ॥62॥
“I see only the bird,” said Arjuna to Droṇa. “I do not see the tree or you,” O Bhārata.
tataḥ prīta-manā droṇo muhūrtād iva taṁ punaḥ। pratyabhāṣata durdharṣaḥ pāṇḍavānāṁ ratha-ṛṣabham ॥63॥
Then Droṇa, pleased in mind, after a moment, again addressed the formidable Arjuna, the bull among chariot-warriors of the Pāṇḍavas.
bhāsaṁ paśyasi yady enaṁ tathā brūhi punar vacaḥ। śiraḥ paśyāmi bhāsasya na gātram iti so'bravīt ॥64॥
“If you see the bird, say so again,” said Droṇa. Arjuna replied, “I see only the head of the bird, not its body.”
arjunenaivam uktas tu droṇo hṛṣṭa-tanūruhaḥ। muñcasvety abravīt pārthaṁ sa mumocāvicārayan ॥65॥
Thus addressed by Arjuna, Droṇa, thrilled with joy, said, “Release!” Arjuna released the arrow without hesitation.
tatas tasya naga-sthasya kṣureṇa niśitena ha। śira utkṛtya tarasā pātayām āsa pāṇḍavaḥ ॥66॥
Then the Pāṇḍava swiftly cut off the head of the bird perched on the tree with a sharp razor-arrow and brought it down.
tasmin karmaṇi saṁsiddhe paryaśvajata phalgunaṁ। mene ca drupadaṁ saṅkhye sānubandhaṁ parājitam ॥67॥
When that feat was accomplished, Droṇa embraced Phālguna and considered Drupada, along with his allies, defeated in battle.
kasyacit tv atha kālasya saśiṣyo'ṅgirasāṁ varaḥ। jagāma gaṅgām abhito majjituṁ bharatarṣabha ॥68॥
After some time, the best of the Aṅgiras line, along with his disciples, went to the Gaṅgā to bathe, O bull of the Bharatas.
avagāḍham atho droṇaṁ salile salile-caraḥ। grāho jagrāha balavāñ jaṅghānte kāla-coditaḥ ॥69॥
Then, as Droṇa was immersed in water, a strong crocodile, impelled by fate, seized him at the shin.
sa samartho'pi mokṣāya śiṣyān sarvān acodayat। grāhaṁ hatvā mokṣayadhvaṁ mām iti tvarayann iva ॥70॥
Though capable of freeing himself, he urged all his disciples, “Kill the crocodile and release me,” as if in urgency.
tad-vākya-samakālaṁ tu bībhatsur niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ। āvāpaiḥ pañcabhir grāhaṁ magnam ambhasi atāḍayat॥ itare tu visaṁmūḍhās tatra tatra prapedire ॥71॥
At that very moment, Bībhatsu struck the immersed crocodile in the water with five sharp, fully drawn arrows; the others, bewildered, scattered here and there.
taṁ ca dṛṣṭvā kriyopetaṁ droṇo' manyata pāṇḍavam। viśiṣṭaṁ sarvaśiṣyebhyaḥ prītimāṁś cābhavat tadā ॥72॥
Seeing him act with skill, Droṇa considered the Pāṇḍava superior to all his other disciples and was pleased at that time.
sa pārtha-bāṇaiḥ bahudhā khaṇḍaśaḥ parikalpitaḥ। grāhaḥ pañcatvam āpede jaṅghāṁ tyaktvā mahātmanaḥ ॥73॥
The crocodile, cut into pieces by Arjuna’s arrows, gave up the shin of the great soul and met death.
athābravīn mahātmānaṁ bhāradvājo mahāratham। gṛhāṇa idaṁ mahābāho viśiṣṭam atidurdharam। astraṁ brahmaśiro nāma saprayoga-nivartanam ॥74॥
Then Droṇa, son of Bhāradvāja, said to the great-souled warrior, “Take this supreme weapon called Brahmaśiras, exceedingly difficult to control, complete with usage and retraction.”
na ca te mānuṣeṣv etat prayoktavyaṁ kathañcana। jagad vinirdahed etad alpa-tejasi pātitam ॥75॥
This weapon should never be used among men. If discharged against one of little energy, it could burn down the world.
asāmānyam idaṁ tāta lokeṣv astraṁ nigadyate। tad dhārayethāḥ prayataḥ śṛṇu cedaṁ vaco mama ॥76॥
This, dear one, is said to be an extraordinary weapon among all. You should bear it with restraint. Listen now to my word.
bādhetām ānuṣaḥ śatrur yadā tvāṁ vīra kaścana। tad-vadhāya prayuñjīthās tad astram idam āhave ॥77॥
If ever a superhuman enemy afflicts you, O hero, use this weapon to destroy him in battle.
tatheti tat pratiśrutya bībhatsuḥ sa kṛtāñjaliḥ। jagrāha paramāstraṁ tad āha ca enaṁ punar guruḥ। bhavitā tvat-samo nānyaḥ pumān loke dhanurdharaḥ ॥78॥
“So be it,” said Bībhatsu with folded hands, having promised thus. He received that supreme weapon. The teacher said to him again, “There shall be no other archer in the world equal to you.”
