Editing Openai/69628d00-9e94-8013-89c7-8a3bacd503e9 (section)

==== 2. What does the original Sanskrit text actually say? (Key verses) ====

===== (A) Ekalavya learns archery on his own =====

Ekalavya, a Niṣāda prince, approaches Droṇa and is refused instruction. He then fashions an image of Droṇa and practices before it.

: Sanskrit (condensed):
: tasya droṇasya rūpam tu mṛnmayam kṛtvā
: abhyasyan niyataḥ śastraṃ śarān saṃdadhāra ha

: Meaning:
: “Having made a clay image of Droṇa, he practiced weapons with discipline and concentration.”

No divine intervention. No trickery. Just self-training.

===== (B) The famous “dog’s mouth” test =====

When the Pāṇḍavas encounter Ekalavya, he demonstrates astonishing skill by shooting arrows that seal a dog’s mouth without killing it.

: śaraiḥ saṃvṛtam āsīt tu mukhaṃ tasya śunas tadā

This is the narrative proof that Ekalavya has surpassed normal students.

===== (C) Drona asks: “Who is your teacher?” =====

When asked, Ekalavya replies:

: Sanskrit:
: droṇaḥ me bhagavān ācāryaḥ

: Meaning:
: “Droṇa is my revered teacher.”

This is crucial:
Ekalavya voluntarily claims Droṇa as guru—no coercion.

===== (D) The Guru-dakṣiṇā demand (thumb) =====

Droṇa then asks for his guru-dakṣiṇā:

: Sanskrit:
: dakṣiṇām icchāmy aham
: aṅguṣṭhaṃ dakṣiṇam

: Meaning:
: “I desire a fee: your right thumb.”

Ekalavya immediately cuts it off and offers it—without protest, argument, or curse.