Ekalavya
Ekalavya is a figure in the Indian epic Mahabharata. He is described as a prince of the Nishadas, a non‑Kshatriya tribe, who epitomizes zeal for learning.
Seeking instruction in archery from Drona, he is refused because of his caste. He then crafts a
When Drona learns of his skilled student, he asks for gurudakshina. Ekalavya consents and, in most versions,
Scholarly and cultural interpretations vary: the episode is discussed as an instance of caste prejudice within
In broader Mahabharata tradition, his role is peripheral to the central Kurukshetra War, but the story of