Question

Here is a story from the Adi Parvan of the Mahabharata: Once Drona, a Brahmana who taught archery to the Kuru princes, was approached by Ekalavya, a forest-dwelling nishada (a hunting community). When Drona, who knew the dharma, refused to have him as his pupil, Ekalavya returned to the forest, prepared an image of Drona out of clay, and, treating it as his teacher, began to practise on his own. In due course, he acquired great skill in archery. One day, the Kuru princes went hunting and their dog, wandering in the woods, came upon Ekalavya. When the dog smelt the dark nishada wrapped in black deer skin, his body caked with dirt, it began to bark. Annoyed, Ekalavya shot seven arrows into its mouth. When the dog returned to the Pandavas, they were amazed at this superb display of archery. They tracked down Ekalavya, who introduced himself as a pupil of Drona. Drona had once told his favourite student Arjuna that he would be unrivalled amongst his pupils. Arjuna now reminded Drona about this. Drona approached Ekalavya, who immediately acknowledged and honoured him as his teacher. When Drona demanded his right thumb as his fee, Ekalavya unhesitatingly cut it off and offered it. But thereafter, when he shot with his remaining fingers, he was no longer as fast as he had been before. Thus, Drona kept his word: no one was better than Arjuna.

1. What message do you think this story was meant to convey to the nishadas?
2. What message would it convey to Kshatriyas?
3. Do you think that Drona, as a Brahmana, was acting according to the Dharmasutras when he was teaching archery?

Answer 1

1. 1. Maintain Social Boundaries: They must accept their low social status outside the Varna hierarchy.
   2. Do Not Mimic Upper Castes: They are forbidden from acquiring skills meant exclusively for elite rulers.
   3. Resistance Is Futile: Any attempt to break caste barriers will result in severe punishment or loss.
   4. Absolute Submission: They must remain subservient and yield to upper-caste demands without question.
2. 1. Guaranteed Supremacy: The social system will actively protect their monopoly over military power and weaponry.
   2. Loyalty of Preceptors: Brahmana teachers will go to any length to secure royal dominance and prestige.
   3. Maintain Superiority: They should never view lower-caste individuals as equals or competitors.
   4. Preserve the Order: Royal princes must uphold and enforce the rigid, traditional social hierarchy.
3. No, Drona violated the Dharmasutras in two fundamental ways:
   1. Violated Brahmanical Occupation: As a Brahmana, his prescribed duty was to study, teach the Vedas, and perform rituals. Teaching martial arts and advanced weaponry (archery) was the designated duty of a Kshatriya, not a Brahmana.
   2. Upheld Caste Exclusion Over Merit: By demanding Ekalavya’s thumb to protect Arjuna’s position, he put political favouritism and social discrimination above true merit and fair teaching ethics.