EKALAVYA – Unit-3

Before you read:

The Teacher

Murillo was a Spanish artist. He found some of his students’ sketches that were great. They were done during the night and he was unable to find out who had painted them. One morning, he found his pupils standing in a group before a beautiful painting of the Blessed Virgin. They seemed to be lost in surprise and wonder. He asked them who had painted it. Each one said ‘Not me. After admiring it, he said, “He who has done this will one day be the master of us all”. Finally, Murillo found out that his young slave Sebastian had painted the picture. Murillo asked him who his master was! Sebastian replied that Murillo was his master! Murillo in shock told him that he had not taught him. Sebastian said that when Murillo taught others he had overheard him and practised on his own. Murillo was greatly impressed. He released Sebastian and his father from slavery.

EKALAVYA

Scene I

Dronacharya’s ashram

(Drona is standing under a tree surrounded by the Pandava and the Kaurava princes)

Drona: I am very glad, my dear boys. You have learnt all the tricks of archery that I taught. Practise them well. 1

Arjuna: But we know only to aim at an object seen at a distance. You have not yet taught us the art of shooting at an unseen object. 2

Drona: Yes, Shabdavedhi, it is the most skilful trick in archery – aiming at an object merely by the sound. You shall learn it by and by…. But who comes here? 3

(A boy enters and bows to Drona)

The boy: Great Acharya, Ekalavya, the son of Hiranya Dhanush, prostrates before you. 4

Drona: Long live, boy! Hiranya Dhanus? Is he not the hunter chief of the southern forest? 5

Drona – The archery teacher for both the Pandava and the Kaurava princes, ದ್ರೋಣಾಚಾರ್ಯರು

prostrate (ಸಾಷ್ಟಾಂಗ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ) – lie flat on the ground before a person to show respect

fawn – young deer, ಜಿಂಕೆ ಮರಿ

Ekalavya: Yes, Acharya. But he is no more. 6

Drona: Oh, what a pity! He was a bold hunter. Indeed you look equally bold! What brings you here, my boy? 7

Ekalavya: Wolves have increased in my forest and the fawns have no safety. I cannot bear to see the poor animals troubled by the greedy wolves. I must learn archery in order to protect the fawns in the surroundings. So, I have come to you, great Acharya, please take me as one of your pupils. 8

Drona: Your thought is indeed noble. 9

Arjuna: Noble indeed! But Acharya, he is not a prince. How can you have him as your pupil? 10

Drona: That is true. But I am sure he will prove a worthy pupil. 11

Ekalavya: Acharya, teach me archery just enough to save my dear fawns. Take pity on the poor animals. 12

Drona: My vow binds me, my boy. I cannot take as my pupil anyone other than a Kshatriya or a Brahmin. But my blessing goes with you. May you prosper! 13

vow – promise, ಶಪಥ, ಆಣೆ

Ekalavya: Great Acharya, keep your vow. Your blessings shall be my guide and shall help me to reach my goal. You are my guru, though I may be far away from you. I will learn archery with your blessings. 14

(Ekalavya prostrates and goes out)

Scene II

Forest Scene

Two years later.

Drona’s idol is decorated with flowers on a platform under a tree. Ekalavya bowing before the idol and some deer grazing peacefully at a distance.

Ekalavya: (addressing the idol) Great Acharya. How kind you are! You have taught me archery well within these two years. What
good luck is mine to have you as my guru! I have achieved my goal. My dear fawns are now free from trouble. (Looking at the deer in the distance). How peacefully they are grazing! 15

Ekalavya: (Hears the barking sound of dogs at a distance). Ha! This is not the howl of wolves. The sound is coming nearer! (The deer lift up their heads in fear and run to him). Have no fear, my dear animals! No dog or wolf shall disturb your peace as long as I live. (He shoots arrows in the direction of the barking. The sound stops). Oh! Quite a big party of hunters! How wicked they are to set their dogs against the innocent animals of the forest! Oh, what do I see! My guru with his pupils! 16

howl – sound made by a wolf, ಊಳಿಡುತ್ತಾ ಮಾತಾಡು, ಕೂಗು, ನಾಯಿಯಂತೆ ಅರಚು

wicked – evil, morally wrong, ದುಷ್ಟ, ದುರುಳ

(Enter Drona with Arjuna and other princes and a dog with arrows in its mouth. The poor dog whines helplessly. Ekalavya prostrates before Drona).

Ekalavya: Acharya, Ekalavya, the son of Hiranyadhanus, pays his respects to you. 17

Drona: Arise, my boy! God bless you! What a skill you have gained in archery in this short period! Your teacher must indeed be a great one. 18

Arjuna: Really! This boy has mastered the art of shooting arrows by detecting the source of the sound. 19

Ekalavya: It is all the result of your blessings, great acharya. I learnt all the tricks of archery under your kind guidance. How kind of you to visit this poor abode of your humble pupil. 20

whine – cry with pain, ಅಳುತ್ತಾ ಹೇಳು, ಗೋಳಿನ ಸ್ವರ

abode – a house or home, ನಿವಾಸ, ನಿವಾಸಸ್ಥಾನ

humble – modest, ವಿನಮ್ರ, ವಿನೀತ

Arjuna: Acharya! You promised to make me the greatest archer in the world. But here is a boy who excels me and he says you are his guru! 21

Drona: Arjuna, you know I have been with you always. It is the devotion of this boy that has made him a good bowman. 22

devotion – deep love and respect, ಭಕ್ತಿ

Arjuna: Whatever it may be, Acharya you have not kept your word. 23

Drona: Ekalavya, if you claim that I am your teacher, you will have to give me a Gurudakshina. 24

Arjuna: Acharya, so was it really you? You have not kept your promise! 25

Drona: Dear Ekalavya, if you say that I am your teacher, I deserve Gurudakshina. Can you give your right thumb as Gurudakshina? 26

Ekalavya: Do not accuse the great Acharya, Oh, prince! I cannot bear it. His promise to you shall be kept. (Goes to the idol, bows before it, takes his knife from his belt, cuts off his right thumb, puts it at the feet of the idol, takes it again and comes back to Dronacharya). My noble master, here is my guru Dakshina. I request you to accept it and bless me. This forest is now free from wolves and other cruel beasts and my dear fawns are safe. I have no more need of my bow. (Turning to Arjuna) Prince, you are now the greatest archer as you will not have a competitor in me. The Acharya’s promise to you is fulfilled. 27

Drona: What a noble Soul! God bless you my dear boy! 28

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ಪೂರಕ ವಿಡಿಯೋಗಳು

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KSEEB Solutions for Class 7 English Prose Chapter 3 Ekalavya

Grammar Content (ವ್ಯಾಕರಣ) – Silent Letters

Grammar – Type of Sentences