Ekalabya Poem by NRUSINGHA MISHRA

Ekalabya in Mahabharat epic born of a tribal family with high ambition With an undyng passion to become archer of incomparable dimension Brave to approach the greatest Brahmin teacher in the King's court Busy in teaching the art to the princes with no attention to the guest Impressed with youngman's courage asked his orgin and family descent Teacher was shocked to find his lowly birth and downward caste Expressing his indebtedness to the royal family sent the sudent dejected With determination built replica of the teacher to teach fully committed The lonely statue in the forest was live and full in spirit and inspiration The hunter began his sadhana in his Guru's presence with devotion Became the best archer of his time and defeated all the princes Teacher was impressed to witness the youngman's prowess Time came for the student to prove his strength to the teacher Who took the thumb of his right finger as dakhina from the archer None of the royal princes could match the feat of the young hunter Remained as an exemplary figure for all generations to remember