"THE GURU".

"GURU".I heard this word for the First time when I was in Class IV.
It was everything to do with a Teacher, A Guide, a Trainer.,Shri.Dronacharya, and Eklavya.We all are aware of this particular page in "Mahabharatha".
Let us refresh ourselves once again..

In the Mahabharatha,[1] Ekalavya is introduced as a young prince of the lowly Nishadha tribes. Ekalavya was born to Devashrava (brother of Vasudeva, who was father of Krishna)[2] and was raised by Hiranyadhanus, the leader (King) of the Nishadhas, who was a commander in the army of Jarasandha (the king of Magadha)[3].

Desirous of learning advanced skills of archery, he seeks the tutelage of Drona, the legendary weaponsmaster of and instructor of Arjuna and his brothers. Drona, however, rejects Ekalavya on account of the prince's humble origins.


Ekalavya is undeterred and goes off into the forest where he fashions a clay image of Drona. Worshipping the statue as his preceptor, he begins a disciplined program of self-study. As a result, Ekalavya becomes an archer of exceptional prowess, superior even to Drona's best pupil, Arjuna. One day while Ekalavya is practicing, he hears a dog barking. Before the dog can shut up or get out of the way, Ekalavya fires seven arrows in rapid succession to fill the dog's mouth without injuring it. The Pandava princes come upon the "stuffed" dog, and wonder who could have pulled off such a feat of archery. Searching the forest, they find a dark-skinned man dressed all in black, his body besmeared with filth and his hair in matted locks. It is Ekalavya, who introduces himself to them as a pupil of Drona.

Arjuna fears that Ekalavya may have eclipsed him in skill with the bow. As a result, Arjuna complains to his teacher Drona, reminding Drona of his promise that he would allow no other pupil to be the equal of Arjuna. Drona acknowledges Arjuna's claim, and goes with the princes to seek out Ekalavya. He finds Ekalavya, as always, diligently practicing archery. Seeing Drona, Ekalavya prostrates himself and clasps the teacher's hands, awaiting his order.

Drona asks Ekalavya for a dakshina or deed of gratitude that a student owes his teacher upon the completion of his training. Ekalavya replies that there is nothing he would not give his teacher. Drona cruelly asks for Ekalavya's right thumb, knowing that its loss will hamper Ekalavya's ability to pursue archery. Ekalavya, however, cheerfully and without hesitation severs his thumb and hands it to Drona. For his part, Arjuna is relieved to find that the crippled Ekalavya can no longer shoot with his former skill and facility.

Why did Drona request that Ekalavya cripple himself? Was Drona justified in making such a request? The Mahabharata is clear that Drona acted in order to protect Arjuna's status as the greatest archer. However, the Mahabharata does not answer the question whether Drona was ultimately justified. The story thus leaves room for interpretation and moral speculation.

I read the story over and over again trying to find out what a GURU was.
Was Dronacharya a Guru ? Was Eklavya a Disciple ?
However hard I tried,I could not get myself to respect this so called Guru.
Of What use is a Guru who does not want his Disciple to make use of his mastered learnings ? What is the purpose of his Existence as a GURU ?

Similarly, in our lives we meet some people whom we Label as "GURU".
I'm sure the above story can offer a Guideline for all of us to term someone as a GURU.
Once I came across a small child of ten years who was walking with his so called Guru,a Pick-Pocket.I overheard their conversation wherein the so called Guru was teaching him how to be an Ace in the trade....The child was listening to every word with respect and Astonishment..Was he a Guru ? No......Not at All.
He did teach him the Art of pickpocketing and also would help the child make use of the same....But Was he a Guru ? No....
Because he used the Child for his own Selfish Gains and not to make him a Respectable Human being..
A True Guru only Gives ,not Ask.He will not use his Disciples for his personal Gain.
But it will be Solely for the Purpose of Passing on the Learnings and create his Mirror Image so that he Lives Forever,through his teachings .

So Frinds,.....Think Thrice and not Twice before you accept a "GURU" in your Life.