Ekalavya was a prince in a country of certain aborigines. He went to Acharya Drona, the great teacher of archery, in order to learn that art. Drona would not accept anybody as his disciple who was not a Kshatriya. Ekalavya, therefore, had to come back from him, but he came with the resolute determination to learn archery at all costs. He went into the forest and, setting up an image of Drona as his Guru, began to practise penances in order to attain success. One day Drona, with Arjuna and others, went into the forest on a hunting excursion. They had a dog with them which, on seeing Ekalavya dressed in dark clothes and with long flowing hair, from a distance, began to bark. The barking of the dog roused Ekalavya from his meditation and in order to silence it he aimed a “Shabdabhedi” arrow (i.e. one which is aimed and shot merely with the aid of the victim’s voice). The accuracy of the aim surprised Arjuna who himself had not learnt how to shoot the “Shabdabhedi” arrow, and he told his Guru Drona that they, must go and see who had shot the arrow. They all went and found Ekalavya engaged in archery practice. When asked who his teacher was, Ekalavya said that Acharya Drona was his Guru. Drona suggested to him that if that was so he should pay him his Gurudakshina (i. e. the teacher’s fee). When Ekalavya said that he was prepared to do so, Drona revealed his identity and asked Ekalavya to give him as his fee the thumb of his right hand. Without demur Ekalavya cut off the thumb and presented it to Drona. Arjuna was astonished at this exhibition of noble spirit in one who was born of a lowly caste.