Guru Dronacharya
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The Guru that Gurgaon/ Gurugram is named after
The Times of India, Apr 14 2016
Khattar gives a thumbs up to a casteist and anti-Dalit guru
Lalit Mohan Coming as it did on the eve of the birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar, the timing of the announcement of Gurgaon's name change could not have been worse. Because the Guru of Mahabharata was casteist and anti-Dalit, and the attempt to rename the city after him, as his supposed village, could easily backfire.
Since the Haryana government has reopened the issue, the story needs to be retold.It appears that Dronacharya had promised his star pupil Arjun that he would be the world's best archer. So, when the Dalit lad Eklavya approached him for tuition, he was spurned by Drona on grounds of his being of low caste, and not fit to be tutored along with princes.
But, undeterred, the boy crafted an idol of Drona and prayed to it for the desired skill. His devotion bore fruit and news of his archery feats reached the Pandavas. This disturbed Arjun very much. He asked the Guru how could anyone else be his peer, or even better than him. The teacher then made inquiries and traced Eklavya. Upon being asked how he acquired such expertise in wielding the bow and arrow, the young boy told him of how he had worshipped his idol.
So, the Guru then said to Eklavya, “If you are my pupil. Pay me my gurudakshina.“ The Dalit lad consented immediately .“Then give me your right thumb,“ said the heartless `teacher'. Without a murmur, Eklavya severed his thumb and gave it him. And, of course, Arjun was greatly relieved. Eklavya belonged to the Nishada caste. The Guru had to show him his place.
Recently , Dalit poet Omved wrote this piece: If you had kept your thumb history would have happened somewhat differently.But you gave your thumb and history also became theirs.Eklavya since that day they have not even given you a glance.Forgive me, Eklavya, I won't be fooled now by their sweet words.My thumb will never be broken.
Every city wants to forge some etymological link with ancient people or places to establish some pedigree. But this is one of the most odious instances of caste injustice in our mythology and honour for the perpetrator of this deed is uncalled for. That alone is reason enough not to name the city after Guru Dronacharya.
Besides, other cities that witnessed recent name changes merely reverted to what they were before the British decided to call them by new monikers. But where is the evidence that Gurgaon was Gurugram; either in history, or in mythology? The teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas would have lived in some village and it may even have been called Gurugram.But where do the ancient scriptures say that this was located at what we know now as 28.46°N and 77.02°E, the coordinates of present day Gurgaon? However, if the government of Haryana in its collective faith believes that he did, indeed, reside here, then Eklavya would also have lived close by . Therefore, in the interest of long pending social and criminal justice, let his name be resurrected and celebrated. If any statues have to be erected, let them depict the archery skill of the underprivileged, but brilliant and gallant lad.
