Saturday, December 28, 2013

Commorative Postage Stamp issued on Eklavya : 27th December, 2013



Ekalavya is a character from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. He was a young prince of the Nishadha, a confederation of jungle tribes in Ancient India. Ekalavya aspired to study archery in the gurukul of Guru Dronacharya, the greatest known teacher in the use of weaponry and martial art knowledge at the time. He was son of Vyatraj Hiranyadhanus, a talented soldier in the army of King of Magadha. Magadha was ruled by Jarasandha, who was at odds with the Kingdom of Hastinapura. Ekalavya sincerely sought the mentor of Dronacharya in weaponry and martial art. Ekalavya is called as one of the foremost of kings in the Rajasuya Yagna where he honours Yudhishthira with his shoes. Though he didn't have his right thumb, he was noted as a very powerful archer and charioteer..
India Post issued a commemorative stamp on Eklavya on 27th December 2013.