In ancient India, nearly 5000 years ago, there lived a young Nishada (a tribe of hunters) prince by the name of Eklavya. Even though he was a hunter by birth, being the son of the chief of hunters in the forests of Hastinapur, he aspired to become a great archer and a brave warrior.
He expressed this desire to his father, "Father, I want to be an archer and become a disciple of the great Guru Dronacharya - the greatest teacher of the art of archery and the science of warfare in the kingdom. Please give me your blessings before I set out for his Gurukul."
His father remained silent. Eklavya knew what was bothering his father. He said, "Father, I know we are Shudras, belonging to the hunting tribe. But the Guru is a wise and learned man. Please allow me to become his disciple."
Eklavya's father was a kind man and did not wish to refuse his son. So he gave his blessings and sent his son on his way.
Eklavya reached the Gurukul of Guru Dronacharya - who was also the royal teacher of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Thrilled at the prospect of finally meeting the Guru he had idolized, his eyes eagerly sought out the teacher. He soon spotted him instructing a boy - none other than the Pandava Arjuna.
Eklavya went to Drona and folded his hands in greeting, bowing down low to touch the sage's feet. Drona was surprised to see the stranger and asked him, "Who are you?"
"Oh Guru, I am Eklavya, the son of the Chief of the Nishada tribe of hunters in the forests of Hastinapur. Please accept me as your humble shishya and teach me the art of archery and the science of warfare", replied Eklavya.
Dronacharya reflected for a minute, then said, "Eklavya, if you are a Nishada hunter, then you are a Shudra, the lowest caste in the kingdom. I am a Brahmin, the highest of castes. All my students are Kshatriyas, the warrior caste. I cannot teach a Shudra boy."