Krishna killed Ekalavya.
In the epic Mahabharata, specifically within the Drona-Parva, it is explained that Krishna took Ekalavya's life. This act was driven by a crucial strategic and ethical consideration regarding the impending Kurukshetra War.
The Reason Behind Ekalavya's Death
Ekalavya, a formidable and self-taught archer from the Nishada tribe, possessed unparalleled skill. His potential alignment in the great war was a significant factor. Krishna, foreseeing the future, explained that he killed Ekalavya because Ekalavya would have inevitably sided with the Kauravas. Such an alliance, given Ekalavya's extraordinary prowess, would have severely impeded or even prevented the establishment of Dharma (righteousness and moral order) that was the ultimate goal of the war.
The decision to eliminate Ekalavya was thus portrayed as a necessary measure to ensure the victory of righteousness and to pave the way for a just outcome in the Dharma Yuddha (war for righteousness).
Key Aspects of Ekalavya's Killing
To summarize the critical details:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Killer | Krishna |
| Victim | Ekalavya |
| Primary Reason | To prevent Ekalavya from siding with the Kauravas |
| Ultimate Objective | To ensure the establishment of Dharma |
| Source in Mahabharata | Drona-Parva |
This action, though controversial to some, is presented within the narrative as a strategic intervention by Krishna to steer the course of events towards the re-establishment of cosmic order.
