Retaining the use of his thumb Akalavya could not have been defeated in battle by the Danavas, the celestials, the Rakshasas and the serpents, all united together in battle.
एकलव्यं हि साङ्गुष्ठमशक्ता देवदानवाः। सराक्षसोरगाः पार्थ विजेतुं युधि कर्हिचित्॥