Thursday, July 26, 2012

11. Karna meets his would be Master


Although Karna had managed to keep it a closely guarded secret, he knew his destination clearly. He was prepared to travel very far to reach his coveted master in the distant mountain, Mahendra parvat. He heard about the proverbial sage warrior who had taught stalwarts like Bhisma and Dronacharya the art of using the divyastras. As he walked, high ambition and enthusiasm kept filling his heart. At the same time he also had a feeling of trepidation because the sage was equally known for his mercurial temperament.

After long days of journey, when he arrived at his Guru’s doors Karna was nearly exhausted. The sage, in his evening prayers, was seated in his asan in the courtyard. In the dying daylight his frame shone like the mid noon sun -an aura spread all around attracting awe and fear. On an extremely well-built body that stoutly defied old age, a mark of Tripundra adorned his forehead while ashes smeared on the other parts, A large glittering axe, a bow and a quiver lay near his seat. Karna sat up and waited for the sage to take notice of him.

Long hours passed before Karna would have his audience with the sage. As the Guru was slowly coming out of his meditation, Karna, both joyous and nervous at seeing the first movements, sat upright, with his palms joined.

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