54. Karna the young archer returns from Guru's ashram to his home

Even as Hastinapuri was getting ready to witness a magnificent event, the destiny was pulling another bright Youngman inexorably towards it. Would he be a surprise participant in the great exhibition that was meant for only the princes? We do not know as yet. For the time being let’s follow him  in his journey.

Karna was returning from Mahendraparvat to his home at Champavati. It was after a long period of training. As long as he was in his Guru’s ashram, he was totally absorbed in the lessons the Guru had imparted. So focused he had been all those years that he forgot everything and everyone-  his home, his parents, his friends, in fact he grew oblivious of most of his old identity. He was a changed person by the time he came out of the ashram.

Now as he began his journey back home, the old memories began to visit him.  The beautiful small town of Champavati, the expanse of green paddy fields, the vast serene stream of the Ganges  flowing by the town’s east endlessly chatting with her banks, and his foster parents (whom he knew as real parents).

At home in Champavati, Karna’s parents had been spending few anxious years. They had no definite clues as to his whereabouts. Karna was their only son and they found it very hard to live without him. Every day seemed a year. His mother Radha, was so distressed that she gradually lost nearly all attractions for life. For last few months she spent most of the time in the small temple inside the house praying intently to the Almighty to bring her son back to home. One day, when Radha was in the midst of her prayers, the door bell rang….. once, twice and thrice. Exactly the way Karna used to do when he was a small boy and returned to the house at the sunset after playing with friends. Deep inside her heart some one told that her son has returned. So she moved to the front door, her heart beating fast out of intent expectation and the fear lest that may not turn out to be true. With great trepidation Radha opened the door. And her dear son was right in front. She broke into unbridled tears of joy and embraced her son.