46. Karna - the loyal disciple of Parashuram

Then in one pleasant morning, Parashuram called him and said:

‘Son, you have come out as a great archer, possibly one of the best in the planet. I have also taught you the highest level of warfare and given you a range of divyastras including brahmastra, which every warrior craves for. I surmise your training is over and I permit you to return home. You may decide the date and let me know.’ Karna reverently nodded and said he would do so.

A couple of days before he was to leave, Karna accompanied his Guru to a distant voyage. The day was hot and the long hours of walking made Parashuram tired and he slept under a banyan tree. He lied down placing his head on Karna’s lap. Soon he went to sound sleep. Karna kept looking all around to protect his Guru’s sleep. Suddenly he felt a very sharp, tingling pain on his thigh. Looking for the cause, he found a scorpion was gradually piercing its fangs deep inside his flesh. For once, he thought he would pluck it and throw away. But afraid that the commotion would wake his Guru up, he decided to suffer the stinging bite silently. And he did that without letting out a cry. But he could not prevent blood oozing out of the wound. Worse, the flow of the blood soon touched Parashuram’s mouth and he woke up

42. Arjun gets Brahmastra from Dronacharya

Over the next few days the Guru kept a track of both the disciples. Although he had a natural bias for his son, he could not help liking Arjun equally if not more, as the Pandava prince was proving to be more devoted, talented, self-possessed and above all a worthy learner.

In an auspicious day, the Master called Arjun and said,

‘Son, I am satisfied by your progress and intend to hand you over one of the most powerful divyastras. this is a brahmastra by category and as such infallible. Most certainly it would destroy the target. Are you ready to receive?’ he asked Arjun.

‘It is my fortune Sir, that you deem me to be fit for the weapon. I am at your feet to learn.’ – Arjun replied.

Dronacharya gave a brief background:

‘This weapon is called “Brahmashir’. My Guru Agnivesh received it from Saint Agastya and gave it to me after I pleased him with hard work and devotion. And now I give it to you as I find you to be the fittest of all my disciples including my son Aswathama, to tell you the truth. But..’ he seemed to be pondering a while keeping Arjun in great suspense.

‘But what Sir? Kindly order me. I am prepared to undergo any hardship as you may ask of me, whether you give me this weapon or not. I count your blessings more important than anything else.’ – Arjun submitted with poise, dignity and devotion.

Dronacharya did not seem to listen these words. After some pause, he continued from where he had left,

‘ But you need to promise me two things. First, you must never make a wrong use of it – in fact, on the humans as they are too weak to withstand its immense force. May be you would find it useful against brute force like demons or extra territorial forces like Gandharvas. Second, you must give me words that, should the situation demands, you will not be afraid to fight against me, your Guru,.’

Arjun agreed. Touching the lotus feet of Dronacharya, he said, ‘Master, I promise’. As the hugely powerful weapon passed from Guru to his disciple, there was a metamorphosis in Arjun’s life. His confidence grew enormously at one stroke. He had a feeling he could now fight against any force in the creation – in the world, netherworld and heaven.