47. Guru Parashuram curses disciple Karna

Parashuram was touched by Karna’s sacrifice. At the same time, he was surprised at his tolerance. He thought it proper to make enquiry to remove his doubt,

‘Son, it is extremely unlikely that a Brahmin can show such degree of tolerance. Tell me- Are you really a Brahmin? Tell me the truth, otherwise you will be destroyed.’

Karna never ever imagined this catastrophe. Crestfallen on this specific enquiry, he could not tell a lie. With a trembling heart, he submitted,

‘Oh Lord, I am son of a charioteer… not a Brahmin as I had told earlier. Forgive me Lord for this indiscretion. I had no other intention. I did this only to get you as my Master. I repent and offer myself for any punishment’- saying this Karna prostrated at the feet of his Guru.

A rage of anger overwhelmed the Parashuram, the fiery and temperamental warrior saint. He just could not withstand being hoodwinked. Fury overcame love and compassion for this bright young disciple and he pronounced a deadly curse. :

‘Boy, you are guilty of theft and treachery - you have deceived me to get all the learning all these years. Remember this, for what you have done, you will be punished. Hear this, you fool, when you would be engaged in a do or die battle, and when you will need the Brahmastra the most, in those crucial hours you shall not have any memory of it. Now, disappear from my sight!’

A pall of gloom suddenly descended on the earth. The sun for few moments seemed to lose its luminosity. Guru’s infallible curse kept reverberating across the distant mountains. The surrounding trees and mountain stood silent witness to those terrifying utterances.

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

45. Karna gets brahmastra from Parashuram

But Parashuram had a mercurial temperament and could flare up on small omissions and commissions. To avoid incurring his wrath, he took every precaution. On archery, Karna was working really hard. He would go any length to follow his Master’s precepts – practise tirelessly from dawn to dusk to make him happy and learn more weapons and take lessons on the art of warfare. Parashuram had also somehow developed a soft corner for the bright young disciple and taught him like a loving and caring father. In course of time, he gave Karna lessons in handling of divyastras. As days passed, Karna was growing as an outstanding archer. The crowning success of his apprenticeship came one day, when his Guru gave him brahmastra, one of the most powerful divaystras. Karna’s joy knew no bounds.

44. Karna training under Guru Parashuram emerging as Arjun's rival

In Mahendraparvat, another bright young person was struggling his way to become the greatest archer of the world. Equally talented as Arjun, fuelled by a burning ambition and brimming with self-confidence, Karna was learning fast from the revered warrior saint Parashuram. Parashuram, whose very name sent chill down the spine of very many famous warriors had also trained such illustrious persons as Bhisma and Dronacharya.

43. Brimming with joy Bhim embraces Arjun, Duryodhan panicky

The words soon spread around. Dhritarashtra was greatly upset. Duryodhan and his brothers were nervous. Arjun’s brothers were ecstatic. Bhim beyond himself with joy embraced his worthy younger sibling. He always had a very high regard for Arjun’s talent. But Arjun himself was quite reticent. With great poise and equanimity, he looked for opportunities to add more to his acquisitions. He continued to attend to the steadfast service of his Master, and practise very hard in the line dictated by Dronacharya. With blessings and benevolence of his worthy Guru, Arjun surpassed all other fellow disciples. Many begun calling him as the greatest archer of the planet!

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.

41. Shall be watching your progress- so said Guru Dronacharya

Two worthy disciples were listening with rapt attention. They looked at their Guru with reverence. Their eyes however sought to ask him if he finds them worthy for this purpose. The Guru understood the silent question and cleared the air:

‘I have no doubt about your competence – both of you. You have already excelled in traditional archery. I am happy you can shoot arrows in hundreds and thousands without a break. You have also managed to handle some of the primary grades of divyastras. By that capability, you have already transported yourselves to a different league - you are already admired by your fellow disciples, but’ …..,

the Master continued:

‘These little achievements must not make you complacent. You have potential to achieve more… much more, I’m sure of that. Look! The ability of a great archer is proved not so much in using a divyastra but in being able to withdraw it if the situation demands so – I mean calling back the weapon after launching it. That is indeed an extremely onerous task and requires harder training. Now I would tell you what you must do to achieve that proficiency.’

Then Dronacharya explained the matter in details to both disciples. By the time his talks ended all princes returned and the Guru permitted all of them to break for lunch. Before taking leave Arjun and Aswathama touched his revered feet, as the Master whispered into their ears: ‘I shall be watching your progress!’