50. Hastinapuri is eager to see Kaurava and Pandava princes in action

And soon the people of hastinapuri began to grow impatient to see their princes exhibit the prowess. After all, the security, progress and prosperity of the kingdom and all its people rested on these younger royalties in the years ahead. They wanted to be reassured of that fact. The keenness was no lesser amongst the royalties as well. Except probably Pitamaha Bhisma who had less curiosity but more concerns. All these years he was keeping a keen watch over the training of the princes and he had now a fairly good idea of the accomplishment of each of them. He knew the Pandavas and in particular Bhim and Arjun have already left the others way behind. He realised that once these disparities became public knowledge the vacillating king Dhritarashtra would be stung with dark jealousy. At the same time, it was only reasonable that the long years’ of training ought to culminate in a public demonstration. The citizens too had a legitimate right to see their princes in action and celebrate.

49. Bhim and Duryodhan - who is more powerful?

Even as the training of the princes, Kauravas and Pandavas, were coming to an end Hastinapuri began to be filled with different kinds of rumours. The ordinary people could hardly understand the nuances of the lessons that the princes mastered over last several years, but some news, emanating intermittently from the training camps, were too weighty not to move them. That Bhim and Duryodhan both developed the highest level of skills in handling of their maces was one such. It became a matter of frequent discussion amongst the citizens, most of whom had a soft corner for the middle Pandava. The story of Duryodhan’s attempt to administer poison to and drowning Bhim in the Ganges some years ago, though was never officially accepted, had no difficulty in evoking complete acceptance of the masses. They were unhappy to reconcile to the assumption that Duryodhan was an equal to their favourite Bhim. But then, some amongst them claiming some kinds of special expertise in the matter of warfare, would comfort these citizens saying Bhim had some special skills which he would most certainly bring round in the event of a duel. They also pointed out that as per as physical strength went, Bhim was head and shoulder above. The citizens also discussed about Yudhisthir’s skill in fighting with the spear, and the experise of Nakul and Sahadev in sword fight and horse riding. What however obviously surpassed all these stuff was the news that their very favoured prince Arjun has received the most powerful weapon on the earth – the Brahmastra from Guru Dronacharya.

Thus both the palace and the roads, the royalties and the masses began to discuss more and more about the profile of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes at the end of their formal training.

48. Karna, the young archer, determined to overcome his terrifying destiny

Karna broke into tears: ‘Lord, I take your curse on my head. But kindly shed your anger and forgive me.’ He fell at the feet of Parashuram and sobbed. But the curse was a fait accompli and Karna deemed it as his destiny. 

Once again asking for forgiveness, Karna prepared to return home. As he walked down the road, he reasoned he should not unduly worry about the curse. Death was inevitable for every one. His Guru’s curse would be operative on such a fateful day. But till then, he could take the world by storm with his might.

Thus began the eventful journey of a hero, who gathered grit and determination to defy destiny.

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.