57. Guru Dronacharya loudly cheered by sea of spectators

The excitement transformed into loud cheers when more princes entered the arena. Young, towering, strong, handsome, one after another they kept coming in. The spectators were happy and their expectations from the event went up. When all had entered and assumed their respective positions in the arena, another chariot seemed to speeding towards the venue. Even from a distance, the flag of the chariot, flying in full splendor in strong breeze under a clear blue sky, declared its identity. The man aboard the chariot was none other than Guru Dronacharya. As his vehicle was speeding on, the Guru, was acknowledging the rousing welcome by the thousands strong gathering. Was he tense too? Probably, yes. For it was not only challenge to individual princes to show their heroics but also for the Guru who was accountable for all of his disciples. How well has he trained the princes! From a distance, Kunti was not completely able to make out, but, the white flowing beard, long grey hair, an aura of austerity, and saffron robes were quite suggestive.. From a distance, Kunti, offered a seat by the side of Queen Gandhari, tried to get a clearer view of the chariot. Gradually, as the chariot came inside the stadium, the Guru with his white flowing beard, long grey hair was visible to the people. An aura of austerity surrounded his otherwise luminous face. The whole stadium stood up in reverence and bowed to the Acharya.

56. At last the display of heroics set to begin

There were great festivities in Hastinapur. Long queues of citizens, men, women and children in colourful robes were heading towards the newly built stadium – all busy to reach early and secure convenient seats so that they could get a better view of the princes. By noon, the stadium was packed to the hilt. People were discussing individual princes. The whole place was humming.

Since the day the event was declared, Kunti had been waiting for it. She was not impatient – rather, there were hardly any who could match her in patience. Right from the day the responsibility of the five brothers fell on her – to this day, when the guru mentioned the brothers were of outstanding calibre. To her, this was her purpose of life – her life – how she raised her  five sons.

She smiled remembering how the guru was all praises when mentioning how Yudhishthir would never stray from righteousness, ever. How Bhim could match the strength of several fleets of elephants. And how Arjun was devotion and discipline personified. Now when taking a seat about five seats left of the Queen Gandhari’s throne, her eyes were nervously searching for the princes in the vast arena.

The gathering was huge – somehow the organizers in the hindsight, now appeared farsighted to have made good arrangements. The incessant humming of impatience erupted into a pretty joyous applause as the huge iron-gate to the western end of the stadium opened – letting in few chariots.

55. Destiny pulls Karna to Hastinapuri event

Karna was startled to see his mother in a distressed condition. She had turned pale and sickly during the past few years. While serving her son food, Radha asked if he could not find time to send news of his welfare once in months. Realising that his indiscretion was the cause of his mother’s ailing health Karna felt sad and ashamed.

Before the mother and the son could have a heart to heart talk and there were so much of things Radha wanted to know from Karna, her son’s friends rushed in.  They were curious to know about Karna’s experience all these years. Though there was not enough time to tell the stories of Mahendra Parvat, Guru Parashuram and his own learning in details, every one could make out that Karna has simply undergone a metamorphosis. He was glowing with both maturity and confidence.

As for his look, it seemed he had almost turned like an ascetic, long unkempt curly hair and his face glowing. In course of talks, one of his friends mentioned about the news of the impending event at Hastinapuri, which by the by, was being discussed not only in Hastinapuri but several other countries and towns. His friends praised the princes of Hastinapuri and their Guru Dronacharya eloquently. Karna was fascinated by the news and at once resolved to visit that event. Without wasting time he asked for his mother’s permission.

Radha was deeply upset and she tried her best to dissuade her son. After all he came home after long years. She did not want to lose him once again, and so quickly. But Karna was insistent:

“O dear mother! This would be a damn good opportunity to attract the notice of the Hastinapuri royalty. Look mother. It’s duty of every son to make his parents happy. You spent all your wealth to bring me up. You only know too acutely that our economic condition is no good. Let me try to remove our hardship. Please allow me to move out of home for a career. It does not behove a Young man to sit at home while his parents, at their advanced age, keep toiling.’

Radha tried her last ruse:

‘Son, your father has gone out of town. He would be back in a couple of days. Please wait till then. For heaven’s sake till then..’

But the event was to begin shortly and Karna had to start immediately if he was to make it in time. Promising his mother that he would return very soon, Karna collected his bows and arrows and set out for Hastinapuri.

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.

53. Everyone in Hastinapuri is eager to see the princes in action

King Dhritarashtra summoned the pundits and the astrologers and asked them to determine an auspicious date for the grand event. They made a detailed study of movements of the planets  and then conferred and argued and at last settled on the precise day.  It would be a great, grand event and the feats of the Hastinapuri princes were likely to attract spectators from several parts of Bharat. Keeping in view these possibilities the King ordered for a large stadium to be constructed well in time. The architects gathered, high quality materials were brought in. With every passing day the stadium was taking little more shape. The old and the young and the children, the men, the women, all of them driven by immense curiosity, kept visiting the giant ‘structure’ that was taking shape. Gradually, the topics of discussion of the Hastinapuri citizens began to center round the impending event. People began to speculate about the skills, abilities and prowess of individual princes. As the ‘D’ day’ neared, the city was agog with speculations. For every one there was a favorite prince and there would be animated discussions amongst them with each one espousing the greatness of his own favorite. Notwithstanding these differences, which at times became emotionally charged, every one was sure of one thing – that the coming event was going to be a magnificent one.

52. Kaurava and Pandava princes have come of age - Guru Dronacharya allows them to show their heroics

The Guru was a venerable figure. Long long years ago he was one whom Lord Parashuram had found a befitting student in; and he has been the one in whom the Pitamaha found an able teacher in. Words of appreciation coming from such a one comforted the royal court.

‘How nice to hear this! I have been dying to hear precisely this. It is with considerable difficulties that I have so long managed to refrain from making inquiries. See the providence. Before I had to, you are in with this great news.’

Then the king grew little pensive:

‘Destiny has made this unfortunate a born blind. Alas, I would not be able to see the princes in action. How much I wished I could do that.’

Hours that followed the visit of the Guru were busy. Never was Pitamaha’s advice ever not been heeded to – nor was it done today. It was decided to arrange a grand demonstration – one where the citizenry would witness the martial abilities of the future governors of the state. The king had expressed great satisfaction at the advice and had Vidur immediately arrange for the event.

51. Dronacharya briefs Dhritarashtra about the learnings of the princes

The talks that the princes be invited to display their learning gathered so much momentum that the matter could no longer be kept in abeyance. But before that could take place, Guru Dronacharya was required to declare that the teachings were complete and that the princes have come of age. Eventually that day arrived and Guru Dronacharya decided to meet King Dhritarashtra.

 

It was not everyday that the guru would visit the royalty. Expectations lightened the eyes of even him who was habituated to the darkness today. It was probably not as much joy of the Guru visiting him – somehow, a glimpse into the future of the princes captured the king’s imagination.

About few minutes back, when the king and the ministers were busy dispensing some issue, Vidur more than once reminded the absence of Pitamah. Dhritharashtra felt helplessly irritated at the umpteenth reminder. But, he knew Bhishma’s indispensability to Hastinapur – more so because of his own handicap. It was just then that Bhishma had walked in – closely following him was Drona.

Now with other matters settled, Dhritharashtra found the opportunity to vent his eagerness. But, for most Aryans propriety was not something that could take the back seat.

‘Acharya, I am always eager to hear from you. Especially for past some months I was thinking to ask you of the progress of your wards – I mean the Kaurava princes. It’s good that you have chosen to step in. Tell me, how can I serve your holy being?’

‘I’m obliged, your majesty for your kind gesture. I have nothing to ask. Right from the day I stepped into your kingdom, Pitamaha has ensured that all my needs are catered to. See the coincidence. I came just to tell you that all the princes – sons of you and Pandu have completed their training. And believe me, they have emerged as excellent warriors. As far as I am aware they are the finest of princes, in the whole of the holy land of Bharat.’