60.Karna arrives at Hastinapuri stadium

Even as the preparations were in full swing in Hastinapuri stadium, one bright handsome young archer was rushing to that city. It was a question of life and death for him to reach there in time. Of course he was not sure if he would be allowed to take part in the show. He was told that chances were bleak. The competition was restricted to the princes. He was fhe son of a charioteer. Was his hope very unrealistic? Could be. But Karna did not want to be bothered by any negative thought. He was brimming with confidence. He felt, none of the princes could compete with him on merit. So, he liked to think, how could mere formalities restrict an archer of his calibre from showing his talents to the royalty, elites and masses of Hastinapuri? Probably he also thought that his showing at such an assembly would fetch him a royal assignment-, one that would wipe out all kinds of financial distress of his parents!

With all the money in hand, Karna had hired a chariot. The charioteer was rushing his horses. Their hooves hit the soil hard and left trails of dust-storm behind. Hastinapuri was still a few miles away. Karna was impatient. He implored the charioteer to drive even faster knowing fully well that the horses were overworked. By the time Karna’s vehicle reached the main gate, the tournament just started

59. The show begins

With permissions from the guru, the demonstrations began.

Every form of arms handling was displayed – archery, mace, sword, spear, simiter – what not. The archers kept shooting down targets repeatedly to the loud cheering  of the sea of people assembled. Stationary targets were replaced by those in motion – but, that did not make much of a difference. While sometimes duels were fought, at other times a prince would singularly defend himself against large groups. So sublime was their expertise, it seemed the eagerness of the spectator had succumbed to their awe.

Many gave fascinating display of driving chariots – they drove these at such speed and with such control that left spectators speechless. Some of the princes showed great skill in riding horses and elephants. The spectators were ecstatic seeing such wonderful feats.

58. Dronacharya takes a final look

The guru felt great satisfaction today. It was a day of demonstration of not just what the princes learnt – today the world would witness too what he taught his young royal disciples all these years. Dronacharya was full of expectations. And suddenly a vague feeling arose in him that seemed to say his long period of waiting to realise an important goal was coming to an end. He tried to track that thought to its origin and there he saw the cruel visage of King Drupad mocking at him.  He reckoned that the day of revenge was not far off. But of course this was not the time to ponder over a thing that was very personal. He had great responsibility to demonstrate before King Dhritarashtra, Pitamaha Bhisma, to entire royalty and above all the people of Hastinapuri that he had made invincible warriors of these young princes. And then he looked around and saw one of these princes wearing milky white robes, silver armour dazzling on his handsome tall body- inches taller than his own self, but standing with hands folded in reverence and waiting for command. This young Prince Arjun delighted him.

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.