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.

9. Karna, the son of the Sun salutes his father

The dawn was about to break over Champa Nagari. The darkness that had so far enveloped the earth was bidding hasty retreat. On one ghat upon the bank of the river Bhagirathi, a boy in his late teens- just bathed, stood facing the east. The Sun was just about to ascend – in the meanwhile it was sending advance signals to the horizon of his arrival. It seemed dusts of crushed red ochre sprinkled the eastern sky giving it a pinkish glow. Soon the sun rose and its dancing image shone in the clear streaming water making it a resplendent sight. The tender sunlight fell at the tall, lean, handsome bare body of the boy. The complexion of his skin put the glitter of pure gold to shame. His facial features bore definite marks of a noble prince. But he wore a simple dhoti and that could be perplexing to any onlooker.

 

Completely unmindful of the surroundings, the boy saluted the Sun God and with folded hands reverently chanted:

          Jabakusum-o- sankasham Kashyapeyong mahaduyotim

                   Dhantarim sarbo-papoghnam prnotohosmi Divakaram

His strong, firm yet melodious voice reverberated all around. So intense and sincere were his prayers that even Sun seemed to stop for a moment, acknowledge, and then resume his journey across the sky. At that wee hours there were very few people present around. But those present were almost regulars in that ghat and witnessing this daily ritual was an attraction for them.

By the time he was finished with the ritual, his mother Radha came to call him. Her voice sounded a mix of sadness on account of an impending separation from a dear one and anxiety of the unknown:

-‘Son Karna, hurry up, must have enough food before you start. Also have to check up what to carry’

Those around knew that the young boy was set to leave Champa Nagari in search of a Guru. The profession of his adopting father Adhirath had never interested him. Though he was not aware, the blood of the loftiest of the Khsatriya royalty ran in his veins. Not only did he master the scriptures from local scholars, driven by instinct he learnt the art of warfare and archery from a number of teachers. However, the thirst of sea could obviously not be met with a cup-full of water. Every bit of his existence prompted him to go out to the wide expanse of the world in search of the right Guru. He had all the makings of a world great and he always felt an urge to be one in life.