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.
