God of War

Meeting the parents

Hastinapur, After Kalapradarshan

Both Radha and Adirath returned to their house from the Kalapradarshan. Just like other citizens, Radha and Adhirath also expected an easy victory of the devputras but today whatever happened forced them to think that maybe the Kauravas were not completely useless. No ...it was not true that they suddenly started liking them as old habits die hard. Till now they thought of them as bad omens and Pandavas the God themselves. Even today some people thought that Kauravas used Black magic to defeat Pandavas, and bechara Devputras were sooo innocent that they fell victims of that tricks and magic. But Adhirath stayed with Bheesm for a long time. He knew that today the Kauravas won by a fair fight, in fact, magic was used by Drona to help Arjun to win. 

Both of them returned to their house silently. For the last 14 years, they were yearning for their son whom Vidur took to Rishi Ved Vyas's Ashram. For the first couple of months, Radha cried every night for her son. Adhirath also begged many times to Bheesma and Vidur to give him permission to go to the Ashram to see his son, but both of them sternly forbade him. But one day both of them saw a dream. In the dream, they saw a Dev sitting on a chariot pulled by seven rainbow-colored horses.  They realized that he was none other than Suryadev himself. Lord Surydev not only assured them of their son's safety but also show them some vision of their son staying happily in the Ashram. He also said that after 14 years, their son would return to them. In the morning both of them felt happy and rejuvenated. Since then they were sad but knew that Karna was safe and one day he would return home.  

When they entered their house's courtyard, they saw a young man was sitting on the Veranda. Even in the dark, the man seemed glowing and he looked very familiar. Adhirath asked, 'Who are you Mahoday? You looked very familiar....Do I know you?'

Before the man said anything Radha shrieked, 'Radheya, is that you?'

Karna smiled, 'Radhama, how do you recognize me even in the dark?'

Radha rushed towards him and hugged him saying, 'I am your mother, how can I not recognize the most precious thing of my life? You are exactly the same I saw you.'

Karna bowed down and touched his parents' feet. Radha started crying in joy while Adhirath was also very happy seeing his son after such a long time. Then Radha started fussing over his son, 'Radheya, you must be very hungry? Wait let me make something for you.'

She entered the kitchen. Before going to the Kalapradarshan, she prepared some dry foods for their dinner but it was only for two persons. Because of the Kalpradarshan the market was also closed today. So Radha decided to give what she prepared for herself to her son. She came out with two plates in her hands and asked both the father and son to eat but Karna insisted, 'Radhama, you also please sit with us and have food.'

Radha hurriedly said, 'I am not hungry son, I will eat later.'

Karna requested, 'Please Radhama, please go to the kitchen and bring your plate as well, I know why you are saying this, but we all will share your food together. How can I eat while my mother is starving?'

On Karna's insistence, Radha entered the kitchen and brought her plate as well. She was sad thinking, 'Hey Narayan, today my son returned after a long time but I am such an unfortunate mother, who cannot give my son enough food. Because of Hastinapur's current situation, every poor household is suffering from lack of enough foods.' 

She wiped her tears and took her plate. All three of them divide the foods among them and started eating while talking. They asked Karna about his work in Sage Ved Vyas's ashram, while Karna gave them some vague answers not disclosing anything about his actual training. After some time Radha and Adhirath realized that they had enough food in their stomach and their hunger were subsided. For the last couple of months, they were accustomed, having less amount of food due to the famine that hit Hastinapur. Every food product was excessively expensive because the evil businessmen were hoarding the food grains and raised the price. But today they felt as if magically the amount of food increased on their plates. Bewildered they looked at each other, while Karna smiled secretly.