The last few prahar's had been no less than a nightmare for Karna ........
. . .
Karna sat in the Surya Mandir, pouring his heart out to his aradhya. His thoughts were consumed with worry for his mother, who had been enduring so much pain and suffering. He longed to cry, to release the overwhelming emotions that threatened to engulf him, but he held back the tears. He couldn't show weakness, not when his mother needed him to be strong.
"Bhagwan, why is my mother being hurt so badly? Why is Pitashree so enraged with Mata? Why are you so aggrieved on her? " Karna wept. "I am aware of my occasionally inappropriate behaviour, but why is my mother being punished by everyone?"
"I am aware that everyone is anxiously awaiting the birth of my baby brother, including myself. I can't wait to embrace and play with him," Karna continued, his voice choked with tears. "But I am patient. Why can't everyone see that Mata is doing her best?"
Karna had been sitting beside his mother, caressing her forehead with his little hands. Karna daydreamed about how he would play and spoil his baby brother or sister to his heart's content. He may have more than one sibling, according to some. Karna was grinning from ear to ear at this. As he caught his mother's eye when she was sleeping, he felt more respect and affection than ever.
Even as a little child, Karna could tell that his mother had a difficult time over the previous six months. He frequently heard his father and, on occasion, his great grandmother confronting his mother about her protracted pregnancy.
Karna could always see the underlying suffering in his mother Gandhari's heart, despite the fact that she constantly smiled and acknowledged them. He would occasionally even witness his mother sobbing in her quarters or in front of her aradhya.
When he tried to comfort his mother, Gandhari would always take him into her arms and remark, "These are tears of pleasure, putra," whenever he sought to console her.
"I am so grateful to Suryadev for blessing me with a precious child like you. And soon, I will be the mother of a hundred more sons. No woman is more blessed than me."
Karna could do nothing but hug his mother tightly, overwhelmed with love and respect for her. Even in her misery, she remained a pillar of strength and love, inspiring him to be strong for her sake .
As Karna sat lost in thought in the Surya Mandir, a sudden commotion from outside jolted him back to reality. Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted towards the chamber upon hearing his father's ominous voice echoing through the halls. As he arrived, he was greeted by a sight he had never witnessed before. Dhritarashtra strode in with a heavy countenance, devoid of any warmth or affection that Karna had known. The sight filled Karna's heart with fear and apprehension, his senses heightened with the unknown .
