Dream - A Karna SI

4. PATH

Karna - 6 years old

Yudhistira - 3 years

Bhima & Duryodhana - 2 years

Arjun - 1 years

Karna's POV

I continued going through the motions, learning any craft I could get my hands on and maintaining my physical exercises. Yet, I knew I was stagnating. The greater mysteries of this world remained tantalizingly out of reach. Every time I adapted a technique from my modern life, I had to be cautious, ensuring it didn't appear too foreign to my peers.

I knew I desperately needed a guru, but my options were limited. Expecting help from Drona or Parashuram was futile. I wasn't foolish enough to risk Parashuram's wrath by lying about my caste. The original Karn had nerves of steel to attempt such a deception. How could one lie to their teacher and hope the truth wouldn't eventually come out? As one makes a name for themselves in society, the teacher would inevitably realize the deception. The betrayal would leave the teacher heartbroken and furious. No wonder Parashuram cursed Karna.

Besides Drona and Parashuram, there was another notable teacher: Guru Sandipani, the instructor of Krishna and Balarama. Although he wasn't renowned for his martial teachings, he would still be far superior to my current options.

My friends remarked that I had been brooding lately. The timeline of the Mahabharata was also advancing: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Duryodhana and a few of his brothers had been born, and I had just turned five. I was only about three years older than Yudhishthira, not twenty as depicted in the epic. Thank the Almighty for small mercies; perhaps Vyasa took some liberties with the timeline.

I even considered going to the Himalayas in search of a guru. This frustration was a significant obstacle to my progress. I had become desperate and moody.

Then one day, an idea struck me. Why not ask my divine father for guidance? He guides the entire world; surely, he could guide me as well.

I was not a systematic worshipper in this life. I acknowledged the existence of the gods on a basic level and participated in the minimum required community rituals, but I wasn't overly religious. Therefore, when I thought of seeking Surya's blessings, figuring out how to establish communication was a new challenge.

Am I really the son of Surya, or have I hijacked his son's body? Is Surya angry with me, and is that why he hasn't contacted me? There were many questions and no one to answer them.

Finally, I decided to meditate with Surya in my mind and see where it led. If Surya was truly angry with me, he would surely make it known.

I began meditating on Surya every day after my bath. I focused my attention on the form of Surya, and it was a very calming experience, similar to concentrating on hitting a target while practicing archery. I meditated daily, but at first, I felt frustrated when I didn't sense any divine presence after a few days. However, I persisted, and gradually, all my worries began to melt away. I started to enjoy the tranquility it brought me.

One day, during my usual meditation, I was delving deeper into my layers of consciousness. I felt content and happy. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head, "When will you hear me, Son?"