Dream - A Karna SI

6. JOURNEY

Karna - 8 years old

Yudhistira - 5 years

Bhima & Duryodhana - 4 years

Arjun - 3 years

Nakula & Sahdeva - 0 years

KARN's POV

A new routine took shape for me. After my morning ablutions, I would meditate, receiving daily instructions from Surya to practice throughout the day. Sometimes, Surya appeared in my dreams, teaching me the intricacies of warfare.

He revealed notable battles from history, allowing me to observe the strategies and actions of both sides. These were invaluable learning experiences.

Surya also instructed me to venture into the nearby forests and fight wild beasts with my bare hands. Thanks to my kavach and kundals, I was immune to their claws and fangs, but I still had to contend with their strength and weight. This became clear during encounters like a bull charge or a leopard's leap. I learned new grappling techniques and ways to evade attacks.

In the afternoons, I continued my impromptu coaching of my peers. Some were becoming notable, such as Bhusan, Avindhya, my brothers Sangramjeet and Satrunjaya. My pupils started being called the Nav-Vahini (New Brigade), initially in jest due to my unorthodox teaching methods, but the name eventually stuck.

Two years passed like this. By the age of seven, I felt I had progressed far from my initial years. I could now defeat half a dozen archers working together. It was exhilarating to fire arrows that precisely cut down incoming arrows. My opponents were astonished by my acrobatics during fights. In regular mall-yuddha (wrestling) competitions, I was untouchable.

One day, Surya told me I had reached the limit of my studies while staying in the village. It was time to venture into the dense forests and move towards the Himalayas for further training.

I began planning my departure. I informed everyone that I was leaving in search of a gurukul for my studies. I created a regimen for the Nav-Vahini, advising them to adhere to the training until my return.

My parents were sad but understanding, as it was common for students to go to a gurukul in this era. With a few frugal belongings, I set out for the Himalayas. When I shaved my head, marking the formal start of my training, Radha was in tears, and even Adhiratha had moist eyes, realizing I was embarking on my educational journey. Their emotions deeply touched me. They knew I was not their biological child, yet they had given me so much love and adoration. I bowed down to their feet and moved on. Sangramjeet and Satrunjaya were sad but also excited, urging me to come back and teach them everything I learned.

I quickly crossed cities and villages, entering the heart of the forest. Guided by Surya, I trekked towards Gandhamadan Parvat. Though it was a fortnight's journey on foot, it took me around 45 days. Each day brought practical lessons in navigating difficult terrain and taming wild game. I wrestled with wild buffaloes, boars, and leopards. Occasionally, I encountered tigers, which tested my limits in barehanded combat.

Gradually, the forest transformed from mango, neem, and pipal trees to pines as I ascended the Himalayas. Trekking along the mountain ranges, the temperature dropped, and I was awestruck by the untouched beauty of the landscape. The land was raw and nature reigned supreme. Scores of animals inhabited the area, their sounds blending with the rustling leaves and the wind.

As the forests dwindled, snowy peaks began to dominate the vista. I continued my training and hunted wild game for sustenance. With Surya's guidance, I crossed three mountain ranges before finally reaching Gandhamadan parvat and arriving at the ashram of Rishi Asti. The ashram had few dwellers. I sent a message to the Kulpati (head of the dwelling), requesting entrance, and was summoned to meet him right away.

I handed over my weapons to the brahmacharis and proceeded towards the Kulpati. Rishi Asti sat on a kushaasan (grass mat), a man of intermediate age with greying hair. His head was crowned with a mat of jata (matted hair), and his face sported a full beard.

I bowed deeply. "Maharishi, I am Karna, son of suta Adhiratha of Hastinapur."

Maharishi smiled. "No need to be bashful, son. I had advance information of your arrival. Still, I would like to know, what do you plan on doing here?"

His demeanor put me at ease. Thank you, divine father. "I wish to dwell near your ashram and continue my martial training, as my guru has commanded. I will follow all the ashram's rules and will be in your debt if you allow me to use your training grounds."

"So, you intend to be everything a brahmachari of this ashram is without being my disciple?" Maharishi laughed.

I felt ashamed, chastising myself. It seemed I had yet to shed my ingrained habit of coming directly to the point. In this era, knowledge was the most coveted and protected commodity. It was shrouded in mystery and shared from guru to shishya in secret, not readily available to the masses.

"I apologize for my presumption, Maharishi. Please forgive me."

"Don't be bashful, my boy. The will of Lord Surya will be done. Make this place your home and work hard. Your path will be full of thorns and unimaginable hardships. You will face much pain in the future, but that's why you were chosen. The gods only choose those who can endure, who can take a lot of pressure and not buckle. So, make every day count here, Karna, and learn everything you can." Asti's eyes glowed like burning embers, their intensity seeming to sear my very soul.