KARNA : THE WARRIOR

Chapter 42

“Radheya, was everything Indradev said true? Why didn't you tell me?” Draupadi questions hung in the air.

“Answer her, Vasusen. Tell us Why? I and Duryodhana trusted you and shared our past, our joy, our insecurities with you yet you didn't deem us worthy enough to do the same. Why?” Ashwatthama spoke barely containing his fury because of the betrayal he felt at the moment.

“Calm down, Daruni,” Duryodhana attempted but it only added to drinaputr’s fury.

“You are asking me to calm down, Duryodhana? Tell me, you are feeling betrayed as well,” Ashwatthama said.

“No, I am not feeling betrayed. I believe mitra has reasons to keep this from us. I want to listen to him first,” Duryodhana said. He was more desperate than anyone but he knew he needed to calm down now and be the voice of reason else things will spiral out of control which he certainly didn't want.

Everyone was slightly taken back by his words, Duryodhana was the most short tempered and quick to anger people in the group.

“Arya is right Bharata Ashwatthama, we should listen to Bharata Karna first,” Bhanumati supported her husband.

Everyone turned towards Karna who just sighed and began speaking,

“What would you want me to say, Ashwa, that I am devputra born out of wedlock. Do you wish me to proudly declare to the world that I am an illegitimate devputra who is considered a sin and needs to be washed in waves of Bhagirathi by the woman who birthed him?” His voice was steady and calm like he was talking about something trivial.

Ashwatthama, Duryodhana, Draupadi, Bhanumati and Sushala were absolutely shocked by his demeanor, emotions and words that absolutely shouldn't match at all. Tears started streaming from the eyes of ladies while Ashwatthama and Duryodhana felt their hearts clenched.

“Yes I never wanted anyone to know this, not even pitashree and maa. I never wanted them to have a shred of doubt that their love and nurturing was not enough for me or feel remorse for not providing the childhood I supposedly should have. They were kind and generous enough to accept discarded trash and treasured it as prized possession. Should I be grateful towards them or hurt them? So Yes I am proud of being Radheya and Sutaputra rather than being suryaputra and illegitimate kshatriya,” Karna said without changing his tone or breaking his demeanor.

Almost no one has an answer to his question and deep reason why he always has this secret buried deep in heart. They didn't know how to console the man who they knew had stood beside them when needed yet they, being lost in their own spiral of turmoil, scratched the wound they should have remedied instead.

Draupadi for the first time took initiative and tightly hugged Karna. She realized unlike him she hasn't been supporting and understanding friends. Karna was taken back and the emotions bottling in him threatened to topple feeling her so close and teary face touching his chest.

Duryodhana wasn't in a good state as well, Bhanumati was clinging to him and both were crying.

Even Sushala needed support to express her grief.

“I.. am.. sorry Vasusen, I shouldn't have been so insensitive,” Ashwatthama spoke between tears. He felt guilty and remorseful of his words and actions.

“It's ok okay Ashwa.” Karna barely mumbled but everyone heard it and it only made them feel worse.

What felt eternity, but everyone managed to get a grip of their emotions.

Draupadi was still sticking very close to Karna providing him solace and peace with his presence.

“Mitra, do you know who gave you birth?” Duryodhana asked very softly.

“No, neither do I want to. I have vowed to sever all my relationships with her. I have only one mother that is Radha maa.,” Karna replied firmly.

“When did you become aware of the truth, Mitra?” Ashwatthama asked.

Karna sighed and said, “Let's all settle down and I will tell you everything.”

Everyone settled down and Karna began his story ever since he left Hastinapur determined to get his education.

It broke everyone's heart when he told how he was rejected by hundreds of Guru who discriminated against him because of his caste. At the same time they admired his determination and perseverance.

Karna then explained how in hopelessness he cried his grief to Suryanarayana not knowing their relationship and to his utter surprise his divine father came and made him aware of his birth secret.

“Wait wait, how are you Shivansh?” Ashwatthama asked.

Karna then recited a story of incidents between Mahadev and Surya Dev.  Duryodhana meanwhile was part happy for his Jyeshta and part dreading. He was very much aware that Karna was a man of his words. He didn't know how to break the news to Yudhisthir or his pitamah.

He explained how under the guidance of his divine father he reached the ashram of Bhagwan Parshuram where Shukracharya and sage Vishwamitra were already present. He told them of his test and how he became their student afterwards.

He then finally revealed that at the age of twenty the yogic Shakti of Mahadev's jata assimilated in him during deep Sadhna carrying vast knowledge and transforming him inside out. Everyone was just in awe.

Karna then told his fight against Indra was for his guru dakshina. He didn't go into details but reiterated the gist of the fight. Everyone was just flabbergasted how Karna's life story has so many twists and turns. The story did lightnined the gloomy atmosphere.

“You are really impossible, Karna. Had I been in your place I would have boasted,” Ashwatthama said jokingly.

“Yeah that's why you are not in his place. Still I couldn't believe you were keeping so much to yourself, Mitra,” Duryodhana said.

“You need to punished for it Bharata. How about we test your mastery of kala,” Bhanumati spoke with mischief apparent in her eyes. She was just jesting.

“That's not a bad idea,” Draupadi spoke startling everyone including Karna.

“We could have Bharata Karna dance, it would be so interesting,” Sushala said with impish smile.

Karna, Ashwatthama and Duryodhana were truly dumbfounded not long ago these three were crying and wailing and now suddenly out of no ehere they want the person they were grieving in behalf to dance for them. ‘Women's heart is really like deep ocean and their mood swing is dreadful.’ three shivered.

“You three are not serious l, are you?” Karna asked hesitantly.

“What do you think we are joking. I think bhabhishree Draupadi will love to accompany you in your display of mastery of dance,” Sushala spoke not even bothered to throw Draupadi under the bus.

“Sushala, you misunderstood. Bharata Karna was saying unlike us only bhabhi has rights to make him dance on her command,” Bhanumati spoke teasly.

Draupadi blushed heavily while others laughed at Karna stunned expression.