A piece from Mahabharatha

I will be out of circulation for the next fortnight, as I am underataking a pilgrimage tour, and will be back in Dec. The number of postings in November is not much and would like to see some intersting postings from the gen-next, as well as the one next.
Just before leaving for this tour, I thought I should pen a few lines, and decided that Mythology would be the topic. There is this story about Karna, which I have narrated "n" number of times to any and every one with or without a prompting. This I thought would therefore be the easiest to post, and here I am. It is never easy to do an encore, as poignantly as the frst one, but let me hope I do justice.

Just before the commencement of the 18 day war between the Pandavas, and the kauravas, Lord Krishna visits Karna, to reveal to Him, about his origins of birth, and see his reactions to any suggestion to dump Duryodhan, and join the pandavas.

Krishna thus tells Karna about the latter being the senior most Pandava, born to kunti in her chldhood when she tests a "mantra" given to her to invoke any God she chooses to beget a son. Karna was born by Kunti's invoking Lord Suryadev to give her a child. Since she was not even married at that time, the child Karna, was abandoned by her etc etc. Being thus the senior most Pandava, and since Dharma is on Pandavas side, it is only fair that he joins Yudhishter, in this Holy War.

Karna is just overwhelmed to know this truth about his birth. He will no longer have to bear the taunts of being an charioteer's adopted son, with neither his parentage, nor his race be ever questioned. He is however angry initially at his mother Kunti, for abandonng him, and virtually depriving him of royal chidhood. Great as he is though, he is able to immediately understand the young girl's helplessness, when she finds herself with a kid, and quickly rids himself of all his reservations about her. Then he addresses Krishna thus:

" Oh Krishna, knowing you well, I am sure you have not told Yudhishter yet, and I do pray that you dont. As once Yudhishter learns about this, he will revisit the peace initiative with Duryodhana, with the fact that it is Karna who as the eldest who has to be offered part of the kingdom, and not he Yudhishter. He will just forego everything and offer Hastnapur to me.

Cunning as he is, Duryodhana will only be too happy to part with half kingdom to his friend (me). He will later ask for it back, as a grant, which, Krishna, I will be unable to refuse. If this were to happen, and I am sure this will, then, the whole purpose of your avatar, -namely to restore Dharma and to reduce Bhoomdevis burden, - will be defeated. It will only be most apt therefore that I remain with Duryodhana, Yudhishter not being in the know, and the war proceeds in conformance with the providential design, and your purpose of this avatar is fulfilled."

I was moved by this when I heard it, and find that this is more poignant when the narration is in "verbal" form. Karna's greatness, is still captured well here, is my hope.

I do hope you will all enjoy this, especially ones who are hearing it the first tme.

Love

Vichu