Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Rishi Vaishampayana narrates; the huge audience assembled in the
pavilion was anxiously searched for the voice of the warrior, they witnessed
the valorous Karna in glorious shield and ear stud, holding bow and arrow majestically
walked like a colossal mountain towards the arena. Karna was born as a personification of Lord
Surya to Prutha while she was a young maiden.
Karna, the destroyer of enemies
has attractive physical features, wide and beautiful eyes walked into the
pavilion resembled the chief of elephants.
He has the brilliance of Lord Surya, charisma of Lord Chandra and courage
of Lord Agni.
Karna who has attained immense strength and wide knowledge in the
science of armaments stood gracefully before the audience. He closely observed the pavilion and
carelessly paid obeisance to Dronacharya and Kripacharya. The entire crowd anxiously observed Karna
with thousands of questions popped in their minds ‘Who is he? Karna who is well versed in the speech raised
his thunderous voice and spoke to Partha ‘ Oh ! Partha, I am well capable to
perform all the war tactics in a superior way than you have performed just now,
that will surprise you for a big time.”
It created huge chaos amongst the audience; they rose from their seats
in a state of anxiety. Vipatsu/Arjuna
hung down his head in extreme rage, Duryodhana was most delightful. Karna performed all the war tactics with the
permission of Dronacharya which was similar to Partha’s presentation before the
huge audiences. Duryodhana with his
brothers rushed towards Karna and embraced him.
Duryodhana said “ Oh ! Great warrior, you are welcome to the royal
family of Kurus. I gained you as my companion
due to the good deeds in my previous life.
Enjoy your life magnificently with us and serve the Kingdom of
Hasthinapur.” Karna replied “Oh ! Prince
your generous words made me extremely happy and I will treat that I have
attained all the marvelous things you have pronounced; I also desired your
companionship. I eagerly wish to fight
against Arjun.” Duryodhana said ‘Oh! Destroyer
of enemies! You will have all the luxuries of royal life and take pleasure in
it with all of us. Do well to your
companion and destroy his enemies.”
Rishi Vaishampayana continued, Arjuna felt affronted and spoke to Karna who
was standing grandly amidst the Kauravas “Uninvited guests and undesirable
speakers will have your way and you will be killed by my hands and transport to
the same world of yours.” Karna replied “This pavilion is for the public, Oh! Phalguna
it is not for you only. The most
powerful among the Kshtriyas are crowned as the rulers and Kshtriyas respects
fearlessness. Why should we argue?
That’s meant for the coward. Oh! Partha today I will battle against you and
chop off your head in front of our Acharya, till that you speak with your fine
arrows.”
Arjuna affectionately embraced his brothers and with the permission
of Dronacharya, walked to arena to fight against Karna. On the other side, Karna embraced Duryodhana
and his brothers and prepared for the fight.
The sky packed with heavy clouds with frequent lightening. Lord Indra meticulously observed the pavilion
with lots of affection towards his son.
Lord Surya withered the clouds and watched over his son. Phalguna was covered under the thick cloud
and Karna was revealed his presence with the brilliant rays of Lord Surya. Duryodhana and his brothers stood along with
Karna and Partha/Arjun was surrounded by Dronacharya, Kripacharya and
Bhismacharya. The whole audiences were
divided into two set supporting their favorites. Kunthi, daughter of Kunthibhoja has fallen
unconscious after witnessing the seriousness of the proceedings in the
pavilion. The righteous Vidur ordered
female assistants to sprinkle the aromatic sandalwood water on Kunthi’s face
and brought her back into conscious. She
anxiously looked upon her two sons who were clad in shield and fuming against
each other, she turned out helpless with extreme distress. Kripacharya came forward and declared in
thunderous voice that Arjuna , son of Kunthi
from the Kuru race and younger to Yudhishtira & Bhima will fight
against the fearless Karna, further ordered Karna to declare the details of his
clan, after listening to the details of the superiority of the clan only Arjuna
will fight against him. According to
Sastra, the princes of superior clan never fight against inferior or ordinary
warriors. Instantaneously, Karna’s face
turned gloomy like a withered lotus after listening to the words of
Kripacharya. Duryodhana spoke ‘Oh!
Respected Master, according to scriptures there are three categories of men
such as warriors, Princes and men in charge of the Army can be crowned as
King. If Arjuna does not want to fight
against a warrior, I will declare Karna as the King of Anga Kingdom.”
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
