The stage is set for another leela of Bhagwaan Vishnu, where all the gods and goddesses play a significant role. Now starts the saga where heartbreaking curses, graceful boons and divine mercy combine to write a history to be remembered through the...
In shuklapaksha of the tenth month, a child was conceived in Pritha’s womb. She harbored concerns that her relatives would condemn her if they were to discover the truth about her pregnancy.
However, her secret remained hidden. Kunti resided in her inner quarters and did her best to shield herself from prying eyes. Only her trusted nurse was privy to her secret.
And in due course of time, through the favours of Suryadev, she gave birth to a son.
He exuded a radiant aura, akin to that of the immortals themselves. Clad in resplendent armor, he was adorned with magnificent golden earrings that sparkled brilliantly.
His eyes were a captivating shade of tawny. And his broad shoulders, reminiscent of a mighty bull, mirrored those of his father.
And at night, when all were asleep, the princess and her nurse were quick to rush to the banks of river Ashwa.
"Kya koi anya maarg nahi hai ?" Kunti asked, holding her baby close to her heart.
The nurse, who was preparing a basket, replied, "Rajkumari, yadi aap shigreh iss balak ka tyaag nahi karengi, toh yeh samaaj aap dono ko bahishkrut kardega. Iska tyaag karne mei aap dono ka hit hai. Anyatha satya bahar aa gaya, toh log ise jeevan bhar apmaanit karenge."
Pritha gently cradled her newborn son, fast asleep in her arms, tears were streaming down her face. She realized that she had no alternative but to forsake her child, or else both of them will be damned.
With a heavy heart, she placed the child in the basket, every side of which was thoughtfully prepared, ensuring utmost comfort and security. The interior, adorned with plush covers, exuded a gentle softness that embraced the precious cargo. To further safeguard the innocent soul, the basket was meticulously lined with the fragrant essence of beeswax, creating a sanctuary of protection.
As tears blurred her vision, the princess mustered the strength to release the basket into the flowing currents of the majestic river Ashva. A mournful cry escaped her lips, echoing through the air, as her precious child drifted away, carried by the flow of water.
Kunti lamented piteously, "O putra ! Devta tumhari raksha kare... Tumhara maarg mangalmaye ho, aur bina vighno ke ho ! Jal ke swami, Varun, tumhari raksha jal mei kare ! Vayudev tumhari raksha akaash mei kare ! Tumhare pita Suryadev tumhari raksha har sthaan par kare ! Sabhi 33 koti devta, sabhi dishao se tumhara rakshan kare !"
Her lamentations grew louder, filled with anguish and despair, her nurse tenderly placed a comforting hand upon her trembling shoulder, but it didn't sooth her.
"Tumhare kavach se mai tumhe pehechaan lungi, putra. Parantu tumhari abhaagi maa tumhe paal nahi paayegi.... Dhanya hogi woh stree jo tumhe Goud mei khelayegi, jo tumhe stan-paan karayegi... Dhanya hogi woh jo tumhara bachpan dekhegi... Jo tumhe mitti mei khelta huya dekhegi... Jo tumhe balak se yuvak bante huye dekhegi..." Kunti cried.
The nurse held her by her shoulders, and made the girl stand up, she said, "Rajkumari, isse pehle kisi ko aapki anupasthiti ka bhaan ho, hume Mahal lautna hoga."
And thus she took Kunti back to the palace. The princess yearned to see her son, she was overcome by grief. But she was afraid of what may happen if Kuntibhoj comes to know, hence she kept quiet.
Meanwhile the basket flowed from the river Ashva to the river Charmanvati, from Charmanvati to Yamuna and from there, it went to Ganga.
The waves of the Ganga bore the son and the basket to the city of Champa, the habitation of charioteers, in the kingdom of Anga. With divine armour and earrings that were created from amrita, the child was protected by the gods, because of what had been ordained by destiny.
"Yeh kya hai ?" A woman named Radha, unrivalled in her beautiful, muttered seeing a basket flowing in the river.
The waves of the Jahnavi carried it near her. Driven by curiosity, the beautiful one grasped it. Then she told her husband, Adirath, about this, who was a dear friend of Kuru-prince Dhritrashtra.
He took the basket out of the water and used instruments to pry it open. Then he saw the boy there. With golden armour, he was as radiant as the morning sun. He had a beautiful face, adorned with radiant earrings. His eyes were long and bug, like a lotus. And his palms were coppery red.
The suta, together with his wife, gazed, their eyes wide with wonder, as he took the boy out of the box and placed him on his lap.
"Bhadrey, maine aisa chamatkaar apne jeevan mei kabhi nahi dekha. Aisa lag raha hai, jaise devtao ne apna putra hume bhet diya hai. Humari koi santaan nahi hai, kadachit devtao ne ise hume putra roop mei diya hai." Adirath said and handed the baby over to Radha.
She stared at the child for a moment, she could feel a wave of motherhood wash over her. She clutched the baby close to her heart, feeling protective of him.
"Awashya, hum par yeh devtao ki kripa hai. Aaj se yeh humara putra huya." She smiled.
Radha then accepted that divine-looking son in accordance with the prescribed rites. They named him, 'Vasushen', and began rearing him as their child.
After some time, Kunti too confirmed through her spies that the child was safe and growing up in Adhirath's household. She took a sigh of relief, only after being sure that her child was in safe hands and will have a life of comfort.
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Now before anyone comes and pities Karn for being raised among Sutas, Sutaswere mainly charioteers, story tellers and reciters of mantras, they were a highly trained in warfare and highly educated in scriptures. Keechak, Sudeshna, Ugrashaiva sauti, are other prominent Sutas in Mahabharat.
Also Adirath was a friend of Dhritrashtra, charioteer of Bhishm, plus he belonged to the ROYAL FAMILY of Angadesh. So Karn did not grow up poor, or even middle class. He grew up with luxury.
Btw, reading this part, especially the description of Karn's beauty, aura, resplendence.... Reminds me of what Hanuman ji said about Ravan~
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Lekin alas, Angraj bhi Ravan ke tarah adharm ke maarg par agrasar the~
