The Sacrifice Of Kunti

When Kunti Met Karna

It was when Karna was practising his archery skills, he was determined to achieve his goal. He always wanted to prove people that a Sudha ( a low class group of people in ancient Hindu times ) can be better than a Kshatriya ( High Class Group Of people like the kings and their family ) He was continuously shooting arrows until he saw who was standing beside him, it was Kunti the mother of Pandavas. It was an unexpected surprise for Karna. Her appearance made everything beautiful, her white golden silk saree glinted in the sun. She wore no jewellery, her necklace and her bracelets were made of sandalwood. Her look was simple yet enchanting. After Karna noticed her, he immediately touched her feet and said, "Offer me your precious blessings Rajmata Kunti." Kunti stood still, she couldn't admit the fact that Karna was her son whom she left in the caressing waters of Ganges
in the fear of people questioning her character and her integrity. Of course nobody would believe her if she said that Karna was the mantra Prasad ( the holy offering) of lord Surya himself. Karna didn't know about this , he believed that he is the son of Adirath & Radha who belong to a poor sudha family. The couple had hidden the secret of his birth. "Rajmata? Don't I have any rights to seek your blessings?" Karna broke the silence. Kunti saw that Karna was waiting for her blessings, with a heavy heart she said "May You live long and achieve everything you need, my son." Karna was surprised, he never expected a queen to refer a sudha as her son. "Consider me as your mother, a queen might differentiate between the highs and the lows but not a mother." said Kunti. Kunti was always a kind soul. Karna rose up and his happy tears glistened, Kunti cupped Karna's face and said "You must not cry now, no mother would like to see her child crying." Kunti appeared smiling but she was weeping inside. She wanted to yell and tell the world that Karna was her son, but she couldn't!
Karna observed that Kunti was lost in her own thoughts, "Rajmata? Is there something you would like to share with me?"
"Yes Karna, I really appreciate your talent, your archery skills are too good." Karna Smiled he felt grateful.
"Have you met Arjuna my son? He is also a good archer like you!" said Kunti
This time Karna wasn't smiling, he replied " I've met him Rajmata, we aren't the same!" Kunti was disappointed she didn't expect this kind of reply from Karna. "Mother, what are you doing here?" Kunti turned to her left, it was Arjuna with his four brothers. The five handsome brothers walked in, their skin colour wasn't the same, Yudhisthira,Bheema & Nakul had a fair complexion where as Arjun and Sahadev had a dusky complexion. Their unity was known to the whole Aryavarta, their unity defeated the mighty king Drupada too. The apsaras were also fascinated by their charismatic personality. "Angraj Karna here are my five sons, the Pandavas!" Said Kunti proudly. The Pandavas bowed down to Kunti, Kunti blessed them. "Greetings, Angraj Karna." said Yudhisthira with a gentle smile. "It is nice meeting you, Yudhisthira." Replied Karna. Arjuna came forward and offered Kunti a handful of jasmine flowers, her favourite flowers! The fragrance of jasmine filled the air. The sweet smelling flowers calmed Kunti. "You never fail to surprise me Arjuna, thank you for these." said Kunti, "I also have something for you mata." Said Bheema. Bheema Clapped his palms to his ears, the servants lined up carrying baskets. "Baskets? For what brother?" Asked Sahadev. Bheema ordered the servants to reveal the surprise. The baskets had varieties of sweets, fruits, nuts and berries. "Oh this was your surprise, bratha Bheema? I thought that you gulped all of these alone while travelling." chuckled Nakul. Bheema pulled Nakul's hair and said " It was a nasty joke." and all of them laughed including Karna. "Jokes Aside, mata did you like my surprise?" Asked Bheema
" Yes my child, but I can't finish this all alone you should promise to help me with it." smiled Kunti.
"Of course mata I won't let you eat it all alone." giggled Bheema with a mischievous look on his face.
"Karna, won't you join us for the lunch?" asked Kunti
"No Rajmata, Duryodhana has invited me for lunch and I have promised to pay him a visit." Said Karna
"No worries Karna, but you should taste the Kheer I made for you." insisted Kunti.
Kunti passed a small bowl to Karna that had Kheer in it.
" I made this for you and my sons Karna, please taste it."
"As you say Rajmata."
Karna tasted the Kheer, the aroma of the Kheer was enough to determine how tasty it was.
Karna finished all of it, and said
"It is delicious Rajmata, your hands posses some magic, it really reminds me of my Radha Ma."
Kunti's heart ached, she wasn't able to bear it, she couldn't agree that Karna called someone else as his mother.
"You really have a good taste Angraj." Smiled Arjuna.
"I'll take your leave Rajmata." Said Karna.
Karna didn't wanted to leave, he felt a weird sensation. Kunti also didn't want him to go but he left.