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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 32 Duryodhana becomes angry >>
 |  | Filled with envy of the Pandavas, Duryodhana plots their murder. The sage Vaisampayana is telling the history of the Pandavas to their great-grandson, King Janamejaya. In the last issue, powerful Karna, of unknown caste, interrupted a great military exhibition and challenged Arjuna to fight. Duryodhana quickly befriended Karna and crowned him king of Anga. As the Mahabharata continues, the arrival of Karna's father on the scene reveals Karna's disqualifying parentage.
| | | Adhirata, Karna's father, came trembling and sweating into the arena, his upper cloth scattered about him. He was out of breath and was supporting himself with a rod. When Karna saw his father, bound by reverence he put aside his bow and worshipfully bowed his head, still wet from the royal consecration. Adhiratha was embarrassed, and he covered his feet with his cloth. Then to Karna, whose goals had been richly fulfilled, Adhiratha the chariot driver said, "My son!" Adhiratha embraced Karna and with his tears again wetted his son's head.
| | | Seeing all this, Bhimasena, son of Pandu, concluded, "He's the son of a chariot driver." [Bhima had witnessed the unwarranted attempt by Karna and Duryodhana to humiliate and destroy his younger brother Arjuna.] Now it was Bhima who laughed. He declared, "You do not deserve death in battle from Arjuna, O son of a driver. Quickly, take up the driving whip, which fits your family. You lowest of men, you are not worthy to enjoy the kingdom of Anga, for you are like a dog that comes near the sacred fire to eat the offering".
| | | When Karna heard Bhima's words his lower lip trembled, and breathing heavily he looked up at the day-making sun.
| | | Then mighty Duryodhana leaped up in rage from the midst of his brothers, like a maddened elephant charging out of a lotus forest. He spoke out to the terribly powerful Bhimasena, who stood before him. "Vrkodara," he said, "it is not right for you to speak such words! Among warriors, strength comes first. Even a fallen "friend of a warrior' deserves a fight. To understand the original source of heroes and rivers is difficult. Why, from water arose fire, the fire that pervades all creatures. From the bones of Dadhici, the gods fashioned a thunderbolt to kill the Danavas. We hear from sages that Karttikeya is the son of Agni, and of Krttika, and of Rudra, and of Ganga Devi. The origin of such an exalted god is shrouded in mystery. Hence he is called Guha.
| | | Famous brahmanas have taken birth from ksatriya mothers, and Dronacarya himself was born from a pot. Guru Krpa was born from a clump of reeds. Why, it is known to the kings of this world that even the birth of you five brothers is most unusual.
| | | How could an ordinary doe give birth to a tiger? This man was born with earrings and armor built into his body; these are the marks of divine birth. Don't you see that he's as brilliant as the sun?
| | | This man is a lord of men. He deserves the whole earth as his kingdom, not merely the state of Anga! He deserves it by his ample prowess, and by his relation to me, for I follow his command. Or if there is anyone born of man who will not tolerate what I have done, then either mounting his chariot or with his feet on the earth, let him bend the bow against me!
| | | A great uproar swept through the stadium, and many spectators [failing to recognize Duryodhana's evil motives] praised and cheered his words. But then the sun journeyed below the horizon, and the day was done. Duryodhana took Karna firmly by the hand, O king, and with the way lit up by the fire of lamps went out of the stadium. Then the Pandavas, with Drona, Krpa, and Bhisma, went back to their own homes.
| | | As the people departed, O Bharata, they spoke in animated tones. Some were saying "Arjuna!" Others were saying "Karna!" and others "Duryodhana!"
| | | The divine marks on Karna s body had proven to Kunti that the new king of Anga was her own son, and her secret love for him only increased, for such is the affection of a mother.
| | | Having made friendship with Karna, O king, Duryodhana felt his terrible fear of Arjuna suddenly vanish. Karna himself, who had labored hard to master his weapons, then saluted Duryodhana with exquisite words of praise. And even Yudhisthira began to think that there was no archer equal to Karna on the face of the earth.
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