In the previous episode, we had witnessed Karna expressing his concerns to Kunthi Devi as she tried convincing him to join Yudishtra’s camp. Karna expresses his anguish to Kunthi Devi that he was unattended to by anyone, except Duryodhana at all times when he was rejected by almost everyone in the Hastinapura kingdom. Moreover, Karna’s deep-hearted wounds aren’t going to heal so soon. He also blasts Kunthi Devi for being selfish in protecting her own dignity and respect all these years by going to the extent of disowning her own son! Isn’t this a grave mistake of Kunthi Devi? How can a mother have the heart to desert her new-born baby just because she has to protect her own dignity? Karna was a victim of this huge blunder of Kunthi Devi and for this, Karna asserts that he is never going to forgive her for this! Moreover, Karna’s birth story is still concealed and nobody except Bhagawan Krishna and Kunthi Devi know the truth behind this, isn’t it? Hence, if this story is disclosed to the Hastinapura people right now, what will their reaction be? How will Duryodhana react to it? All these start running in Karna’s mind and hence, he conveys his final decision that let things be the way they are right now. He’s not going to switch sides to satisfy his “opportunistic mother”!
Adding to this accord thus, Karna finally concludes to Kunthi Devi – “Oh Mother! You may have disclosed my birth story to me today, but please understand that Bhagawan Krishna has already disclosed it to me earlier. I’m totally aware that the Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna combination is something which nobody can breach in this world. If there is a war between “Dharma” and “Adharma” and if Bhagawan Krishna is going to take the side of “Dharma”, I’m sure there is no point in even discussing the end result of this war. Duryodhana’s side is going to face disaster for sure! However, since you’re requesting so much, I shall give you just one boon – As a mother, when the war comes to an end, you will definitely have five sons remaining. I will fight against all your five “legitimate sons” but will not kill anyone, except Arjuna if possible. My intense fight will only be against Arjuna. The remaining four brothers of Arjuna will definitely be safe and secure if they come to fight against me. I shall maybe win the battle against the four of them, but I shall not kill them. I assure you of this. However, when it comes to Arjuna, I shall go for the kill. If Arjuna wins and kills me, you will still have the fifth son (Arjuna) who will be alive at the end of the battle. If I kill Arjuna after winning over him, again your fifth son (Karna) will be alive at the end of the battle. This is the assurance I can give you. But in any case, you will have five of your sons intact after the war is over!”
As Karna decisively says thus, Kunthi Devi doesn’t have much to say as she breaks into tears! She understands that she is the one who is at fault when it comes to Karna’s life. She shouldn’t have deserted her child like the way she did! This keeps haunting her as she slowly moves back to the Hastinapura palace. Meanwhile, Bhagawan Krishna quickly meets Vidura and apprises him of what will be the next strategic decision. Bhagawan Krishna says to Vidura thus, “Oh Vidura! It seems that there’s no other choice left! War is the only solution! Hence, let us prepare for the worst! Please tell King Dhritarashtra about this and see what his reaction is!” As Bhagawan Krishna gives this “encrypted message”, Vidura is quick enough to grasp the content of what Bhagawan is trying to convey. Thus, holding Vidura’s hands, Bhagawan Krishna gets into His chariot and bids farewell to Vidura by providing His divine “Anugraha” to him.
Getting into His chariot thus, Bhagawan Krishna makes His way to Viraata Desha where Yudishtra and Co. are camping currently. As Bhagawan Krishna’s arrival is known to the Paandavas, all the five brothers run to the entrance of the city to receive Him with all the necessary protocols. Bhagawan Krishna thus makes His way into the Viraata Desha yet again and accepts the hospitality provided by Yudishtra and Co. as they receive Him. Thus, all of them settle down and an important discussion is going to commence now. Bhagawan Krishna is going to narrate whatever happened at Hastinapura during His visit, as Yudishtra is eager to listen to Bhagawan’s golden words of wisdom! So for today, let us also eagerly wait to understand what Bhagawan Krishna is going to talk to Yudishtra and we shall continue this important accord in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 