Karna and Salya
As soon as Karna set out in the chariot driven by Salya, he started boasting bout himself. He was in high spirits. So he offered liberal gifts for any one who would locate Krishna and Arjuna for him. His words were, “who will show me the chariot of Arjuna carried by the white horses and driven by Krishna? I shall pay him all the riches that he asks for”, and so on. The moment he could set sight on Arjuna he would put an end to the Pandava with one of his arrows. That was what Karna implied through his loud proclamation.
That was too much for Salya. He said. “You do not have to pay any fees to anyone for showing Arjuna to you. You shall see him yourself, soon. But, that meeting shall become fatal for you”.
Karna did not like the comment from the Madra king. He boasted of his own prowess. But, Salya asked him what Karna did on the several occasions in the past when Arjuna defeated the Kauvas single handed.
Karna was greatly angered by the belittling words of Salya. He started to insult his tormentor by saying that the people of the Madra land were of loose moral character and not trustworthy. Karna quoted several others who, it seemed, gave instances to prove the point. He, then, threatened his charioteer with dire consequences, if he spoke another word questioning his ability.
Salya kept his cool even after listening to Karna’s angry words. But, he said that good and bad people could be found everywhere. It was not fair to tarnish the image of one whole country quoting a few examples.
Then, he narrated the story of the crow which boasted to a swan of its skill in flying
The crow and the swan
It was the work of some mischief mongers who boosted up the false ego of the crow by saying that it was the greatest among birds. The praise took to the head of the naive crow.
When it spotted a fleet of swans in the near by lake the crow challenged them for a trial of skill in flying. The crow claimed that it could fly in a hundred and one different ways. The swans kept quiet to the tall claim. But, one of them accepted the challenge. It said that it knew how to fly, nothing more. But it was willing to compete with the crow.
Then, the two started the trial. The crow showed off its skill by flying with its back up first and then sideways and even tried to roll over while in the air. The swan simply flew ahead. It went in the direction of the western ocean and the crow followed right behind. The swan kept a steady flight over the vast ocean and the crow tried its best to keep apace. But, there was no land to be spotted even in the farthest horizon nor was there any tree for the crow to rest for a while. Soon, the crow started feeling the weight of its own wings. How far ahead? The crow asked. The swan kept quiet and continued on its track.
Soon, the crow realized that it could not move any further. Its feet touched the surface of the ocean unable to hold itself up any longer. It cried out to the swan for help. The swan ignored its companion for a while. When it was clear that the crow was about o sink beneath the deep ocean the swan quietly pulled it up by its feet and deposited it at on the island that came further ahead. It, then, quietly flew off giving the lesson to the crow not to make vain claims.
Salya concluded the story telling Karna not to boast without knowing the strength of his enemy.
But, Karna was not that easily to be put down. He said that he was aware of the strength of his enemy, but, nonetheless was in a position to win over him by his superior combating skills.
He, then, narrated the two curses that are on him that bog him down to some extent. Yet, he was willing to meet the enemy in spite of them.
Curses on Karna
Karna had approached the great Parasurama for lessons in archery. The son of Bhrigu was known for his stern stand against the Kshatriyas (warriors and royals). He had gone about killing them several times over in revenge for the death of his father at their hands. So, Karna went disguised as a Brahmin. Parasurama accepted him as disciple and taught him all that he knew in archery.
One day the teacher was having his nap in the noon resting his head on the lap of the disciple. It is said that Lord Indra, who had the interest of Arjuna at heart, wanted to expose the disguise of Karna. He came in the form of an insect and started piercing the thigh of Karna. Blood started oozing out. Karna did not want to disturb the quiet sleep of his teacher and bore the pain with courage.
But, Parasurama was woken up by the feel of blood on his head and noticed what was happening. How did his disciple bear so much pain silently? He asked Karna. “Who are you in reality? It is unlikely that a Brahmin would stand so much pain quietly. Tell me the truth”. Karna could not, but, expose his true identity to the teacher. Parasurama was angry because of the deceit and said. “What you have learnt in the pretext of a Brahmin shall escape you at the crucial moment”.
Besides, Karna had inadvertently killed the cow of a Brahmin. The animal was dear to the Brahmin serving his daily need for milk used in the sacrificial rites. Greatly angered, the Brahmin cursed Karna that the wheels of his chariot would sink in mud in the crucial war he would fight. Karna tried to pacify the Brahmin by offering suitable gifts. But, the Brahmin was unmoved.Karna concluded saying that he was somewhat worried of these two curses on him, but, was not afraid to face any enemy, be it Arjuna or Indra, himself.
With these words he asked Salya to drive on to where he could meet Arjuna.
We shall learn more about the war on the 17th day in the next episode.
