3) Karna and Duryodhan
It was the time when Karna went to his verandah after he completed
the thirty- seventh and seventy-fifth task of Supriya's long list with great
difficulty! The sun had completed its tour for the day, and had now been
replaced by myriad stars, which dotted the inky canopy. A low, waning gibbous
moon hovered tenuously in the twilight firmament, bestowing a very dim light
upon the land. It was a cool, windy night; the swaying of trees and rustling of
leaves could be heard but not seen, as the encompassing darkness had blotted
out all but the faintest light. Briefly, a dark, wispy cloud eclipsed the
crescent moon. For a few shadowy moments, it looked like there was a halo
around the cloud, a dull aura of lunar luminescence. .A dark curtain fell
over the land, twinkling spotlights adorning the velvet texture of the night.
It was a dark, Serene night as the luminous moon gleamed and the white
twinkling stars gave harmony at the black, blue sky as if a black piece of
velvet had been laid over the sky and sprinkled with shinning gems, and
sapphire
Looking up at the inky blackness of the night sky Karna saw it was deep and
pristine, ice cold, and the sense of eternity that took over his mind was spiritual
in nature, like a rare rapture that few people experience. Of all sizes they
were, some were faint yellows, a few dull red, and the whites were like perfect
diamonds worth thousands or maybe millions. Then westward, his eye caught one
of true blue, and it twinkled at him, just for him it seemed, and He bid it
hello with a slow wave of my hand. "But that's just me, connected with the
universe where all life is one it makes me feel that No one is ever
alone", He whispered to himself with a smile
Just then he saw a shadow approaching him without turning back he could guess
that it was no other than his Mitra Duryodhan. He got up hurriedly and looked
at his friend with a surprised look as it was not often that Duryodhan came to
his palace without informing .Karna knew that something was a huge mess!
Before Karna could ask anything Duryodhan questioned angrily
"What the hell is wrong with you? How can you just give anything and
everything anybody asks?"
Karna was still surprised to see Duryodhana here "Why
not?", he asked him in a surprised tone
"Wh-Why not?!", Duryodhan spluttered as he was
never questioned by anyone in such straight forward manner and then he took his
hand tenderly and asked "What was the need for this wow", the anger from
his words was evaporated and the thing remaining was just his concern
"It's a good thing to help the needy, isn't it? And I don't
think I am committing any sin Mitra!", Karna replied in a low tone
"I don't disagree from this but you can do daans without a vow
too... Why a vow?", he asked with concern
"Because it seemed the right thing to do at that time"'
he replied quietly
For a moment Duryodhana just stared at Karna with disbelief just as
if he told him that the river is red! And then frowned, "Do you know what
are you doing?" he asked with his temples folded "Don't act insane
Mitra!"
"I am not it's a fair decision", Karna said firmly
"A fair decision...How can you say this? What if someone asks
you your throne would you give away that too?", Duryodhan lashed out at
him
"No one would ask me this...you can trust people for not being
so greedy", Karna replied
"Hmm...you are new to this game of deceit and intrigue ask me
my two generations have played it ours is third Mitra my Pitamaha too took a
vow he is still paying for it... acting against his wishes...", Duryodhan
said calmly his voice reflected his care for Karna
"I don't think so my vow is a different one Mitra! It will
help me and the people arround", Karna replied
"Why don't you understand it will make you helpless I can
foresee it!" he frowned
"How can it?...it won't Mitra", Karna replied softly
"So you are not going to turn back until you dress up in rags
and live in a hut!.", asked Duryodhan
"Mitra I am a sutputra...I have lived that life", He reminded
Duryodhan
Now Duryodhana's voice hardened "So you wish to go back to
that life of humiliation? Atleast think of your family..."
Breaking him he replied, "My family is already with me and I
want you too to support me!"
"Yah correct it's your family after all...as crazy as
you", his words were of mixed emotions
"Mitra...", Karna tried to say something but Duryodhan
broke out and asked him angrily "What if someone asks you your Kavach and
Kundals you would shed off that too? Won't it make you vulnerable??"
Karna first went white and then slowly his face gained colour
"What would anyone get from them? I still couldn't understand what good
they are going to do to me? And how can these accessories make me vulnerable I
fight with my might and power now I think they are taking away credit of my
bravery", he said softly but in sharp voice..." But if such condition
arrises What do you think... how will I remove it Should I just peel it off or
use a knife?", he added with his usual dry humour trying to make light of
his worry
Duryodhan had no words in reply He knew Karna wouldn't turn back
his vow was his decision, his final say but the Kuru Prince had to convince his
friend to see the side-effects of his vow. So he continued instead, "Just
tell me one thing...If I come to you tomorrow morning and beg you would you
reconsider your vow?", he asked as he was left with no ray of hope
"well umm...but I doubt would you be able to get up at such a
early hour Mitra?", Karna asked with a giggle but he couldn't quite catch
Duryodhans expressions so he though that he had made a big mistake
Duryodhan stared at Karna for some time and then burst out
laughing, "Oh Mitra you caught my laziness very correctly dear", he
said trying to stop laughing
Karna had misjudged him he recalled all the incidences where people
told him that Duryodhana befriended him for his selfish motives ... he would
shrug them off by telling them He cannot judge Duryodhan as he didn't have any
specific answer but he knew deep in his heart that his Mitras love was as pure
as his family's love for him and this incidence was a proof of his innocent and
childish heart
Karna took his hand tenderly, "Mitra I can do anything for you
I want you to be my strength not weakness...I want you to stand by me as you
did that day in the arena"
There were tears flowing from Duryodhanas eyes and he didn't wish
to stop them, he hugged Karna tightly and said "Even if the world goes
against me I will always be there for you Mitra" Karna too hugged him back
and replied, "You are my biggest strength Mitra...Thankyou", The
light of friendship that was reflected from their hug was intense and luminous
than even the light of full moon!
...
At the dinner time on dining table Vrushali too was
flabbergasted or rather shocked to see her Arya on time to have meal. Looking
at her condition Supriya suppressed her giggle but her eyes danced with
merriment .Radha mata's hush stopped her. Karna looked at her and they shared
some private message via eyes. Supriya then glanced at Vrushali whose eyes were
on her already Vrushali asked What Happened? With her facial expressions
Supriya lifted her shoulders impishly like a toddler as if she doesn't know
what happened!!
