He was fast going towards his cruel fate. One day he was roaming with his teacher, Guru Parashuram. His old teacher was talking nonstop about everything of this world. He pressed his lips together and listened to him carefully.
He was soon leaving the ashram. Thus he wanted to utilize this spare time. His teacher had enormous knowledge of almost everything. He wanted to teach his pupil all. He knew the vast capability of his pupil too.
After some time Gurudev felt tired. He want to take a rest. Hence he sat down on the floor of a teak tree. His eyes were feeling heavy in sleep. He tried to search for something to put on his head desperately.
His pupil joined his hands and told him "Gurudev, you can sleep in my lap. I promise not to move."
Gurudev smiled aftectionately. He felt proud of his disciple. Then he sleep on the floor and nested his head on his pupil's lap. Instantly he fell asleep.
Karna sat silently. Birds were singing and dancing. Leaves were trembling in air. The atmosphere was soothing. But he felt restless. From tomorrow he was on his own. His teacher would not guide him anymore. What would he do alone?!!!
He was deep in thought when a big scorpion emerged from the tree track. It was roaming around and suddenly discovered two people taking rest. It became curious about people and it came out. It scattered around it's long legs and went directly towards Karna.
He heard a faint noise and looked at its direction. It was caming to him. He bit his lip. He could not want to make any sound. His teacher's sleep would be disturbed then. The sleep deprived Gurudev would be very angry on him. What to do??!! He was in thought at this very time.
The scorpion went straight to him and rode on his empty right lap. On his left lap Gurudev was still sleeping peacefully. It came straight to his left lap and by thinking something else it bit him hard. Within a second it made a deep wound on his lap. And blood started to pour down from his wound.
Karna bit his lip and tongue forcefully to stop making any sound. But the scorpion took the opportunity and bit him more hard there. Bloods were pouring down with more force. He tried to stop his urge of screaming. He did not want to disturb his teacher's slumber.
Suddenly some hot blood touched Guru Parashuram's lips and it's salty taste sent a sensation on his sleeping brain. He got up at once with a jerk and opened his eyes wide. He saw his pupil was sitting in uptight position but his right thigh was flooded with blood. A scorpion was attacking him with its tongs and tails. The poisonous tongs and tails were putting poison on his body too.
With a jolt Guru Parasharum take out his knife and killed that big scorpion effortlessly. He then put his hands on his pupil's head. His brain refused to believe what amount of pain this young man was tolerating just for his sake?!!
Karna flipped open his eyes slowly. He stared at his teacher's face gratefully. He did not have strength left in his body to thank him.
Suddenly Guru Parashuram got very much Infuriated. His face got hot red in rage. He even started to tremble.
Karna realized something was amiss. He joined his hands to him and asked bewilderedly -
"What happened, Gurudev?!! Did I do something wrong?"
Guru Parashuram burst into anger. He lifted his trembling fingers in his pupil's direction and asked him "Who are you?!! You are not Brahmin."
He opened his eyes wide. His worst nightmare was going to be true now!!
"I am Sut putro, Bhagavan." He said it slowly facing the floor.
"No. You are a khatriyo (warrior). You are still lying to me." He yelled in deep anger once more.
"Believe me. I am telling you the very truth." He politely declined him.
"No. You are lying to me." His teacher was still adamant in declaration.
Karna tried to touch his teacher's feet to beg his mercy. He kicked him hard on the same thigh without thinking of his wound. Karna winced but did not complain. His little brain refused to comprehend the consequences.
"You cheated me for long and told me the wrong identity. As your teacher, I curse you to forget every single details of war I taught you at the final battle with Arjuna. When you need the help of your Divyastras at that battle you will never recall them. You will never get your deserved recognition in this life."
Guru Parashuram cursed him aloud.
Guru Parashuram
Karna lifted his teary eyes to his own teacher and bowed him respectfully. Then slowly with a limp he went away of the ashram.
Guru Parasharum stared hard at the disappearing broken-hearted limping yet tall shadow of his favorite student Karna whom he donated his own now after seeing his mastery in the field of archery. After Ganga son Bhism he did not meet someone of his calibre. Guru Ram had to sigh deep. He knew about the true identity of Karna beforehand. Guru knew that he was working as a mere pawn of the fate. This curse was completely unjust for a devoted young boy like Karna. This curse was just a siily excuse to save the legacy of his favorite student Karna even after his untimely demise. He knew that for Karna to win on a battle with his own brother would be compared to death. So he cursed him to become immortal in this worldly sphere. He had to try hard to make his disciple immune to the insults as they would remain with him till end.
He lifted his own teary eyes to the sky and perhaps seeked for God's mercy for himself. Gurudev Parashuram was himself fighting his own battle today.
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