Karna felt a sob choking his throat. Nobody had ever put so much faith in this poor Suta boy or spoken to him as an equal. It was exhilarating. Perhaps he could be a great warrior. It had just been a selfish dream but now, it seemed to have gained greater purpose. Becoming a warrior would not simply be an escape from poverty; it would also be a journey of self-discovery, an adventure - a cause far greater than petty ambition. The dream was now his destiny.
"Karna, when you reach the land of Parashurama, you will find many things that will fill you with anger and contempt. You will see a proud race living like dogs under meaningless taboos, bound by caste hierarchy. Do not become agitated and do something rash and foolish. Remember that you are there for a purpose. There is no warrior in the whole of India, including Bhishma and Drona, who can match Parashurama's skill. Learn whatever you can from him. One day the time will come to use that skill for a greater cause. Do not hesitate to say you are a Brahmin when Parashurama asks."
Balarama's final words brought Karna back to reality. How would he answer Parashurama when asked the dreaded question? He had never uttered an untruth in all his young life. Now he had to lie to achieve his aim. Was it not like stealing?
"Karna, do not feel embarrassed when he asks about your caste. Look into his eyes and answer boldly that you are a Brahmin. He will ask in his own narrow way but you will answer with the truth that lives in our holy books. You are a seeker of knowledge, a Brahmin in the purest sense. You are more Brahmin than Parashurama. Once you become a warrior and work for society, you will become a Kshatriya, protector of the weak. When you bring prosperity to your people through your work, you will become a Vaishya. When you bring happiness to people through your love, compassion and service, you will be a Shudra. You will be all varnas and more - you will be a human being. Nothing is greater than that."
The curtains fluttered in a gentle breeze that carried the salty taste of the sea. Voices could be heard from outside, ordering labourers to load cargo. Karna bowed and touched the feet of the Yadava leader. Balarama blessed his protege, took a pouch of gold coins from his waist, and gave it to him. "This will help you with your expenses. My first ship with cargo will be leaving any time now. I wanted to launch it from this holy town of Prabhasa. Look, the sails are unfurling now. Let the compassionate eyes of Lord Somanatha always follow you. Karna, I wish all that is best in life for you. I have to see to some details of merchandise now, but we will meet in circumstances that are more leisurely one day. By then, my young friend, you will be the best warrior in India. Remember, you carry our dreams with you. When you achieve your goal, do not forget what you owe to each blade of grass of this land. God bless you."
Karna watched Balarama turn away, trying to hide his deep emotion. The Yadava leader walked past the Suta boy in a blur. Karna felt inspired; his self-doubts had vanished. What Kripa had not been able to do in ten months of teaching, Balarama had achieved in ten minutes. Karna was no longer the same boy who had entered the Yadava chamber burdened by the guilt of his deception. Now he was a young man with a vision of his destiny. No taboo was going to stop him. No man was going to stand in his way. But as he walked out into the bright afternoon, Karna found the dark form of Krishna standing in his way.
"Who are you?" Krishna asked.
Karna smiled. "I am nobody, my Lord."
"Clever! But give me a straight answer. Who are you?"
"I am everybody," said Karna, laughing aloud and gently pushing Balarama's brother out of his way.
Krishna wanted to stop him, but caught sight of his brother standing a few feet away, looking at them. He remained silent as Karna walked away.
Labourers had pushed the ship into the water and now it gently rose and fell on the waves. The sails were being tested when Karna went on board. The Captain ordered his humble baggage to be placed in a corner of the deck. For a long time Karna sat watching the glistening tower of the Somanatha temple rising into the sky, and the sprawling city of Prabhasa. As the sea turned saffron in the setting sun and the air resounded with the cries of seagulls, Karna felt the ship creak and move. The anchor was raised and a line of rowers pulled hard to take the ship towards the high seas. As the sails unfurled to catch the wind and the ship swayed before steadying, Karna clutched the railing to stabilise himself. He watched the temple towers glimmer in the sun while the sea spread its red-tinted mantle in the west.
"South ahoy!" someone cried and the ship turned and gathered speed.
With his dark mane flying in the wind and the evening star rising in the heavens above, Karna stood in silence, fighting hope and fear. In travelling by sea, he had lost his caste. Karna felt strangely elated. The last rays of the sun caressed his strong body as if in blessing and then sank into the watery depths. Swaying in the wind and moving to the rhythm of the oarsmen's song, the ship carried the young man and his burden of destiny to the dangerous land of the Gods.
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9 THE BEAST
THE FOREST SLOWLY AWOKE TO THE chattering of birds. Jara was reluctant to leave his soft bed of grass. It was so cosy lying in the shade of the trees and watching the mist slowly rise from a shy earth. Shafts of sunlight pierced holes in the forest canopy. Monkeys had begun their clever antics high in the trees. They jumped from branch to branch, screeching at each other for no apparent reason. From the corner of his eye, Jara saw Ekalavya was occupied in making a bow. Curiosity overcame laziness and he bounded up. He ran to Ekalavya and took out an arrow from the quiver.
"Don't touch it, you ass!" shouted Ekalavya, without even raising his head. He was busy polishing the bow. It had begun to gleam in the sunlight.
"Hey, are you serious about becoming an archer?" Jara did not receive a reply. 'If Ekalavya learns archery, we will have more to eat,' he thought as he touched the sharp tip of the arrow with a finger.
"Ouch!" Jara howled, looking at the stone that had hit him hard. The stone Ekalavya had thrown had found its mark on Jara's knee and was rolling off a few feet away.
"I told you not to touch it." Ekalavya pointed one unwavering finger at the whimpering urchin.
It was not the usual banter Jara was used to from the older boy. Ekalavya had somehow gained more power and authority overnight. He watched Ekalavya string the bow and test it by twanging the string twice. Then, with a great air of importance, he took an arrow, examined its straightness by closing one eye and sighting down the tip, and then drew the bow and took aim. He had drawn a circle on the trunk of a huge tree that was almost fifteen feet in diameter. Jara waited with bated breath. After what seemed an eternity, Ekalavya shot the arrow. It swished through the air. Jara looked at the fig tree but there was no arrow embedded in the trunk. Ekalavya had missed the mark and even managed to miss the huge tree! Jara howled with laughter, doing a somersault in amusement. Ekalavya kicked at the boy but Jara dodged him and continued laughing. Jara knew Ekalavya had lost his power over him. He was no longer intimidated by Ekalavya. He was just another nondescript urchin - plain and ordinary. Jara ran off enthusiastically to find the arrow. He shouted in glee when he found it a good ten feet to the right of the tree. It had not even pierced the earth. In fact, it had hit nothing and was lying docile, just another piece of dry wood with a sharp tip.
Jara knew he was making Ekalavya angry with his constant jeering but it was fun. He waited until Ekalavya almost caught him and then dashed away to climb up a banyan tree. Jara sat on a high branch, swinging his spindly legs and screaming at Ekalavya like a monkey. Ekalavya tried shooting arrows at him, but they did not reach high enough. This increased Jara's merriment and he started throwing twigs at his tormentor. A few found their mark and enraged Ekalavya further. Jara could climb dizzyingly high and even jump from tree to tree like an ape. He knew the older boy could not touch him. Finally, Ekalavya gave up the chase and started towards Hastinapura instead. Jara clambered down and began following Ekalavya at a discreet distance.
After an hour of walking, they reached th
e open ground where Drona was teaching the Princes. Ekalavya hid behind a bush to watch. Then he noticed Jara hiding behind a nearby bush and uttered a silent curse. Jara waved at him and put out his tongue, irritating Ekalavya further. Jara was glad they had come to the same place where they got the parrot. Perhaps the bearded man would ask one of the Princes to shoot a deer today. If they could steal it, as they had the bird, they would not have to worry about food for days.
After hours of observation, Ekalavya discovered he had been doing it all wrong. His grip, his stance, and even the way he held his head while taking aim, were all wrong. He made a mental note of how the Princes did it. The Guru was sweet to a handsome teenager who shot arrows with surprising agility and skill - the same boy who had shot the parrot through its eye and so provided their meal. 'I will be better than him,' vowed Ekalavya. He was tempted to go and ask the Guru whether he would teach him as well. What was so wrong in trying? He had heard rumours that Kripa was training the Suta boy. Of course, Sutas were many notches above Nishadas in the caste hierarchy, but why not try it? 'If he insults me, what will I do?' Ekalavya wondered. Conflicting thoughts tortured the young Nishada boy. He was afraid of rejection, but the ambition that burned in his mind was too strong to ignore. By the evening, he had decided to take the chance.
As Ekalavya approached Drona, the evening sun was slowly setting behind the distant mountains. The boys sat in rows. Drona was reciting a mantra. The boys repeated it with waning enthusiasm. Ekalavya found his courage draining away with each step. He wanted to run back and hide in the bushes but it was too late. He heard footsteps behind him and knew that blasted urchin had followed him. As they drew near, Drona looked at the Untouchables in surprise and shock. Ekalavya heard the chanting stop as all eyes turned towards them. Drona stood like a statue carved from stone, mentally measuring the distance between them to avoid pollution as per the smritis. He stood with his arms crossed over his muscular chest, his eyebrows raised. Ekalavya shuddered. He considered touching Drona's feet as he had seen the Princes do every day and tentatively took a step forward.
"Stop!"
Ekalavya froze at Drona's command. 'Why did I come?' he wondered.
"Why are you here?"
Ekalavya seemed to have lost all power of speech. "Swami, I... I... wish to be your student," he somehow managed.
"I have seen you somewhere before. Wait, are you not the Nishada boy who stole the mangoes when I first came to this lawless land?" the Guru asked.
Ekalavya just wanted to turn and run. He should not have come. This was no place for Untouchables like him.
The Guru of the Royals peered down at the cowering Nishada boy. Turning to Suyodhana, Drona hissed, "See what your father has done. He has allowed such worms to rise up and demand education from Brahmins. See how this country has been ruined. I knew it would come to this. I warned the Grand Regent of the Kurus long ago. Making a Shudra the Prime Minister; allowing all sorts of freedom to people who do not deserve it. Disgusting! First, the Suta boy wanted to be my student, with the Prime Minister actually recommending his case. Now even Untouchables want to be archers. The rise of the Kali Yuga is imminent. If this is the case now, what atrocities will occur when you become the ruler of this land, Prince? Not that you ever will be."
Suyodhana's eyes lit with anger but before he could respond, Drona turned towards the Nishada boy, who was still standing with his head hanging in shame.
Ekalavya could sense Jara laughing behind him. He saw Prince Suyodhana looking at the urchin in curiosity. Drona too, looked at the pathetic figure. The boy had sores on his feet and his dark, curly hair had matted into a dirty coil. With his spindly legs, protruding belly, and rashes all over his skin, he was a disgusting object in the eyes of the fastidious Guru. Ekalavya's heart skipped a beat as he watched his face.
"You dirty devil! How dare you come and pollute this place?"
Ekalavya thought at first that the Guru was addressing him. It took him a few moments to realize the Guru's anger was directed at Jara, standing behind him with a stupid grin on his face. 'Oh Shiva! Why did the nitwit follow me and spoil my chances? If he had not come, the Guru would not have been so angry.'
Jara tried to stand still but an overwhelming urge to scratch overcame him. Disregarding the holy presence of a pious Brahmin and the Princes in their resplendent garb, the slumdog's nails scratched patterns on his body. Jara tried to compensate with a buck-toothed smile.
"Get out of here!" shouted Drona, his chest heaving with anger as laughter rose from the ranks of his students. Many of the Princes found this little monkey amusing and one of the Kaurava Princes whistled softly. Suyodhana, Sushasana, and Aswathama, were all laughing. Bhima shared his Kaurava cousins' amusement but caught the eye of his elder brother and stopped himself just in time. He imitated the serious expression his brothers wore and tried to look sufficiently enraged at the insult the two Untouchables were offering the strict Guru.
"Silence!" Drona directed his anger towards the Kauravas. As the hilarity died down, Drona turned his ire on the two Untouchables. Jara instinctively read Drona's mind and backed away. The foolish grin had gone from his face and an expression of concern replaced it. Drona took a few steps towards Ekalavya. "Boy." Drona's voice had lost its harsh edge. Ekalavya looked up in surprise. Perhaps Lord Shiva had showered his blessings upon him finally, thought the Nishada, while Jara took a few more steps backwards. "I cannot be your teacher. The State employs me to teach the Princes. I cannot take a Nishada as a student. Go back to the forest, live with your people, and do your dharma. I have nothing to offer you."
Ekalavya's heart sank and his gaze dropped to the ground in defeat.
"But I can give you some sound advice," Drona continued. Advice was cheap and everyone gave it freely to others. Ekalavya looked up to see Drona staring at Jara, who took a few more steps backwards. "Who is that evil-looking boy?"
Ekalavya glanced at Jara with hatred and contempt. "He is an orphan and has stuck with us like a pest for some time now."
"Hmm, I thought so. He is too dark to be even a Nishada. What is his caste?"
Ekalavya wondered where this conversation was going. He had never thought about Jara's caste. "I do not know," he mumbled.
"What caste are you?" Drona repeated, this time to Jara, who blinked a few times. He did not know. Nobody had told him. Nobody had ever asked. "Boy," Drona said to Ekalavya, "beware of this casteless fellow. He is evil. He will bring you bad luck. Get rid of him. You at least have a caste. It may be a low one, but you still have something. You have your caste dharma. He has nothing. No values moor him to life and he will stoop to anything. He is no better than an animal. Look at his evil face. As long as he is with you, you will have no luck in life. Now go back to the forest and live a fulfilling life befitting your caste. Be a good Nishada and perhaps in the next life you will be born into a higher caste. Gradually, through many lives and by following your caste dharma diligently, you will become a Brahmin in one of your rebirths. The Gods have ordained that you spend this life as a Nishada. Accept what has been ordained. Do not ruin it by associating with low people like that boy and fall further." So saying, Drona turned on his heel and the Princes followed him back home.
The sun had almost disappeared behind the blue hills to the north and twilight was spreading its quiet mantle across the world, ending another day. Ekalavya felt the eyes of the Prince who had given him the mangoes, boring into him. But he did not want to meet those eyes; he felt that his whole world had ended.
***
From a distance, Suyodhana watched the Nishada boy and whispered to his friend, "Your father's behaviour was despicable to say the least." Aswathama's heart sank when his best friend pointed out the obvious.
"I do not know why he behaves like that, Suyodhana. At home, he is a strict father but I always feel the love he has for me. He is a different man then. He treats my mother with love and affection. He knows she secretly gives some of his hard-earned money to her brother,
Kripa, who either gambles it away or gives it to his friend, Carvaka, who works among the poor in the slums of Hastinapura. Sometimes, he does beat me mercilessly but in the dead of night, when he thinks I am asleep, he comes and kisses me tenderly and I feel he will break my heart with his love. He is a difficult man to understand. He left his childhood home and all our relatives to give us a better life here. His Guru, Parashurama, warned him that nothing good would come of associating with Kshatriyas and that he would be betraying his Brahmin lineage by teaching the Kuru Princes the science of arms. He is a man torn between his beliefs and his basic good nature, Suyodhana. I hope that one day his nature will get the better of his education and he will reject the philosophy of Bhargava Parashurama for good."
AJAYA I -- Roll of the Dice Page 12