Karn-1

Today Raadheya was 16 years old. It was his birthday. Adhirath brought a new chariot with new horses for him.  He had taken leave from his Saarathee's services from Dhritraashtra to educate his son Raadheya, he told him that he would start teaching him to be a Saarathee. But Raadheya did not want to be a Saarathee. He wanted to learn weaponry. He asked his mother Raadhaa - "Mother, What is it that I do not want to be a charioteer and I always want to be an archer. Why is this so?"

Raadhaa said - "Yesterday you were talking in your dream, "Who are you? Why do you haunt me like this?" My son, What was that dream?" Raadheya said - "Mother, Vey often I see this dream. That there is woman clad in beautiful expensive clothes, her face is hidden so I cannot see it. I am lying down and she bends over me. Hot tears from her eyes fall on me. I get up and ask her, "Who are you?", but she vanishes like a ghost. I do not want to be a charioteer. There must be some explanation for them."

Raadhaa drew him nearer to her and said - "Putra, Now is the time that I should tell you the story. It happened 16 years ago, the day of today, your father went to Gangaa to offer morning prayers to Soorya Dev. He heard a child's cry. He saw around but he did not see any child crying. But he saw a shining box floating on Gangaa waters. He thought that maybe the cry was coming from that box. So he swam to the middle of the river and brought it to the banks and opened it. To his amazement he found a most beautiful child he had ever seen in that box.

He rushed home and said to me - "Raadhaa, Raadhaa, see what I have brought for you." I ran out to see that what he had brought for me, and I couldn't believe my eyes. He was holding a child in his arms. I Took him in my laps and said - "It is so beautiful. It has a Kavach and Kundal, then it must be belonging to some Devtaa. No earthly child can have such beauty." Your father said - "Maybe because you are childless, that is why some Devtaa had created this child and sent it to us. I am going to call him Raadheya as he will be your beloved son."

We were thrilled to have a son. I looked at the box, it was no ordinary box. You were wrapped in an expensive silk that only a princess could use. Since you were born with Kavach and Kundal we named you "Vasushen", but your father has always called you Raadheya. Maybe it is because of your birth you do not want to be a charioteer and want to learn archery, because you might be a Kshatriya. My son, you are no my son, go in the world and search for your mother. I am grateful to Bhagvaan to give a son for all these years."

Raadheya said - "Mother, you also want to abandon me? I will not let it happen. I know that you are my mother and you will always be. I am proud to be a Soot-Putra. And don't worry. Learning has never cared for cast or creed. I am going now, but remember that I will come back only to you.

Karn and Drone

Helpless Adhirath had to bring him to Drone, because at that time Drone was the only best teacher of archery in the world and like other fathers, he also wanted to educate his son by the best teacher. Drone said - "Adhirath, you? You used to be Mahaaraaj's Saarathee?" "Yes Aachaarya." Drone asked - "Is he your son?" "Yes Aachaarya." Drone asked Raadheya - "What is your name?" "Raadheya" Adhirath said - "His mother's name is Raadhaa, that is why he is called Raadheya." Drone said - "Your name doesn't match with the shine of your face. You have Soorya's shine on your face your name should have been Karn. Well, tell me why did you come here?"

Adhirath said - "He was insisting to learn weaponry, so where a father can take his son to learn this except you?" Drone said - "I should have been very pleased to donate knowledge (Vidyaa Daan)..." The then Raadheya said - "Excuse me Aachaarya, I do not accept donations and knowledge cannot be taken in donation." Drone continued his sentence - "... But in this Gurukul nobody else except princes and Kshatriya are educated, and your son is neither a prince nor a Kshatriya. You will have to search any other Guru for him."

Raadheya said - "Does education check for caste first? Does Maa Saraswatee (Devee of knowledge) ask for father's name first? May I ask you one question?" Ashwatthaamaa was sitting there so pointing towards him Raadheya asked - "Who is this youth?" Drone said - "He is Ashwatthaamaa, my son." Raadheya said - "Means, he is neither a prince nor a Kshatriya." and went away. Drone got silent at this comment of Raadheya.