Karna looked at the passing procession with new eyes. He was not, after all, the first person to have broken the caste ranks. Someone had done it from an even lowlier position. And Suyodhana had not been the first Prince to defy the strict caste rules. But the mention of Parashurama touched a painful chord in the Suta's heart.
"Hey, do you know the Nishada General has a son whom he left behind with his brother when he went off in pursuit of his ambitions?" Jayadratha asked his friends.
"I have heard so. It is also rumoured that he is the same boy my father ordered to sacrifice his thumb for Arjuna's sake. Ekalavya... yes, that was the name. Even now I cannot get over the gross injustice my father did to that poor boy," Aswathama said.
The others looked away embarrassed, not knowing how to react. When they entered the huge hall where the event was to take place, they saw Balarama talking to Jarasandha. Suyodhana went towards his mentor and Guru and touched his feet. One by one, his friends did the same. Balarama introduced them to the King of Magadha and his faithful Nishada General. Jarasandha then took his leave and went to his allotted seat with his General.
"I received your letter Suyodhana, and I am happy for both of you. We shall have the engagement after the monsoon. I was afraid you would never ask and leave my sister broken hearted. I shall drop in at Hastinapura and seek the permission of His Highness Dhritarashtra, and the Grand Regent, so that we can formally settle the alliance," Balarama said to an ecstatic Suyodhana, while Jayadratha twitched his fingers uneasily. "Ah, King of Anga... I am proud of you, Karna. You have proved that talent knows no barriers." The Yadava leader clasped Karna by the shoulders.
Karna swallowed the lump in his throat and smiled at the man who had inspired him to surmount all odds. He looked around and saw a bejewelled Draupadi seated on the dais. Their eyes met and his heart leapt in his chest. She smiled at him and Karna thought he would collapse and die. He looked away, trying to listen to what Balarama was saying to him.
"This is an uncivilised way of arranging a match. It insults the dignity of a woman. I came here to ensure no Yadava Prince participates. Either the man and woman fall in love and get married or the elders arrange a suitable match."
Engrossed in Balarama's tirade against the barbarian custom of the modern swayamvara, Karna and his friends did not see Krishna move towards Draupadi. Shikandi and Prince Dhristadyumna were with him, as was the Chief Priest of Panchala. Had they looked at the dais, they would have seen Krishna gently chiding the Panchala Princess, and the dismay on her face. But they did not see Krishna pointing to Karna and saying something. Her brother too whispered in her ear. Draupadi turned away, trying to control the tears brimming in her eyes. Then Krishna pointed towards a group of Brahmins. She looked up to see five tall men standing amongst them. Somehow, they looked like warriors rather than Priests. One amongst them stood staring at her. When their eyes met, he looked away, as if ashamed. Before she could say anything, the bugle announcing the arrival of her father sounded and the assembly rose as Dhrupada, King of Panchala, walked in with his Queen. The murmuring died away as everyone waited for him to speak.
"Honourable Kings and Princes of India, Panchala humbly acknowledges your esteemed presence. From the moment a girl is born, her parents wait for this auspicious day. Today, my precious daughter will find her life partner. All the Princes assembled here today are fine warriors, yet there is no limit to a father's greed when it comes to the good of his daughter. I want only the very best to win her hand, by mesmerising us with his skill. My Minister will explain the rules of the contest." The King sat down with a happy smile and the assembly of nobles resumed their seats.
Animated chatter broke out among the nobles and stopped only when the Prime Minister of Panchala announced the rules. He drew their attention to a metallic fish rotating on the ceiling at blazing speed. A huge copper vessel, filled to the brim with water, was placed directly below it on the floor. A slightly wavy reflection of the rotating fish could be seen in the water. Each contestant had to pick up the bow placed over the vessel and string it. Then, looking only at the reflection of the fish, he had to shoot the metal fish in the eye. Each contestant had two minutes to make the attempt.
The task seemed ridiculously simple compared to the rules at other swayamvaras they had attended. One Prince related how he had fought a tiger to win his present wife. Compared to that, this challenge seemed silly. Karna looked at the faces around him and smiled. He had correctly judged the difficulty of the task. His eyes locked on Draupadi, his heart pounding. Why was she not looking at him? Karna was desperate to catch a glimpse of those lovely eyes, but the Princess kept staring at her toes.
When Balarama rose to speak, there was angry murmuring among the contestants. "Your Highness, forgive me if I sound impudent. But I think your daughter deserves better than this. She is not a prize horse to be auctioned. It is time we stop this custom. In ancient times, the swayamvara had no contest. The maiden chose her husband from many suitors, by placing a garland upon him. Only the woman's choice mattered. This game of showmanship is disrespectful towards the woman, making her a commodity to be bartered, sold, won, or lost, like cows and sheep. Let the Princess Draupadi chose her husband and let there be no unseemly contest for her hand."
"Sir, with all due respect, this is my daughter's future. What is wrong with a father wishing only the best warrior to wed his daughter? She is young and cannot be expected to make a rational decision. She might just choose the most handsome man, as young girls are wont to do. I want only the best for my daughter and as a Kshatriya; I prefer her husband be a great warrior." The Panchala King spoke politely to Balarama, but the Yadava leader did not miss the underlying contempt in his host's voice.
"Your Highness, she is like a daughter to me too, but the best warrior need not be the best husband. I too, am concerned for her future. If the Princess does not have freedom of choice, why call this a swayamvara? But I will not waste everyone's time. Perhaps I am old-fashioned and unable to keep up with these modern trends. But as the leader of the Yadavas, I can speak for my people. We are against this custom and I order that no Yadava take part in this contest." Balarama sat down, his face carved in stone. A groan rose from the ranks of the young Yadavas. Their leader was becoming crankier by the day.
Karna did not hear half his mentor's words. Suyodhana said something to him but that too went over the Suta's head. His lips had gone dry. He prayed she would look at him just once more. When the gong sounded, marking the beginning of the contest, he was startled and averted his gaze from her. His eyes met those of Krishna. He smiled at the Yadava and Krishna smiled back. 'Perhaps he no longer hates so much,' Karna thought, relieved at the apparent cordiality of his old foe.
The contest began in earnest. Lots were drawn and the first few Princes soon found the task was not as easy as it looked. The bow was very heavy and if a contestant managed to lift it, ripples disturbed the faint reflection in the water and they could no longer see their target. One by one, each one failed. There were angry murmurs and protests that the time stipulated was too short. As the day wore on, there were many sulky faces. A few were able to lift the bow, but their aim left them embarrassed. Jarasandha, King of Magadha, almost got it but his arrow missed the fish's eye by a fraction. From his smile it was evident he did not wish to win, and winked at Balarama as he passed him.
"You are old enough to be her father, Your Highness," Balarama said to his old friend as the Magadha King returned to his seat.
"I am here merely to do my duty by my kingdom, not to win," said the King.
Karna's turn came. He did not hear Aswathama wishing him good luck. He felt Suyodhana's hand on his shoulder. Like a man in trance, he walked towards the bow. 'One glance from her, oh God,' he prayed. But Draupadi sat like a statue, her head bowed. The gong sounded again. The warrior in Karna pushed away the lover. He took his time to walk around the bow, judging its weight by its appearance. Then he looked at the revolving fish. Finally, he stood at an an
gle to the bow and lifted it easily, without causing any ripples in the water. The assembly of nobles waited anxiously as Karna strung the bow and raised it above his head. He picked up the arrow and drew the bowstring taut, his eyes never leaving the reflection of the target in the water.
"I will not marry a Suta." The soft whisper came from Draupadi. It sounded like a thunderclap in the silent and expectant hall.
There was a stunned silence. But Karna did not hear. Every cell of his being was concentrated on the target. He shot the arrow and hit the eye of the revolving fish with a clang. A roar of applause shattered the silence as Karna looked triumphantly at Draupadi. But she did not raise her head. Prince Dhristadyumna went up to Karna and asked him to return to his seat. Karna looked perplexed. Had he not hit the target after all?
A Priest shouted angrily, "Did not you hear, Suta? The Princess does not wish to marry a low caste. Go back to driving your chariot."
Karna looked at Draupadi's bent head, rage and shame burning in his brown eyes. 'How dare you insult me like this? I was invited to come and I won fairly,' he wanted to shout. Then he saw her lift her head and gaze at him. He saw a sadness that was even deeper than his own, reflected in those dark eyes. Near her, Krishna stood wearing his characteristic smile. Karna knew he had lost.
Suyodhana and Aswathama rushed into the middle of the assembly, their swords drawn. Jayadratha and Sushasana followed close behind. Shikandi and Dhristadyumna ran to stop them and soon many of the Princes present were running into the middle and taking sides randomly. It became a bloody riot, with the elders screaming at the hot-blooded young men to stay calm. Finally, Balarama, Jarasandha and General Hiranyadhanus, boldly ran into the middle and prised apart the fighting warriors. When the combatants had calmed down, there were many people writhing on the floor with grave injuries and a few who were dead. No one saw a dejected Karna leave the assembly.
Karna's world had come crashing down. He jumped into his chariot, whipping the horses. The chariot rushed through the busy streets of Kampilya and people moved aside in fear. The son of the charioteer sat grim faced, anger and hate welling up in his heart. 'Nothing but caste matters here,' he thought bitterly. 'What have I done to deserve this?' As he sped towards Hastinapura, Karna vented his anger on the poor horses. He drove dangerously fast along the highway, when suddenly a beggar and a dog appeared on the road. Karna cursed and pulled urgently at the reins. The chariot stopped perilously close to the beggar and his dog. With one look at the beggar the curse on Karna's lips died. It was the same beggar who had saved his life.
"Swami, do you remember me? You fed me when I was small. Jara... I am Jara.... Do you remember? See how my Krishna has blessed you. You are a King now. The good Prince Suyodhana is your friend. I saw you riding in his chariot the day of the graduation, when we last met. Do you remember, Swami?"
Karna looked at Jara's happy face and the dog's wagging tail. All his anger melted away. The beggar was not speaking of his own role in saving his life; he was not talking about the beatings he had received while Karna, Parashurama's disciple, the great Dharmaveera, had been hiding like a coward in a tree. Instead, the beggar was grateful for the cup of rice Karna's mother had served him years before
"Why are you sad, Swami? You have become a King. But still you are so sad?"
"Jara, take me somewhere where I can find your God. I have lost the meaning of my life." Karna reached out his hand to the beggar.
"Come with me," Jara said, and started running along the road.
Karna shouted at him to get into the chariot, but Jara kept running, his dog in tow. Karna followed in the chariot and soon found himself in a colony of lepers and sick people. Everything became clear to him. Balarama's words about what he owed each blade of grass in this country, came rushing back to him. He saw Jara giving away the little he had earned that day to people still more unfortunate than himself. Karna was stricken with guilt. 'I am a mere Suta yet my friend made me a King. The best Gurus trained me. I have everything, yet I am bitter because a woman, who cannot think beyond caste, did not want me.'
Impulsively, Karna began giving away his ornaments. Then he stripped his chariot of its golden stripes and gave them away as well. Soon he was mobbed by people asking for more and more. He gave away almost everything he had with him. Jara sat in a corner and sang about the love of Krishna. As dusk fell, more and more people arrived to accept the Suta's charity. His friends arrived, and Aswathama tried to drag Karna away, telling him to fight and regain Draupadi. But Karna refused to move. Suyodhana understood his friend. Silencing Aswathama and gesturing for him to follow, he quietly went to join Karna.
When Karna was left with only his armour, earrings, and the clothes he wore, Suyodhana silently began unclasping his priceless necklaces and handing them over to his friend, who promptly gave them away. Jara was singing about Radha's lost love, Krishna. Despite himself, the bitter echo of Draupadi's words, 'I will not marry a Suta', refused to leave Karna's wounded heart.
***
When the guards had removed the dead and injured, Balarama stood up to address the Panchala King. "Your Highness, such a fracas is to be deplored. You have insulted the King of Anga, a valiant young man, without cause. If you did not wish him to marry your daughter because of his caste, you should not have invited him at all."
Krishna stood up and said with a soothing smile, "Brother, the King has not spoken a word against Karna or his caste. The Princess herself expressed her unwillingness to marry a person of low caste. A few minutes ago, you were telling us that women should have the freedom to choose their husbands. Why should we then deny the Panchala Princess that freedom?"
Balarama glared at his brother in fury. He knew Krishna had tied him in knots using his own words. How clever!
Jarasandha touched his friend's shoulder to pacify him, whispering into his ear, "Leave it, Balarama". The Yadava looked into his friend's eyes for a moment and then shook his head sadly. Jarasandha squeezed his shoulder, forcing him to sit down. Krishna smiled at Dhristadyumna.
All the Princes present had tried their luck, but there was no winner. As the day wore on without any conclusion, the King of Panchala grew more and more anxious. On the advice of Krishna, Draupadi had rejected the only archer to have won her fairly, because of his caste, and now, none of the Kshatriyas was able to even lift the bow, let alone shoot the target. The Panchala King looked pleadingly at Krishna, who smiled, gesturing for him to stay calm. Finally, when there was no Prince left, a tall and muscular Brahmin stepped forward and bowed to the King. There was a smattering of applause from the ranks of the Priests, but everyone else looked at the young Brahmin indifferently. The dejected King nodded his approval for the young Brahmin to try his luck. The Brahmin looked at Krishna for reassurance and Krishna put his clenched fist to his heart and nodded his head.
The Brahmin went up to the bow and studied it. Mimicking the Suta who had won the competition a few hours ago, he lifted it gracefully. The murmurs in the assembly suddenly died away. A few people stood up to get a better look. The air was tense with anticipation. Would this Brahmin win the contest when all the great Princes of India had failed? The drummer, who counted out the seconds with a rhythmic beat of his drum, reached the last three beats. The spectators sat frozen with tension. The Brahmin stood, every inch of his body alert, his mind seeing only the target. A fraction of a second before the last drumbeat, the arrow flew towards the revolving fish. It hit the target precisely as the timekeeper struck his last beat. The assembly was shocked. The Brahmin had done the impossible.
Krishna rushed into the middle and hugged the winner. He turned to the King and announced proudly, "Behold Arjuna, Pandava Prince, and the only man worthy of being Draupadi's husband."
There was a stunned silence at the announcement. The Pandavas were supposed to have perished in the fire at Varanavata. One by one, Arjuna's brothers embraced him and then Krishna. They stood together as Krishna addressed the shocked and silent crowd.
&n
bsp; "As you see, the Pandavas did not perish in the fire set by the malicious Duryodhana and his companions. They escaped unscathed since they are no ordinary mortals but of divine origin. Here is Yudhishtra, the epitome of dharma and the son of the Lord of Death. Here is Bhima; he is none other than the son of God Vayu, Lord of the Winds. Arjuna is the son of Lord Indra, King of the Gods. And Nakula and Sahadeva, are the sons of the divine Aswhini brothers." Krishna paused to gauge the reaction of the assembly. He avoided looking at his brother. He knew Balarama loved him irrespective of their differences of opinion and power struggles. The Yadava leader was naive and soft of heart. Krishna knew he had all the time in the world to pacify him later. But the derisive smile on Jarasandha's lips and the piercing eyes of the Nishada General Hiranyadhanus worried him. The others looked receptive enough and he was confident of his oratory and powers of persuasion.
Krishna continued, "Do not be swayed by the arguments of evil men like the Kauravas, that the Pandavas do not have any claim to Hastinapura as they are not the real sons of Pandu. The Kauravas claim Pandu was impotent. There can be no greater untruth. Pandu insulted a Brahmin in his youthful folly and the holy man cursed him saying he would die if he attempted physical intimacy with a woman. That is the truth and every learned man in this country knows it. As per our scriptures, with the husband's permission, wives can have sons by any Brahmin or God. We consider such women chaste. Learned men also say that the Brahmins or Gods, who thus bless these fortunate women with sons, do not have any responsibility or claim on their progeny. The husband is blessed and the sons born of such divine relationships are considered his progeny alone. Duryodhana wishes to propagate the scandal that the Pandavas are bastards. Greed for power has made him blind to the truth that Yudhishtra is the rightful Crown Prince and not him. He is blinded by arrogance and does not respect dharma.
AJAYA I -- Roll of the Dice Page 35
