Karna, My Son: Chapter Eight

It was a long and arduous journey, a weary walk that took more than two weeks. We were carrying the semi charred remains of Pandu and Madri to Hastinapura for Sraddha, the final rites for the departed souls. The spiritual inquests of Pandu had taken us very deep into the forests. We waded through rivers and walked through mountainous terrains and landed at the outskirts of Hastinapura seventeen days after Pandu’s sudden death.

Immediately after Pandu’s death, the ascetics in the forest had congregated and discussed further course of action. These pious men felt that Pandu had left the five Pandava children and me in their custody, so they had to see that we were settled safely. They decided to entrust us in Dhritarashtra’s and Bhishma’s care.

Hundreds of ascetics and monks set out on this tortuous journey. I had been worried whether the children would be able to withstand the marathon walk. But I needn’t have worried.

The five sons of Pandu seemed to mature overnight right in front of my eyes. No doubt, the sudden loss of camaraderie and paternal protection of Pandu and the motherly affection of Madri shook them, but they were more concerned about my welfare, as I soon found on our way. Nakula and Sahadeva were barely four years old, and it pained me that they had to tread rugged paths for hours on end.

Suddenly, I heard a thud. Sahadeva had slipped and fallen. I dragged my leaden feet towards him. Already Yudhishtra, Bhima, Arjuna and Nakula hovered over him offering to carry him and consoling him with fruits. My eyes brimmed over. Nakula noticed it first, and thinking I was grieving over the deaths, hugged me.

‘Oh, God! Let them be just as affectionate to each other for ever!” I prayed silently.

Soon, all the five gathered round me, telling me to rest. Sahadeva regaled me with stories he had heard from Pandu. He told me the story of a monkey who had forgotten his name, and went around the forest asking every animal what his name was.

“Mother, how does Mother Gandhari remember the names of all the hundred sons?” Nakula asked suddenly.

I smiled. “Son, you are going to have a sister too. Mother Gandhari has a daughter called Dushala.”

I could see a bright shine in every body’s eyes. We got up and continued the journey.