The Mahabharata of Palmira

8 Karna leaves home-1

8 Karna leaves home

The kshatriya in Anga whom Charvaka had in mind to teach the young Karna was a little hesitant at first. But after a few lessons Karna’s aptitude made it easy for the warrior to forget about other considerations, and concentrate instead on the art of the bow.

However, during his very first stay in Varanasi with Charvaka, Karna decided thenceforth to take lessons only from the ratha there, whose technique was superior to the Angan fighter.

Over the next few years Karna went to stay with Charvaka as often as he could. And with the rishi he learnt not only to read and write, but all that he could assimilate about the construction of bows, the different types of arrow, the seasoning of wood, the preparation of bowstrings, the various materials and metals which Charvaka used, and a dozen other skills. Indeed, by the time Karna was twelve he knew as much about these things as any of the kshatriyas in Anga. There were even some matters, particularly anatomy and the treatment of wounds, about which he was already much more of an expert than these local warriors. Charvaka had taught him not only all the vital points to aim for on the torso, but also points where an arrow might pass through the body without damage, or where he could temporarily disable an opponent without lasting injury.

As regards his actual skill with the bow, his progress was exceptional. There were one or two experienced rathas in Anga who were as fast as he was. His small hands could not yet handle as many arrows as could a grown man. But none had his accuracy of aim. Already from the age of nine he had been winning all the competitions in Anga.

Although he remained a quiet boy, he was now able to relax more with other people. Or rather, for it was really the other way round, people were no longer so uncomfortable in his presence. It is true, the kshatriyas and brahmanas were not very enthusiastic about his activities. But since he was only a young boy, they did not need to take him too seriously. They tended to regard him as a passing oddity, a transient phenomenon who would gradually merge into the humbler rank of the suta as he grew older. For the same reason they tolerated his lack of deferential respect. For he had followed Charvaka’s advice, and resolutely refused to bow to those who considered themselves his superiors.

There was one thing about which the local brahmanas would take issue with Karna: Charvaka. They would try to question why Karna went to see him. Some believed outright that it was wrong for Karna to be taught by Charvaka. They even warned Adhi and Radha.

But when Karna tried to get the brahmanas to explain what was wrong with Charvaka, all they would say was that he was evil. He had after all, they told him, been banished from Hastinapura.

‘For your own good we tell you this, Karna: be wary of Charvaka. He was known in Hastinapura as an evil man. Some say that it was only the fact that he was a great friend of Bhishma’s which saved his life. It is said that he worships a strange goddess, Kali.’

The lower castes, on the other hand, appeared to have no objection to Karna’s training under Charvaka. If anything, they were grateful to the rishi. For they were proud of Karna’s achievements, despite his solitary and undemonstrative nature. They even had become openly warm and affectionate to the boy.

Now that he was growing physically, his ear-rings no longer stood out as much. And people seemed to have forgotten about his second skin. He certainly did his best never to reveal it. His mother had taught him how to add the extra links himself, so that he could continue enlarging his golden corselet while he was away.

In Varanasi, when he stayed with Charvaka, he was accepted more easily than he had been in Anga, as a strange but interesting visitor. He did not himself make friends readily with the other children there. But when he was ten, or thereabouts, he had started taking his little brother Vrisha with him to see the rishi. Vrisha, who was five years younger than Karna, had been keen to learn to read and write like his elder brother. And it was through Vrisha that Karna had begun to mix more with the children of Varanasi. For Vrisha, though the youngest, was the most talkative and inquisitive of the family.

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‘What impresses me most of all is that he doesn’t seem to need to impress...’

‘It’s still your throw, Charvaka...’

‘When he releases the arrow he really does aim it at the target. Not at us, not at the hearts of the spectators, nor at his teachers, nor at his rivals... And yet ―’

‘You didn’t tap!’

‘What? Oh... I’m sorry, Shakuni ―’

‘Charvaka! Please! I thought it was a bit strange aiming for a common on a tiger. And I know your paddock is a little insecure, but if the dice rolls out of it you must throw it again.’

‘I’m sorry... Yes... And yet he knows what impression he’s making. He has a quite remarkable ability to concentrate, to narrow down on what he’s doing, while retaining complete awareness of what’s going on around him. I haven’t come across it before, not to this extent...’

‘Yes, my dear, certainly not in yourself at the moment — what exactly are you thinking of? Is that a blocking bet or are you laying eggs? And could you kindly not fiddle with the dice when I’m throwing! Go on, put it back in the dice bowl...’

‘Sorry, Shakuni... But you know, his vision really is remarkable. The mongoose doesn’t have it. Certainly not Drona. Nor Satyaki or Bhuri. With the boar it’s rather difficult to tell... Of course, I never saw Parashu when he was this boy’s age, but I definitely think Karna is as good if not better than Bhishma when I first saw him — and I think Bhishma must have been a couple of years older.’

‘You really think he will be better than Bhishma? Why? What is Bhishma good at?’

‘Shakuni! Aagh! You distracted me on purpose!’

‘I’m sorry, Charvaka, but I touched down first. In any case, your bet’s in the wrong column! Excellent, another thirty-two for striking the limit...’

‘I don’t think I like playing dice with you, Shakuni... Where did I go wrong?’

‘My dear, it’s better to lose the lion than leave the tiger. And just what do you think it’s like for me? My sister has four, five boys now? I’ve lost count. But she still gives me a good game and manages to do so without mentioning her offspring once! Let alone boasting about them. Not that she has very much scope there, poor thing. Though Dur is an interesting boy... I came to Varanasi to get away from my own unpleasant child and nephews, and what do I get? Barely interrupted drivel about this Karna of yours. It really is quite unlike you, Charvaka. And by the way, one of the Pandava boys is supposed to be the best thing since his father Indra, so I expect your boy will meet his match there. Yes, Pritha’s youngest... Arjuna... Really, Charvaka, the least you can do in exchange for my having to endure your effusions is to enlighten me with a little divine gossip. Is this Karna’s mother a goddess as well?’

‘Shakuni... You know I’m not going to tell you. Get on with the game.’

‘What game? You call this...’

‘Ah! Here we are! That is Karna, the bigger one. The little one is Vrisha. My boys, this is Shakuni, a friend of mine from Gandhara.’

Karna nodded his head and Vrisha bowed with considerable zest.

‘Sire,’ started Vrisha, as soon as he was upright again, ‘is it wrong to kill a mouse?’

‘Not now, Vrisha ―’

‘No, Charvaka, answer him,’ urged Shakuni. ‘It’s an excellent question, my dear,’ he said to Vrisha. ‘I only wish my own son would ask me something. All he ever asks is for something. Well, Charvaka? Enlighten the boy!’

‘Vrisha, I’m not sure your question has an answer.’

‘Typical!’ interjected Shakuni. ‘Don’t stand for it, Vrisha!’

‘That is precisely the problem,’ rejoined Charvaka. ‘You see, Vrisha, standing in one place, your question does indeed have an answer, and an answer which is very easy to find out. But standing in another place, your question has no answer at all. In any case, my boy, even if I knew whether it was wrong to kill a mouse, I’m not sure it wouldn’t be wrong of me to tell you.’

‘But sire,’ persisted Vrisha, ‘all the other boys know.’

‘Do they? Well, what do they say, then?’

‘Some say yes and some say no, sire.’

‘Really? And how do they obtain these excellent answers?’

‘They asked their parents, sire. Their parents told them. But I can’t go back to Anga just to find out, so you’ll have to tell me, sire.’

‘No, my boy... I suggest you pick one of your little friends and then go and ask his parents. After all, if they’re good enough for your friend, they’re good enough for you. There, you see, it’s really quite an easy question to answer if you stand in the right place.’

‘But sire, how do the parents know the answer if you don’t,’ objected Vrisha. ‘You’re the rishi. You’re supposed to know more than they do. How do they know?’

‘That is quite another question,’ returned Charvaka. ‘It may also be answered, of course, but in a different way. One way is not fit for all. So please, Vrisha, one question at a time. If you try to ask everything in one voice, you will only babble. Now, off you go...’

The next day Charvaka obliged his friend by trying to concentrate on the game. They were again interrupted by Vrisha and Karna; but by this time Shakuni had beaten Charvaka so often, in spite of the rishi’s efforts, that they were both glad of the diversion.

Again Vrisha bowed low to Shakuni, who nodded in acknowledgement. ‘Have you another good question for this bad rishi?’

‘Yes, sire.’ Vrisha turned to Charvaka. ‘Sire, what is the meaning of life?’

‘Vrisha! What sort of question is that!’

‘They told me it’s the sort you’re supposed to ask a rishi, sire. They said the question about the mouse was probably too easy for you, sire. But Karna thinks this new question can’t be answered, even by a rishi.’

‘Oh, does he?’ Charvaka looked at Karna. ‘Again, boys, it depends where you are standing when you ask it.’

‘I can’t imagine it having an answer,’ said Karna.

‘Perhaps not if you were to ask it,’ said Charvaka. ‘But I think I can imagine circumstances where it may be both asked and satisfied. Yes... Suppose a glorious being descends from the sky, speaks to you, explains to you that he is the Emperor of the Moon, and that he made this world of ours from dust for his own amusement. Eh? He then proceeds to explain everything you ask him about this world and your life within it. And you are satisfied. Well, your question would be answered.’

‘But what would be the meaning of the Emperor’s life?’ asked Karna.

‘Ah, now that is another question. And that too may be answerable. But, in my view, you cannot ask a question that hopes to answer everything — and still make sense. One net, after all, will not catch all fish. You have to size the mesh for the catch you seek. But, if you can sensibly describe the fish, then you can sensibly describe the net to catch it with. On the other hand, if you don’t even know what sort of fish you’re after, well... As I say, one net will not catch all fish.’ Charvaka turned to Vrisha. ‘There, my boy. Is that the sort of answer you were expecting from your rishi?’

‘I think his excellent question deserved a much better answer,’ exclaimed Shakuni. ‘Ah! If only my son were interested in questions rather than things! Tell me, Vrisha, if this Emperor of the Moon really did descend from the sky, and offered you one wish, absolutely anything you wanted, what would you ask for?’

‘Could I really ask for anything at all?’

‘Of course. He’s the Emperor of the Moon. One wish, but anything at all, any thing or any answer. What would you ask for?’

Vrisha looked up at the ceiling as if imagining the event.

‘I’d ask for two wishes.’

‘Oh!’ Shakuni slapped his thigh. ‘Excellent! Excellent, my dear!’

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The time came, just after the thirteenth anniversary of Adhi and Radha’s discovery of the baby Karna, when Charvaka advised them that the boy was now ready to go to Hastinapura.