Chapter 1 : Rishi durbhasa
The story begins in the depths of a jungle, where two figures were walking near a humble hut.
The first one looked like a sage—white hair, a white beard, and clad in ascetic robes. One could deduce his nature just by looking at his face: extremely short-tempered, considering himself superior while treating everyone else like insects.
All these traits exist in one person who constantly claims his actions are for the "universal welfare," yet keeps cursing everyone according to his own whims. This is none other than Rishi Durvasa.
I harbor a clear hatred for this Rishi Durvasa. He may be a sage, but all his deeds are like those of a demon; he was simply born in a human form.
I am not denying that the intent behind some of his actions is indeed universal welfare, but one thing disappoints me: for the smallest of mistakes, he gives people such terrifying curses that are worse than death.
He does not care about anyone's life and convinces himself, "I am doing all this for the welfare of the world, so how can I be wrong?" He is a hypocrite of the highest order.
Now, let us talk about the second person. This is Princess Kunti, who is still a maiden. She has served Rishi Durvasa for a whole year, that too without making a single mistake.
That is why Rishi Durvasa is quite troubled, and he wishes to grant Princess Kunti a boon.
"Tell me, Princess Kunti, what boon shall I grant you? You have served me for a year; what do you desire in return?"
Rishi Durvasa was looking at Princess Kunti with a troubled expression.
"No, O Sage, I do not desire any boon from you."
The Princess politely refused Rishi Durvasa.
Surprisingly, Rishi Durvasa did not get angry at this—he, who usually cursed people for the smallest of mistakes.
"Daughter, your heart is so pure; you harbor no desire for any wish. Therefore, today I shall grant you such a boon that no one has ever bestowed upon another until now."
Princess Kunti bowed down and sat before Rishi Durvasa, waiting to receive the boon.
"I give you a mantra as a boon. From this day forth—starting right now—if you invoke any deity by chanting this mantra, that deity will appear before you and bless you with a child born of his essence."
Rishi Durvasa finished bestowing his boon and looked at Princess Kunti. "I am leaving now, Daughter. My work here is finished; so, I shall take my leave."
....
The waters of the river Ganga were flowing, and the sun was directly overhead. The sound of water crashing against the rocks filled the air. The Princess had come here to admire this very view.
Just then, a curiosity arose within Princess Kunti: Is the mantra Rishi Durvasa gave me truly effective? Will it really work, or did he lie to me?
Many such questions began to breed in Princess Kunti's mind, causing her spirit to become restless. Driven by her mind's impulse, she could no longer restrain herself and decided to test it.
Driven by curiosity, the maiden Princess Kunti was about to commit her greatest mistake.
Princess Kunti looked around, wondering which deity to invoke. Suddenly, her gaze fell upon the Sun in the sky, who fills the entire world with light.
Upon seeing him, Kunti decided to proceed. "If this is true, then I will be able to see the Sun God, Surya Dev, in person."
In that moment, Princess Kunti forgot that she was unmarried and what stigma this would bring upon her father. Overpowered by her mind's whims, she failed to recall the final sentence of Rishi Durvasa's boon.
"I, Princess Kunti, invoke you, Surya Dev."
After saying this, Princess Kunti gathered some water from the river Ganga in her cupped hands. Closing her eyes, she began chanting the mantra given by Rishi Durvasa.
Some time later, as soon as Princess Kunti finished reciting the mantra...
Near the sun in the sky, a figure slowly began to manifest. On his head was a crown, on his forehead was the mark of the sun, and he wore robes of blended orange and yellow. A divine radiance emanated from his body. This was Surya Dev in person.
"Open your eyes, Kunti. I, Surya Dev, have appeared before you."
Hearing a voice, Princess Kunti opened her eyes and saw that Surya Dev himself had appeared in the sky.
"Are you truly Surya Dev? I cannot believe it. Please accept my salutations, Surya Dev."
Kunti was astonished at first, but then she bowed her head and offered her reverent obeisance to Surya Dev.
"I accept your salutations, Kunti. Now, in accordance with Rishi Durvasa's mantra, I must grant you a son," Surya Dev said with a smile.
Hearing this, Kunti's joyful expression froze. A son? How could I forget this? How could I forget Rishi Durvasa's words?
"Surya Dev, I do not want a son," Kunti pleaded.
"If you did not want one, then why did you summon me? But Kunti, I am bound by Rishi Durvasa's boon. I must grant you a son born of my essence."
At first, Surya Dev seemed annoyed, but then he expressed his helplessness.
Hearing this, the Princess began to weep, thinking of the stigma that would befall her father.
Surya Dev was also helpless. He raised his hand and bestowed his blessing.
Slowly, an infant appeared in Princess Kunti's lap. The child was wrapped in red cloth and was fast asleep.
"Princess Kunti, my task is done. I shall name my child: this child will be famous in the world by the name of Karna."
He paused, looked at the infant, and said, "For my son's protection, I grant him a golden solar armor (Kavach) and Kundal. No weapon in the world shall be able to pierce my child's armor."
Two kundal appeared on the child's ears and armor appeared upon his body; then, they all began to vanish, merging into Karna's body.
"I must go now, Kunti." Saying this, Surya Dev began to disappear.
Now Kunti found herself in a great moral dilemma. If she took him to the palace, her father would face disgrace.
"What should I do now? On one side is my son, and on the other, my father's honor."
Princess Kunti thought long and hard, and finally decided to place her son in a basket and set him afloat in the river Ganga.
Some time later, the child was sleeping in a basket, and Kunti was weeping.
"Forgive me, my son. Your mother is completely helpless; surely, you will understand this."
To be continued...