KARNA: Son of the Charioteer

Chapter 9

Radheya has been walking for months towards Mount Mahendra. He wants to find the teacher Drona. The great guru Parashurama who taught devastra to Drona. The legendary guru whose life is eternal. From the information gathered along the way, Parashurama might be in the Mahendragiri area or on Mount Mahendra.

During the journey, Radheya disguised himself as a Brahmin because he knew that Parashurama only accepted students from a Brahmin. Throughout the journey, Radheya depended on the kindness of others. Like a Brahmin on a sacred journey without possessions to achieve enlightenment.

Radheya's conscience actually rejected deceiving by becoming a Brahmin just to learn a skill. However, his mind kept giving reasons to calm himself, he was born into a family whose caste was not clearly known. There is a possibility that he also comes from a Brahmin family.

Furthermore, during months of traveling as a Brahmin, he realized more about himself, humanity, life, death, and an unseen power that governs everything. He wants to seek something beyond the power of devastra.

He wants to seek the meaning of his life on earth. Parashurama might give him an answer to the meaning of his life, the meaning of why humans were created.

After all, isn't Parashurama an incarnation of Lord Vishnu? Who is said to be a descendant of Lord Brahma and a student of Lord Shiva.

The long journey took him across thousands of kilometers, and each step brought various questions about his life.

What will he do after meeting his Guru?

He will ask to be taught the skill of devastra.

What will he do after acquiring that skill?

He will challenge Drona and become famous.

What will he do after becoming famous?

He will become wealthy and make his parents happy, and build his own family.

And after all that?

He will die.

Radheya sat on a rock and gazed at the moonless starry night sky. No matter how many times he tried to ask and answer, in the end, he only got one answer, death. Suddenly, he felt, isn't this world too futile to live for just fame that will ultimately vanish with death.

Is there a meaning to life's purpose that surpasses death?

Will there be an answer to the question of who he truly is, so that he might understand the meaning of his existence in life?

Radheya embarked on a long journey that exposed him to various types of people. A wealthy person, a poor person, one suffering, one happy. But none of them escaped the grip of death.

A wealthy person who is happy and a poor person who was once very wealthy. A poor person suffering and a wealthy person who was once poor in the past. An old person with disabilities who was once a strong and mighty man. None are eternal.

Radheya's tears flowed, isn't life so sad when people don't know what they are looking for on Earth. It feels lost in a long journey without finding a way back to a true home. Drenched in sadness and suffering.

Radheya walked along a small road around Mount Mahendra, rumored to be often passed by the great guru Parashurama. He quickly looked for a tree where he could sit cross-legged and seek shelter from the scorching sun or rain.

While waiting there, Radheya tried to recall the teachings of the Vedas that he had learned and repeated during the months-long journey.

He meditated to find something about himself, the universe, and a meaning of his presence in this universe.

On the 21st day since Radheya waited in his meditation, an old man walked towards him. With slow and respectful movements, Radheya bowed towards the street and prostrated himself before the old man. "Am I facing the respected Mahaguru Parashurama from all corners?" He repeated this question to every passerby on that deserted street.

The old man looked at Radheya and said, "Yes, and who are you? What brings you here looking for me?"

Radheya's heart leaped with joy, but his body bowed even deeper. "Please accept my humble respects," Radheya said while prostrating himself once more. "My name is Radheya. Following the steps of destiny, I am here to seek to become a disciple of Mahaguru Parashurama."

"Who are your parents? Are you from the Brahmin caste? Because I only teach a Brahmin," replied Mahaguru Parashurama.

Radheya bowed and said, "Everyone is born multiple times in this world. They become Brahmins, Kshatriyas, or others. My father is the sun, and my mother is the Ganges river. I dare not claim to be from the Brahmin caste, due to my low knowledge of the Vedas and my actions still lacking to attain moksha. I greatly hope to have a guru to guide me to become a true Brahmin and achieve yoga."

Parashurama laughed joyously upon hearing his words because he knew that only Brahmins were taught about the Vedas and the path to achieving yoga.

"There are three paths to achieve Yoga," said Mahaguru Parashurama. "Namely Karma Yoga, the path to enlightenment through actions. Bhakti Yoga, the path to enlightenment through devotion and worship of the Almighty. Lastly, Jnana Yoga, the path to enlightenment through true knowledge of life and self. Tell me, in what way do you wish to achieve yoga in your life?"

Radheya prostrated himself, "I do not know. Let the Guru guide me as a disciple to attain moksha through the path that the Guru deems best for me."

Parashurama looked at Radheya for a while and then looked at the sky. "It is a guru's responsibility to teach knowledge to those who seek it without asking for anything in return. But I, Parashurama, only accept students who are destined for me. Has anyone introduced you to me that you are here?"

"I have no one. Armed only with the great name of Mahaguru, I passed through these mountains seeking the guru's footsteps." Radheya's heart felt painful. He knew that a renowned guru like Parashurama wouldn't casually accept a student, especially one without a clear background.

Also, no one directly introduced him.