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KARNA: Son of the Charioteer Chapter 1
Under the scorching heat of the sun, the sky appeared blue, stretching wide without the presence of clouds.Dry air blew gently as a young woman's hand trembled while lifting a baby to be placed in a wooden box. The brown wooden box had its every corner sealed with wax. No tears were seen in her eyes, only fear and anxiety.The girl's face looked pale. Her parents would either exile her or even kill her with their own hands.Only if they knew she had been involved with someone enough to bear a child without marriage.She looked again at her baby, adorned with earrings and a necklace given by the baby's father.The baby's skin looked radiant. She knew this baby would grow strong, handsome, and brave like his father, who was admired by many. But she truly didn't care about the baby.She just wanted the baby out of her life. She was too young to be a mother.Her only choice was to float this baby down the Ashwanadi river, connected to the Ganges river.Strengthening her resolve, she stoo
KARNA: Son of the Charioteer Chapter 2
That evening, Karna ran home and asked his mother, "Mother, am I not your child? Why do they all say I am illegitimate?"Radha left her work in the kitchen and immediately hugged Karna. "Don't listen to them, Karna. You are our child."That night, Adhiratha came home and found Karna looking sad. Radha secretly told him about what happened that evening.After dinner, Adhiratha called Karna to sit beside him. "Karna, Father will tell you about yourself. Not because we don't love you, but because Father feels you are old enough to know." Adhiratha recounted the entire story of finding him by the Ganges River, and Radha brought out the box and cloth that wrapped him when he was a baby.Karna touched the box and the smooth cloth."We may not be your biological parents," Radha said, "But our love for you is no less than a biological parent's love for their child. We love you."Adhiratha touched Karna's head. "You are Radheya—son of Radha. You are our child even though our blood does not flo
KARNA: Son of the Charioteer Chapter 3
Adhiratha was surprised even though he had suspected it from the beginning. Often in recent years, he had taken Radheya to the palace where he worked to help clean the stables and repair damaged chariots.During breaks, Radheya would always look towards the knights practicing weapons with sparkling eyes. Something within him, a greater destiny, kept calling from deep within his heart."Do studying the Vedas and spirituality not interest you?" Adhiratha knew Radheya studied the Vedas and writing from a Brahmana. He and his wife could see Radheya's interest in that learning."I enjoy it just as much as I enjoy the art of horse riding that Father taught me," Radheya said, pleasing his father. "But martial arts and the art of war make me excited and thirsty to learn."Adhiratha and Radheya remained silent for a while, staring at the flowing water of the Ganges river. The chirping of birds in the forest mixed with the sound of flowing water."Father," Radheya said, bowing his head, "I know
KARNA: Son of the Charioteer Chapter 4
Adhiratha tried his best for his child. On that day, the moment he had been waiting for months finally arrived.When he became the charioteer for King Dhritarashtra. Because King Dhritarashtra had many charioteers, no one knew when they would have the chance to meet him.On the journey, accompanying King Dhritarashtra around the city of Hastinapur, Adhiratha gathered his courage to speak boldly to this blind King.He was ready to be punished if his actions were too bold, but it was the only choice to support his child."Your Majesty, the generous King Dhritarashtra," said Adhiratha as he drove his chariot through the streets of Hastinapur, "I have a request that weighs heavily on my heart. May Your Majesty please listen.""Speak," replied King Dhritarashtra, slightly unaccustomed to being addressed by his charioteer."I have a son whom I obtained from the river Ganga. He has grown into a strong and brave young man. He greatly admires Your Majesty, and his aspiration is to become a war
KARNA: Son of the Charioteer Chapter 5
Almost every day, Radheya visits the horse stables and the carriage workshop located at the back of the palace.His daily tasks revolve around cleaning the horse stables, feeding the horses, bathing them, cleaning the carriages, and other tasks related to horses and carriages.Three weeks have passed since the incident with Drona, and Radheya has been trying not to remember it anymore. Living life as a charioteer has become his destiny."Radheya, come here," called a palace coachman. Radheya, who was brushing the horse's fur, left his work and ran towards the coachman. "Yes?""Give this cloth to the scribe from the back room of the palace library," said the coachman. "He hurriedly left it on his carriage.""Okay," said Radheya, taking the folded cloth and quickly running towards the palace library through the servants' special route.The palace library has two interconnected rooms: one room for the king, prince, and nobles to access, and the back room where the scribes work and exit w
KARNA: Son of the Charioteer Chapter 6
Radheya realized that it would be difficult to find a teacher willing to teach him the art of war and martial arts, as he clearly came from the sudra caste. He looked up at the sun above him and then prostrated himself."God Surya, you who bestow your rays on everyone regardless of caste, let yourself be my teacher." After paying homage like a student to a teacher, he went to a forest with a plan to train in martial arts on his own. He knew that to master martial arts, discipline in training was crucial.Quickly, his feet ran through the trees and bushes to find a high place. Along the way, Radheya found a natural cave that was uninhabited. He unloaded his belongings containing an axe, sword, spear, bow and arrows—items he had ordered from a blacksmith a few months ago.Radheya cut down some trees with his axe, arranged them neatly, and made them into a door for his cave. He turned branches into arrows and spears. The rest became firewood.Every morning, Radheya would train himself wi
KARNA: Son of the Charioteer Chapter 7
The shouts of victory echoed loudly from Radheya's lips, intentionally mocking Drona once again, which angered Ekalavya. Ekalavya then initiated a shooting contest without looking, which he won by a small margin. He proceeded to mock the sun god, Surya, who was Radheya's teacher.Half a year passed with the two young men competing against each other. Radheya trained from morning till night to perfect his archery, as did Ekalavya. Often, they would light a fire at night just to practice. They ate together every day, joked around, and teased each other."I am Drona's best student," Ekalavya declared one day as he successfully shot an eye from a wooden fish-shaped statue from a great distance. Radheya could only grimace.That morning, Ekalavya had invited Radheya to spy on Drona's military school where a competition among Drona's students was being held. One prince managed to shoot an eye from a small wooden fish statue hanging on a distant tree, earning Drona's high praise.Ekalavya was
KARNA: Son of the Charioteer Chapter 8
After worshipping the sun in the morning like usual, Radheya ran to Ekalavya's place."I've been waiting for you since this morning, why haven't you come yet..." Radheya fell silent for a moment upon seeing Ekalavya trying to cover a wound on his right hand with a cloth that already turned red."What happened?" Radheya exclaimed in surprise and immediately grabbed Ekalavya's right hand, which was still bleeding."I'm fine," Ekalavya said.Radheya saw a large missing part where the thumb should have been. Now it only left raw flesh and white bone protruding."Hold on," Radheya said. He lit a fire where Ekalavya usually cooked and then placed a short knife on it.He burned the knife until it glowed red. Radheya held Ekalavya's right hand and then placed the hot knife on the flesh where the thumb used to be.Ekalavya screamed loudly until he passed out.When he woke up, he saw his right hand wrapped in crushed leaves."What happened?" Radheya asked while giving him water to drink.Ekalav
Latest Chapter
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 43
The battle between Bhima and Duryodhana lasted so long. Duryodhana was seen desperately defending himself so that Bhima could not make a real attack.Not long after, Bhima swung his mace at a place that was not protected by Duryodhana at all. His groin. A startled Duryodhana tried to dodge, but the mace quickly struck into Duryodhana's inner thigh, shattering his flesh and thigh bone.In a mace battle, it is strictly forbidden to attack the lower body, let alone the groin. However, Bhima was driven by the desire to win and struck that area. Duryodhana's body immediately fell to the battlefield with blood flowing from his thigh.Duryodhana smiled and laughed, then he shouted, “Alright, I lost. How foolish I was to desire this kingdom when this world itself is false and temporary. Listen, Pandavas, I have been a good king to my people. I have been a formidable enemy to my foes. I have fought as an honest warrior to my last battle. I will die as a warrior and reach heaven, joining my fri
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 42
“What happened?” Arjuna asked Krishna, puzzled. “Why didn’t any of my arrows reach his neck? I have aimed at him repeatedly with my arrows. It’s as if something is protecting him.”“That is Dharma,” Krishna said, gazing into the distance. “Karna continues to perform good deeds and uphold dharma, so all those virtuous acts come together to protect him from death.”“If that’s the case, what should I do to kill him?”“Wait here,” Krishna said, stopping his chariot and dismounting, walking towards Karna who was leaning helplessly against the wheel of his chariot.“The day has reached noon. It is the time when you usually worship the Sun God,” Krishna said. “Will you perform that worship this time as well?”Karna smiled, feeling his chest tight from the arrows that had pierced his lungs. “I would like to if I can.”“Then close your eyes.”As Karna followed Krishna’s command and closed his eyes, he suddenly found himself by the banks of the Ganges, right near the house of Adhiratha and Radh
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 41
Yudhisthira was forced to advance Arjuna because the damage caused by yesterday's battle was truly devastating. During Bhisma's ten days of leadership, it was reported that Bhisma killed as many as 1.27 Akshouhinis of the Pandava army, Drona, during his five days of leadership, killed 1 Akshouhinis, and Karna, who had just led for one day, killed 2.37 Akshouhinis of the Pandava army."You will not be able to kill Arjuna. He, along with Yudhisthira, defends the Dharma of truth. Meanwhile, you and Duryodhana are on the side of evil, and you will soon be destroyed," said King Shalya to Karna.All this while, Karna had been bombarded with insults by King Shalya, who actually felt deceived by Duryodhana's actions. Being the brother of Madri, Pandu's wife, he was still an uncle to the Pandavas. He leaned more towards supporting the Pandavas.Karna did not want to respond to those words and remained silent. When the war drums sounded, Arjuna's chariot sped towards him, and Shalya began to mo
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 40
That translates to:"Not wanting to disappoint Vrushali, that night Karna also didn't say anything to her.Karna couldn't sleep because of his restless feelings. Tomorrow, he would face Arjuna, where Krishna was the protector who could never be defeated.That night as well, a soldier from the Kauravas approached his tent and said someone had left two items for him to be given to Karna.Karna went out and found the two items to be a shining short knife and a copper pot. Both items were given to Draupadi.He took the two items and looked across to where the Pandavas' camp was, feeling an indescribable anxiety."What makes you have such a sad expression?"Karna looked towards the voice and found his wife there."You haven't slept yet?" Karna asked.Vrushali shook her head and said, "I couldn't sleep. Something makes me want to see you."Karna took a deep breath. "I also have something to tell you."Karna invited Vrushali into his tent and said, "There shouldn't be secrets between husband
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 39
Then he shot at the crown hanging above Yudhishthira's head, causing the crown to be thrown away. Without a weapon in his hand and an arrow aimed at him, Karna approached him and said, "Be a good king." Karna then left Yudhishthira without harming him.Karna's chariot continued to move around the battlefield, and when he found Nakula, he shot arrows at Nakula's chariot and the horses. This forced the man to leave his chariot, and Karna passed by, saying, "Practice again."Next, Karna encountered Bhima. His fierce brother tried to attack him. Karna shot dozens of arrows that broke Bhima's bow and the mace thrown by Bhima. However, Bhima continued to chase him with his chariot until Karna had to destroy the chariot's wheels with his arrows.After his chariot was damaged, Bhima quickly left it and chased Karna on foot. Karna shot arrows that stripped Bhima of his armor, causing his brother to run bare-chested, hoping Bhima would stop chasing him. However, Bhima, consumed by anger, seemed
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 38
"Karna!!!" Duryodhana exclaimed, "Starting tomorrow, lead the Kaurava army to victory. Do not disappoint me."Karna saluted deeply, "I promise, tomorrow I will bring your enemies before the god Yama. I will not let you down."That very night, after the large meeting, Karna sat until late into the night and slipped out of his camp. He walked silently to the middle of the quiet battlefield. In one place, arrows filled a lifeless body. Karna walked in silence towards the fallen great Kuru warrior lying there.Karna knelt under his feet and wept silently. His tears touched Bhisma's feet.The old man woke up and asked, "Who is there shedding tears on my feet? Their warmth stings me sharper than arrows.""It's me, Karna," Karna's voice cracked due to tears. "Truly, I did not mean to wake you. I came here only to pay my long overdue respects. It is my misfortune to not have received your attention and affection. I waited until late at night because I feared you would dislike my presence and
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 37
Bhisma's fall surprised everyone, including Duryodhana."I never expected Arjuna, the revered hero, to use a woman as an archer and shoot Bhisma, who had laid down his arms!" exclaimed Duryodhana. "What kind of hero is that!"Nevertheless, Duryodhana had to accept the outcome. Although Bhisma hadn't died—because he had vowed not to die until he saw the end result of the battle—he could no longer lead the Kaurava army. He immediately called upon Drona to take command of the Kaurava forces.In the battle led by Drona, Karna was once again denied permission to join by Drona."I don't want my victory to be because of him. I don't need him," replied Drona.Karna understood the clear animosity between them, so he agreed and did not participate in the battle.Drona displayed impressive prowess, and the Pandavas could not withstand him. However, Drona still showed affection for his disciples, the Pandavas, and did not unleash his full strength against them.As a result, the battle ended with
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 36
Before the day of the war, Duryodhana asked Bhisma, his grandfather, to lead the entire army. Bhisma looked at Duryodhana and said, "As the protector of the Kuru kingdom, I am willing to accept it."Bhisma accepted the position because it was his duty to protect the Kuru kingdom. The first step taken as the leader was to kick Karna out of the entire army and not allow him to participate in the war.Duryodhana, upon learning of this, immediately asked for an explanation."I find myself in disagreement with that boy. If you insist on using him, then I will not hold the position as the leader of the army," Bhisma replied.Duryodhana reluctantly accepted this, and Karna was not allowed to join the battle at all.On the day of the battle, both armies gathered at Kurukshetra. As far as the eye could see, armed soldiers stood in formation, filling the entire land.The kingdoms that supported the Pandavas were Panchala, Dwaraka, Kasi, Kekaya, Magadha, Matsya, Chedi, Pandya, Telinga, and Yadu f
- KARNA: Son of the Charioteer
Chapter 35
On a night after Krishna's return from the kingdom of Anga and his promise not to reveal Karna's true identity to the Pandavas, Karna dreamt of being visited by a knight who was very gallant and radiant."Karna," the knight smiled, "Do you know? In truth, Lord Indra has interfered greatly in worldly matters for his son, Arjuna.""I did not know," replied Karna."He once disguised himself as a scorpion to sting you while you were with your guru Parashurama, causing you to receive a curse.""...,"The knight looked at Karna's reaction and continued, "He also transformed into a large bee that stung a gentle cow to attack you in a forest. That's how you killed the cow and received a second curse."Karna fell silent, realizing the reason the cow suddenly turned wild and attacked him."Are you angry?" the knight asked. "Lord Indra has done many things to support his son, Arjuna, while your father, Lord Surya, has not helped you at all.""What has happened, let it pass," Karna said. "And you
