Chapter 4 – A Basket of Gold, A Mother's Heart
The first rays of the sun bathed the Ganga River in golden light, gentle ripples glistening like silk. Inside a humble home by the river, Adhiratha and Radha, a loving but childless couple, finished their morning prayers to Surya Deva.
> "O mighty Surya," Adhiratha prayed softly, "bless us with a child to raise. Even if not by birth, give us someone we can love and call our own."
> "Let our home be filled with joy," Radha whispered, eyes closed. "Even one child is enough. Just one."
Up above, beyond mortal sight, Ganga Devi stood upon the water, her long hair flowing like a second river. She had watched this couple pray day after day. Their hearts were sincere. Their prayers had no greed—only love.
> "Yes… they are worthy," Ganga murmured. She raised her hand.
From divine light and water, she created a basket made of gold, lined with silk soft as clouds. She gently placed baby Karna into it, his small body glowing faintly. His Kavach, shining armor granted by divinity, protected his chest with a radiant gleam.
But then, the armor shimmered and began to dissolve into glowing light.
> "This divine armor… I shall let it rest inside him," Ganga said softly. "Only when danger finds him, or when he calls upon it, will it awaken."
The Kavach melted into Karna's skin like sunlight into water. The baby stirred once, but did not cry.
> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Kavach has been retrieved into host's divine body.
– Will only manifest during danger or by conscious will.
– Armor enhancement active.
Ganga looked down at the river.
> "Let destiny carry you to love."
She let the basket go. It drifted gently downstream, carried by the river's own hands.
---
The Couple's Test
Adhiratha had gone to the river to fetch water when he noticed the golden basket.
> "Radha!" he called. "Come quickly!"
She hurried over. Both froze when they saw the shining basket float toward them. Inside was a baby wrapped in glowing silk.
> "A child? In such riches?" Adhiratha whispered.
> "It must be a noble's child… or a gift from the gods," Radha said. "Adhi, look at him… He's glowing."
Adhiratha hesitated.
> "This could mean trouble. If we take him in, others may come looking."
He moved to push the basket back into the river, but Radha stopped him.
> "Wait. Let me hold him once."
She gently lifted the baby from the basket. His warmth filled her arms like firelight on a cold night.
> "He feels… like he belongs with me," she whispered, eyes brimming.
Radha looked at Adhiratha. "Let's clean him. He is ours now."
She removed the baby's silk wrappings and anything he wore, careful not to miss a thing. Then she dipped a cloth in the river and washed him gently from head to toe.
> "No past. No secrets. Only a new life," she murmured.
When she cradled him again, her eyes widened.
> "Adhi… my body… my milk—it's flowing," she said, shocked.
Adhiratha's face lit up.
> "The gods have truly answered us."
Radha held the baby tighter.
> "He is my son now. I don't care who he was. I will love him like no one ever has."
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Maternal Bond Recognized – Radha (Mortal Mother)
Divine Acknowledgement Achieved – The Heavens Bear Witness
Karna's Kavach Retrieved into Divine Body
Curse Triggered – Birth Mother: Bond Severed
System Family Tree Updated
Celestial Father: Surya Deva
Celestial Mothers: Sanjna Devi, Chhaya Devi
Mortal Father: Adhiratha
Mortal Mother: Radha
Birth Mother: Removed
Adoption Status: Goddess Ganga (Godmother)
---
Ganga Appears
Before they could leave, the waters rippled and parted. Ganga Devi rose, her form glowing with divine presence.
Radha quickly knelt, holding the baby close.
> "Do not be afraid," Ganga said. "You have passed a test. You chose love over riches. This child is now yours."
> "Who is he?" Radha asked. "Why was he sent to us?"
> "I cannot tell you names," Ganga said. "But he was abandoned. I saved him. I brought him to you. Raise him with love and strength."
Adhiratha lowered his head.
> "We swear we will. He is our son now."
Ganga looked at the child, her expression softening.
> "Then allow me to be his godmother. I will watch over him when I can."
> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Goddess Ganga recognized as Godmother
System Status Updated
Ganga's face darkened slightly.
> "His mother… threw him into my waters. Then blamed me. She killed her own maid to hide what she did. Her kingdom will pay for such cruelty."
Lightning cracked in the sky.
---
The Flood Begins
That night, the Ganga River overflowed its banks. Waters surged without warning. Homes and fields were drowned. No magic could stop it. Temples were washed away, leaving only broken stones and wet silence.
The people cried out for help—but none came.
And then, as dawn broke, Surya Deva rose in fury.
The heat of the sun became unbearable. Crops wilted. Wells dried. The air turned heavy like fire.
> "Let this kingdom know," Surya Deva said to the heavens, "the price of rejecting my child."
This continued for seven days. The kingdom suffered in silence, not understanding the punishment they had brought upon themselves.
---
Back at the Palace
Kunti had returned to the palace. She locked herself in her room. Day and night, she cried.
> "She must be mourning the death of her maid," the servants whispered.
But they didn't see the secret smile on her face.
> "It's over," she thought. "No one knows. He's gone."
She convinced herself the child was dead. With that belief, she forgot everything.
To her, Karna never existed.
As for the kingdom suffering what does that have to do with her, she never once thought the kingdom's suffering is due to her.