Chapter 5: Blessings and Burdens
Adhiratha and Radha arrived at the grand gates of the Kuru palace, their hands holding tightly to the precious bundle wrapped in soft cloth—Karna. The guards initially blocked their way, confused by the sudden appearance of the charioteer and his wife asking for an audience. But something in Adhiratha's eyes, and the sacred aura surrounding the child, moved them.
They were led through the halls, under the golden arches and past servants whispering curiously. Inside the royal court, King Dhritarashtra sat calmly. Though his eyes had never seen the light of day, his other senses were sharper than most. Beside him stood his queen, Gandhari, her eyes covered with a cloth as always—a vow she took to share her husband's blindness.
Adhiratha bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, we bring someone special. This child… he is ours, found near the Ganga river. But something about him felt divine. We came here to seek your blessings and guidance."
The murmurs in the court grew louder. "A child? Found in the river?" one minister questioned.
Radha gently held Karna forward. "He is our son now. We claim him not for fortune, but because the gods brought him to us."
Queen Gandhari stepped forward. She rarely involved herself in court matters, but something tugged at her soul. She took Karna into her arms.
As soon as she touched him, something strange happened. Her body shivered. An unknown warmth flowed into her chest, and Karna opened his eyes, calm and silent. Gandhari felt something... powerful. Protective.
Karna's tiny hand reached up and brushed against the cloth that covered her eyes. Without truly knowing, the cloth slipped from her face. Her eyes blinked against the faint light that filtered through the palace windows.
The court gasped.
"Queen Gandhari's eyes!"
"He removed the cloth!"
"Punish the child!"
Many stood, voices rising. "He has disrespected the queen!" one shouted. "This is not acceptable!"
But the king raised his hand, silencing the court. His voice was calm but firm.
"This child… he may have removed the cloth, but perhaps he was guided by fate. You all cry for punishment?" He paused and then declared, "Then let it be so. When he comes of age—around twenty-five—he shall be crowned King of Anga."
The court froze.
"A punishment?" one of the ministers cried.
"Yes," Dhritarashtra said. "A kingdom carries more weight than gold. Let this child feel that burden. If any of you still question me—then your punishment shall be pain."
He raised his voice.
"For every minister who asked for the child to be punished—one eye shall be filled with molten gold."
Gasps echoed through the court. No one dared to argue further. Some averted their gaze. Others wept quietly.
Gandhari still held the child. Her eyes were open now—beautiful and strong. Karna stared at her silently, the bond between them forming in quiet grace. Unknown to the queen, a blessing flowed from her into him—a blessing of Diamond Body, her unspoken wish that no harm would ever reach him.
After the court adjourned, King Dhritarashtra requested Adhiratha to come with him privately. Radha and Gandhari followed.
Inside the king's chamber, the air was gentler.
"I heard what happened," Dhritarashtra said softly to his wife. "You opened your eyes."
Gandhari looked down. "I felt something… with that child. It was as if the gods wanted me to see him."
"I have never wished for you to blind yourself, Gandhari," Dhritarashtra admitted. "I wanted you to be my eyes in this world. But I never had the heart to ask you to remove the cloth."
She took his hand, her voice tender. "Then let me be your eyes now."
Radha sat nearby, still holding Karna. She looked up and spoke shyly. "We never imagined he would be such a child… we only did what any parent would do."
"You have done well," the king said, placing a hand on Adhiratha's shoulder. "He will grow strong under your care."
At that moment, the System activated once more in Karna's soul:
> System Update
Bond with Queen Gandhari established: Blessed with Diamond Body
Family Tree Updated:
Mortal Father: Adhiratha
Mortal Mother: Radha
Celestial Father: Surya (Hidden)
Celestial Mothers: Sanjna, Chhaya
God Mother: Ganga Devi
Note: Birth bond with biological mother (Kunti) permanently severed.
Far away, unnoticed by most, a flood raged quietly. The Ganga river overflowed in the middle of the night, breaking its peaceful flow. Entire parts of Kunti's kingdom were destroyed. Villages were flooded, temples cracked, fields swallowed.
And then the sun blazed with unusual fury. For a whole week, it burned with scorching heat—drying the land, searing crops, punishing in silence.
Back in the Kuru palace, no one knew the true cause.
But when Kunti returned after abandoning Karna, she cried endlessly for seven nights. The court thought her sorrow was for her lost maid.
No one saw the faint smile that touched her lips when no one was looking.
She had convinced herself Karna was dead. Forgotten. Erased.
But fate does not forget.
And the gods were watching.