O great King, Narada said, I will tell you the history of this son of Kunti as you have asked.
After he was raised by Radha and Athiratha, he came to Hastinapura to learn the science of arms. When he saw the strength of Bhimasena, the quickness of Arjuna, the intelligence of yourself, and the humility of the twins, he burned with envy. He could not tolerate the friendship between Krishna and Arjuna, nor the affection the people in general had for you. He then made friends with Duryodhana, led by his nature and his hate towards all of you.
Upon seeing Arjuna's superiority in weaponry, he one day approached the great Drona and requested him, 'Please teach me the mantras for releasing and withdrawing the Brahmastra weapon. The affection you feel towards your disciples is the same as you feel towards your own son. Therefore, please bestow your blessings upon me so that I may become a master of arms.'
Knowing the wickedness of Karna and feeling partiality towards Arjuna, Drona replied, 'Only a brahmana who has observed vows or a kshatriya who has practiced austere penances, should be acquainted with this weapon.'
After being rejected by Drona, Karna traveled to mount Mahendra where the great sage Parashurama lived. He bowed before the great rishi and with folded hands, he pleaded, 'I am a brahmana descending in the line of Bhrigu. Please instruct me in the science of arms.'
Hearing that the youth was a brahmana, Parashurama replied, 'Indeed, you are welcome here.'
Karna then took up his abode in the great sage's hermitage and became his disciple. While residing on Mount Mahendra, he met many Gandharvas, Yakshas and Rakshasas. He made friends with them, and they instructed him in how to use many weapons. He became a great favorite of the demigods.
One day as he was roaming the area around the hermitage, he happen to kill a cow by accident. When he informed the brahmana who owned the cow, the brahmana became enraged and cursed Karna saying, 'O wretched person, you shall bear the fruit of this sinful act. While fighting with you worst enemy, the earth shall devour your chariot wheel. In that state of confusion, your enemy will cut off your head. Just as you have killed my cow when she was inattentive, so your enemy will kill you in the same way!'
Karna tried to pacify the brahmana, but the brahmana would not withdraw the curse. Thus Karna returned to his preceptor greatly unhappy.
After he was raised by Radha and Athiratha, he came to Hastinapura to learn the science of arms. When he saw the strength of Bhimasena, the quickness of Arjuna, the intelligence of yourself, and the humility of the twins, he burned with envy. He could not tolerate the friendship between Krishna and Arjuna, nor the affection the people in general had for you. He then made friends with Duryodhana, led by his nature and his hate towards all of you.
Upon seeing Arjuna's superiority in weaponry, he one day approached the great Drona and requested him, 'Please teach me the mantras for releasing and withdrawing the Brahmastra weapon. The affection you feel towards your disciples is the same as you feel towards your own son. Therefore, please bestow your blessings upon me so that I may become a master of arms.'
Knowing the wickedness of Karna and feeling partiality towards Arjuna, Drona replied, 'Only a brahmana who has observed vows or a kshatriya who has practiced austere penances, should be acquainted with this weapon.'
After being rejected by Drona, Karna traveled to mount Mahendra where the great sage Parashurama lived. He bowed before the great rishi and with folded hands, he pleaded, 'I am a brahmana descending in the line of Bhrigu. Please instruct me in the science of arms.'
Hearing that the youth was a brahmana, Parashurama replied, 'Indeed, you are welcome here.'
Karna then took up his abode in the great sage's hermitage and became his disciple. While residing on Mount Mahendra, he met many Gandharvas, Yakshas and Rakshasas. He made friends with them, and they instructed him in how to use many weapons. He became a great favorite of the demigods.
One day as he was roaming the area around the hermitage, he happen to kill a cow by accident. When he informed the brahmana who owned the cow, the brahmana became enraged and cursed Karna saying, 'O wretched person, you shall bear the fruit of this sinful act. While fighting with you worst enemy, the earth shall devour your chariot wheel. In that state of confusion, your enemy will cut off your head. Just as you have killed my cow when she was inattentive, so your enemy will kill you in the same way!'
Karna tried to pacify the brahmana, but the brahmana would not withdraw the curse. Thus Karna returned to his preceptor greatly unhappy.