Narada continued the history of this son of Kunti, Karna, as asked by Yudhisthira.
Narada continued, Parashurama was very pleased with the prowess of Karna, as well as his affection, sense control and the services he rendered toward toward him. Parashurama happily gave to Karna the mantras for releasing and withdrawing the Brahma weapon. Having acquired knowledge of this weapon, he continued to reside happily in the ashrama of Parashurama.
One day while roaming the forests with Karna, Parashurama became fatigued due to his continued fasts. He lay down on his disciple's lap and fell fast asleep. While he was sleeping, a worm that lived on flesh and blood began to eat away at Karna's leg. Karna was unable to throw away or kill the worm. The worm gradually bored through Karna's leg, and Karna, not wanting to disturb his preceptor, tolerated the pain. When blood touched Parashurama's face, the great sage awoke and saw the blood.
Parashurama inquired, 'How have I been made impure? Cast off all fear and tell me what has happened.' Karna then informed him that a worm had bitten his leg.
Parashurama then saw that worm which resembled a small boar. It had eight legs and very sharp teeth. It was covered with bristles that were like needles. As soon as the rishi cast his glance upon the worm, it gave up its life force. A Rakshasa then suddenly appeared in the heavens. He addressed the rishi in the following words, 'O best of the ascetics, you have kindly rescued me from this hellish condition. Formerly, I was a great asura of the name Dansa. During the Satya Yuga, I took away the wife of the great sage Bhrigu. He cursed me saying, 'You shall become a worm and live on flesh and blood.' I then humbly requested him that there be an end to the curse. He replied, 'This curse shall end when you are killed by the great sage Parashurama.' O righteous one, by your grace I have been released from this hellish existence. I now take leave of you.' Having revealed his past, the Rakshasa went his own way.
Narada Muni continued, Parashurama angrily addressed Karna, 'O fool, no brahmana could endure such pain. Your patience is like that of a warrior. You must tell me truthfully what caste you were born in.'
Fearfully Karna replied, 'O descendent of Bhrigu, I am the son of a carpenter and a charioteer. My mother's name is Radha. Do not be displeased with me. It was for obtaining the science of arms that I presented myself in the way that I did. You are my preceptor and are like a father. Please do not take seriously the faults of your son.' Karna then prostrated himself before his martial guru and asked that he be merciful.
Parashurama was enraged that this person had lied to him. He cursed Karna in the following words, 'Since you have lied to me and approached me under false pretenses, I say that you will not be able to remember the hymns of the brahmastra weapon when you are fighting with your foremost enemy. You must now leave my ashrama for this is no place for such false behavior.'
Although cursed in this way, Parashurama blessed Karna as he was leaving, 'On earth there shall be no kshatriya who will be your equal in battle.'
Narada continued, Parashurama was very pleased with the prowess of Karna, as well as his affection, sense control and the services he rendered toward toward him. Parashurama happily gave to Karna the mantras for releasing and withdrawing the Brahma weapon. Having acquired knowledge of this weapon, he continued to reside happily in the ashrama of Parashurama.
One day while roaming the forests with Karna, Parashurama became fatigued due to his continued fasts. He lay down on his disciple's lap and fell fast asleep. While he was sleeping, a worm that lived on flesh and blood began to eat away at Karna's leg. Karna was unable to throw away or kill the worm. The worm gradually bored through Karna's leg, and Karna, not wanting to disturb his preceptor, tolerated the pain. When blood touched Parashurama's face, the great sage awoke and saw the blood.
Parashurama inquired, 'How have I been made impure? Cast off all fear and tell me what has happened.' Karna then informed him that a worm had bitten his leg.
Parashurama then saw that worm which resembled a small boar. It had eight legs and very sharp teeth. It was covered with bristles that were like needles. As soon as the rishi cast his glance upon the worm, it gave up its life force. A Rakshasa then suddenly appeared in the heavens. He addressed the rishi in the following words, 'O best of the ascetics, you have kindly rescued me from this hellish condition. Formerly, I was a great asura of the name Dansa. During the Satya Yuga, I took away the wife of the great sage Bhrigu. He cursed me saying, 'You shall become a worm and live on flesh and blood.' I then humbly requested him that there be an end to the curse. He replied, 'This curse shall end when you are killed by the great sage Parashurama.' O righteous one, by your grace I have been released from this hellish existence. I now take leave of you.' Having revealed his past, the Rakshasa went his own way.
Narada Muni continued, Parashurama angrily addressed Karna, 'O fool, no brahmana could endure such pain. Your patience is like that of a warrior. You must tell me truthfully what caste you were born in.'
Fearfully Karna replied, 'O descendent of Bhrigu, I am the son of a carpenter and a charioteer. My mother's name is Radha. Do not be displeased with me. It was for obtaining the science of arms that I presented myself in the way that I did. You are my preceptor and are like a father. Please do not take seriously the faults of your son.' Karna then prostrated himself before his martial guru and asked that he be merciful.
Parashurama was enraged that this person had lied to him. He cursed Karna in the following words, 'Since you have lied to me and approached me under false pretenses, I say that you will not be able to remember the hymns of the brahmastra weapon when you are fighting with your foremost enemy. You must now leave my ashrama for this is no place for such false behavior.'
Although cursed in this way, Parashurama blessed Karna as he was leaving, 'On earth there shall be no kshatriya who will be your equal in battle.'