Karna Adopted by Adiratha, the Charioteer of Bhishma : Episode 16

Pandu’s Coronation and Digvijaya

The coronation hall is filled with chants and coronation rites. After the ceremony, Pandu seeks blessings from the elders and withdraws to his private chambers, quiet and reflective. Queen Kunti is distressed by his impending departure. Pandu explains that undertaking a military conquest is a kshatriya’s dharma. Kunti asks bluntly if he is doing this only for Dhritarashtra’s sake. Pandu admits that his brother is part of his motivation, but insists that the digvijaya is also his own dream—something he embraces willingly.

Pandu then meets Madri to take leave. Madri breaks down, saying she had prayed to the gods for him and now must face separation. She wants to travel with him as Kaikeyi once accompanied Dasharatha. Pandu refuses gently — taking her along is neither safe nor feasible.

He visits Bhishma and Satyavati next. Bhishma appreciates his sacrifice in relinquishing the throne. Satyavati thanks him for resolving a political crisis with dignity and safeguarding Hastinapura’s interests. She blesses his campaign.

After seeking Ambalika’s blessings, Pandu meets Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Shakuni. Shakuni remains tactful yet cunning; Pandu’s expression shows he understands his motives. Gandhari praises his generosity and assures him she will care for Kunti and Madri like her own sisters.

Shakuni confides to an attendant that he initially feared Pandu’s coronation — but Pandu conveniently walked into the very trap he had set. Pandu then departs on his campaign.

Kunti’s Restlessness and the Casket

Kunti performs puja to Goddess Durga. Suddenly, she notices two palace attendants carrying a large casket. The sight strikes her like lightning—she recalls the casket in which she once sent her infant afloat on the river. She asks the men to leave it in her room. Breath trembling, she opens it, only to find sculpted images of deities. Still haunted, Kunti seeks Satyavati’s permission to visit Mathura to see an ailing friend.

At Mathura, she meets her confidante Bhadra. Kunti confesses she saw a casket identical to the one that carried her abandoned child. She begs Bhadra to help her search. If she finds him, she says, she will declare him as her son—whatever society may say.

Bhadra comforts her and tells her that the child is alive and growing in the house of the charioteer Adiratha. Kunti feels anguish at the hardships he may face as a charioteer’s son, but Bhadra assures her the boy is being brought up with care.

Karna’s Early Valor

Karna, now eight years old, helps Adiratha clean the chariot and tend to the horses. Suddenly, a horse-drawn chariot runs wild on the road. Karna leaps from a tree into the chariot and brings it to a halt with skill far beyond his years. While Pandu chooses exile in the forest to avoid conflict with his brother, Karna grows up unaware that his destiny will be in conflict with his own brother.

Oppression in Mathura Under Kamsa

Elsewhere, the tyranny in Mathura worsens under Kamsa, calling for divine intervention.

In a village near Mathura, people go about their daily work when Kamsa’s horsemen ride through mercilessly, trampling a young boy. Villagers wail and beg God to end their suffering.

The Divine Response in Vaikuntha

Mahavishnu lies in yogic repose on Adisesha in Vaikuntha. Hearing the cries of the suffering, Bhoodevi and Sridevi worry whether He is aware of the earth’s plight. Narayana rises before them and reassures them—He is ever alert. The atrocities in Mathura are not over yet, but the time to restore dharma is near.