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I am the Soul
699
Karna's training was on the verge of getting over. He was to soon take leave of the Gurudev. The Guru was not happy that such a disciple was to go away. Yet he was there only to learn the arts and was bound to leave.
There was a time when Parashuram was residing in his hut amidst lush green surroundings on the hill. The atmosphere was beautiful and pleasant. It was an afternoon and the sun was shining bright. Parashuram's old body desired a rest and he says to Karna, “Son! Come let us rest a while under the shadow of that great tree! You may sit down and I shall use your lap as a pillow."
Brothers! Think! What and how much does the Gurudev feel for the disciple? How satisfied he was with the disciple! How tortunate the disciple must have been, for the Guru had felt like sleeping in his lap! A disciple does sleep with his head on the Guru's lap, but when the disciple gets the honour of receiving the Guru on his lap, it is impossible to measure the extent of affection that fills the Guru's heart towards him.
Karna is seated, and Parashuram is sleeping with his head in Karna's lap. In a moment Parashuram slipped into a deep sleep. Karna was watchful that no mosquito or insect would bother the open torso of the Gurudev. He was also thinking about his own life. He felt overwhelmed by the benevolence of the Gurudev. Oh! What a great effort this old body is taking for me! How affectionately, how lovingly the Gurudev has been teaching me the arts! How can I repay the benevolence of such a Gurudev? These and many such thoughts were bringing tears to Karna's eyes. The heart was filled with gratitude towards the Guru.
Just then a poisonous insect arrived. Karna was unmindful, being fully immersed in the thoughts about the Gurudev. He was wearing just a loincloth. The insect stung him on the inside of the thigh. It was a severe sting. It was painful no doubt, but
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