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The Birth of Karna
109.
face and the Ganga too. She chanted the mantras invoking the gods' blessings. Her birthday seemed to be the occasion for universal rejoicing. For the waves roared their homage to her. The birds brought flowers from somewhere, showered them on her, twittered something and flew away. The sky showed its joy through the stars which just twinkled at her and faded in the emerging splendour of the Sun God. And now it was his turn to pay her his tribute. He appeared first like a golden rim, and then gradually developed into something which reminded her of some familiar face. Whose was it? Kuntibhoja's ? No, he had been a late riser all his his life and when he woke up, long after sunrise, his face was dull and drowsy like twilight. It was inconceivable that Kuntibhaja could ever be associated with the radiance of the Sun. Then whose face was she thinking of at the moment ? Oh, yes, it was Durvas's. And at the thought of him she instinctively repeated, just in jest, the mantra he had taught her. And lo, the Sun had already disappeared into darkness. Presently she saw an inresistible male form rise from the river and approach her. "Who are you?" she demanded. : "You know me, Kunti.” He smiled. "You have always dreamt of me. You keep telling your friends that I am your favourite deity.”
"My Lord! Are you the Sun God ?”
"Yes, the life-giving Sun God. As ordained by the sage Durvasa, you shall bear me a son."
"But I am a kanya. Please leave me alone." She cried bitterly.
"You foolish girl! Why did you chant the mantra without preparing yourself for the consequences? Do you want
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