LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 6: New Family
Far downstream, the basket that carried the infant floated gently along the river's current. Its path seemed divinely guided, bypassing rocks and turbulent waters, until it reached a quiet bank near the humble home of Adhiratha, the charioteer of Hastinapura.
That morning, Adhiratha and his wife, Radha, were performing their daily rituals under the serene sky, their prayers filled with gratitude and a quiet longing for a child to complete their family.
Adhiratha, while gazing at the flowing waters, noticed a strange sight—a small basket bobbing near the riverbank. "Radha, look at that!" he exclaimed, pointing toward the river. "Something unusual is floating this way." Curious and concerned, he rushed to the water's edge.
With gentle care, Adhiratha waded into the river and retrieved the basket. As he lifted its lid, he was struck by an otherworldly sight. Inside lay a radiant infant, his golden skin glowing like the morning sun. The child bore celestial armor fused to his chest and dazzling earrings that shone like molten gold.
"Radha!" Adhiratha called, his voice filled with awe. "Come quickly! There is a child inside, and he looks no ordinary child—he must be a gift from the gods! For us"
Radha ran to her husband, and as her eyes fell upon the baby, tears of joy streamed down her face. Her heart, which had yearned for the joys of motherhood, filled with an overwhelming sense of completeness.
The child's divine glow and innocent gaze melted away any doubts, and she instinctively cradled him in her arms.
At that very moment, something miraculous occurred. Radha, who had never given birth to a child, felt the stirrings of motherhood within her. Her body, as if in divine response to the infant's presence, began to produce milk. With trembling hands and a heart brimming with emotion, she fed the baby, her tears falling onto his tiny face.
That evening, as Adhiratha returned home, he found Radha sitting beside the cradle, her eyes fixed on the infant with an expression of awe and wonder. Seeing her husband enter, Radha called out softly, "Arya, come here. Look at him… this child is no ordinary baby."
Adhiratha approached the cradle and gazed at the infant. The golden glow of the child's skin seemed to radiate a divine light, and his earrings sparkled like miniature suns. Adhiratha's breath caught as he whispered, "Radha, his beauty… it's beyond words. He looks just like a small sun descended to earth. How can anyone be so perfect?"
Radha nodded, her eyes glistening with joy. "And his laugh, Arya… oh, his laugh! It's like the sweetest melody. When he smiles, it's as if the entire world lights up. He's brought life into this home, into my heart, in ways I never imagined."
Adhiratha crouched beside her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Radha, this child… he is a blessing. Look at those earrings and the golden glow of his skin. Do you think he could be of divine origin?"
Radha placed a hand over her heart. "I feel it, Arya. I don't know where he came from or why, but it feels like the gods themselves have sent him to us. It's as if he was meant to be ours, to fill the void we've carried all these years."
Adhiratha smiled warmly and placed his other hand on the baby's tiny head. "Then we shall raise him as our own, Radha. We shall give him all the love, care, and protection he deserves. From this day forth, he is our son."
Radha's tears flowed freely as she whispered, "Yes, our son… our little Vasusen." her voice choked with love, "he is not just a blessing to us but to the world. Look at him, Arya (Husband)—he is destined for greatness."
The couple decided to raise the infant as their own son, their hearts filled with gratitude to the gods for this divine gift. They named him Vasusena, meaning "one born with wealth," a fitting name for a child who came into the world adorned with golden armor and earrings.
Adhiratha and Radha's modest home was filled with newfound joy. Vasusena grew up under their care, basking in the warmth of their love and devotion. Though they lived a simple life, the boy's divine presence seemed to brighten their days. His laughter resonated like music, and his radiant appearance often drew the admiration of neighbors.
In the first year, Vasusena brought delight to his parents with his innocent giggles and bright, curious eyes. One day, as Radha was busy grinding grains, Adhiratha noticed the baby trying to lift himself onto his knees. With a surprised laugh, he called out to Radha, "Look, Radha! He's trying to crawl!" They both sat on the floor, encouraging him with gentle words, and the little boy responded by taking his first wobbly movements forward. Tears filled Radha's eyes as she clapped in joy.
Months passed, now moving faster than they could keep up. His infectious laughter filled the house as he crawled from one corner to another, chasing after his father's wooden toys or Radha's flowing sari. "He's growing too quickly, Arya!" Radha exclaimed, her heart swelling with pride and love.
By the time Vasusena turned two, Radha and Adhiratha began teaching him small words. "Say 'ma' for me," Radha cooed softly, holding his tiny hands. Adhiratha added playfully, "And 'pa' for me! Come on, little one, you can do it." For weeks, they patiently repeated these words, waiting eagerly for their son's first attempt.
Then one day, as Radha sat beside him feeding him milk, he looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes and said, "Ma." Radha froze, her heart skipping a beat, before bursting into tears of happiness. "He said it, Arya! He called me 'Ma'!" she cried out joyously. Adhiratha smiled, his own eyes moist with emotion, and gently ruffled Vasusena's hair.
In the months that followed, Vasusena's bond with his parents deepened. Adhiratha would often play games with him to ensure he ate his meals. "Look, Vasusena! Here comes the elephant!" Adhiratha would say, lifting the boy onto his shoulder and pretending to stomp like an elephant. Vasusena's laughter filled the air as he gleefully clung to his father's head. "You're my little prince, aren't you?" Adhiratha would say as he coaxed the boy to take another bite of food.
By the age of three, another milestone arrived. Radha and Adhiratha noticed their son attempting to stand on his own, his tiny legs wobbling but determined. With their encouragement, he took his first steps, stumbling into Radha's arms. "You did it, my boy! You're walking!" she exclaimed, holding him close. From that day, their home was filled with the pitter-patter of his little feet as he explored every corner with uncontainable curiosity.
As Vasusena grew, his divine traits became more apparent. His extraordinary strength, intelligence, and noble demeanor shone even in these early years. His golden armor and earrings, inseparable from his body, were a constant reminder of his divine origin. Yet, his humility and simplicity made him beloved by all. His laughter, his first words, his playful moments with his parents—all these memories were treasures Radha and Adhiratha held close to their hearts as they raised their extraordinary son with love and devotion.
One day, as Vasusena was playing near the river with other children, a passerby noticed his radiant form and inquired about him. Upon hearing about the child's mysterious arrival, the man remarked, "This boy's armor and earrings make him unique. Truly, he is a 'Karna'—one who is adorned with divine treasures."
The name "Karna" began to spread, and soon, everyone referred to him by this title. Though Adhiratha and Radha continued to call him Vasusena at home, the world came to know him as Karna. The name symbolized his celestial gifts and hinted at the extraordinary destiny that awaited him.
For Adhiratha and Radha, Karna was the center of their universe. They nurtured him with unconditional love, ensuring that he never felt the absence of royal comforts despite their modest means. Radha, in particular, shared a deep emotional bond with her son. Every time she looked into his eyes, she felt a profound gratitude to the gods for making her a mother.
Adhiratha, too, took pride in raising Karna. Though he sensed that the boy was destined for a life far greater than that of a charioteer's son, he never let this thought diminish his role as a father. "Vasu," he would often say, "greatness lies not in birth but in deeds. Let your actions define your destiny, for the gods have clearly marked you for something extraordinary."
Karna, in turn, adored his parents and grew up with a strong sense of loyalty and gratitude. He never questioned his origins, nor did he let the whispers of his divine appearance make him arrogant. Instead, he worked tirelessly to learn and grow, determined to honor the love and sacrifices of his parents.