Reading: Mahabharata Part C

Karna became the son of a charioteer but he felt as if he was born for something greater. When he learned his origins, he decided to get training from the Guru Drona. However, when he got there, the guru rejected him, not knowing Karna was part god. He was sad when he returned home, but he was able to find another teacher, Parashurama. In order to be taught, Karna told Parashurama he was a brahmin. Karna learned and he became a great soldier in the land. One day, Parashurama laid his head on Karna's lap. A scorpion came and bit Karna's thigh but he took the pain in silence so Parashurama wouldn't be disturbed. When Parashurama woke up and saw that Karna was bleeding, he accused Karna of not being Brahmin, and he laid a curse on Karna.

Back in the kingdom of the Pandavas, a great tournament was taking place. Arjuna impressed everyone with his skills until Karna came and challenged him. Since he wasn't invited, Karna wasn't able to be named the victor. The Pandava brothers challenged him to a fight but he could not fight the brothers unless he proved he was a royal. All he could explain was he was found in the river. King Dhritarashtra made Karna a king.

The fame for the Pandava brothers grew and the oldest was said to become the next king. This made Duryodhana jealous and he plotted to burn the brothers in a castle he built to be extremely flammable.  However, the Pandavas learned of this and prepared. They built a tunnel under the palace to escape Duryodhana's wrath. Bhima set fire to the palace and the brothers escaped with their mother. Everyone back at the kingdom mourned their death, not knowing they were still alive.

When they were in the forest, Bhim was the one that worked the most. He carried his brothers and mother, went out to fetch them water, and watched over them as they slept. They finally settled in a city in the forest, but this city was terrorized by Bakasur. When she heard this, Kunti suggested that Bhim should go challenge the beast. Bhim went to Bakasur's cave and killed the beast. Upon his return, the entire village thanked Bhim and honored the family.

In another part of the land, Drupada knew that Drona was coming to take revenge because Drupada humiliated Drona. Drupada prayed for a son to fight his battle and from sacrificial flames, a strong son came forth. Then, another child came, a beautiful daughter named Draupadi.

Karna's armor 

Bibliography: Epified: Mahabharata Videos