Chapter 7

"Where is my Gurudakshina?"

"Guruacharya, What can I give you? I am the poor son of a charioteer, an abhagi son who could not see his birth mother's smile on birth, who has to leave his his guru and guruma who are akin to his father and grandmother. Tell me Bhagwan, what can I give you?"

"Give me your word. Give me your word that you shall never use what you have learned to be like those Kshatryas who think they are above Dharma. Promise me, that you will never forget your Dharma. Promise me that you shall never give up your divine kavach (armor) and kundal (earrings), for I know that not even Astrashresht (Greatest among Astras), Sudarshan Chakra can harm you."

"I promise Gurudev. I swear by all the knowledge I have and will learn and all my punya."

"Very well. Now, will you not comw hug this Guru of yours."

Seeing two grown mem cry, Mata Renuka was filled with pride. The little child who had come to her, wanting to learn, had grown up so much. Suddenly two other figures overlapped Karna and Parashuram. There they were, her little son, when he was still young and ignorant, hugging his father, Rishi Jamadagni.

"Child, will you not give me my promise?"

"Ofcourse guruma, ask whatever you want. If possible, I will bring to your feet the entire universe."

"No, I have no use of the Universe. I want you to visit me at least once a month, or whenever possible. I want you to come to me first whenever anything special happens. Can you promise me thta?"

"I promise mata."

"Very well, here you go. This Veena belonged to my mother, who was presented this by Mata Parvati."

"Thank you mata, I shall forever treasure this."

Not to be outdone, Parashuram hastily said,

"And here is my gift to you. This is the great bow, Vijaya. As long as you wield this bow, defeat shall be foreign to you."

"Thank you guruacharya."

That evening, completing his goodbyes, not only to his guruacharya and gurumata, but also to the thousands of Gandharvas, Yakshas and Vanars staying on the Mahendragiri hills. When he finally descended the hill, his body had three marks of all the soul bound weapons he recieved. He was adorned in expensive jewellery, and clothes spun from the light of a dying star. His weapons thus stood so far:

1)Vijaya: given to him by his guruacharya. The mark was that of a bow with a drawn string at the centre of his chest.

2)Vel: given to him by a gandharva. Its a spear and is the strongest, supposedly able to pierce all in existence. Its mark is a spear on his right forearm.

3)rudraveena: the ancient veena given to Mata Parvati by mahadev after its creation. It can influence the surroundings of the player with the help of a raag (tune).