**SHAHEER SHEIKH** II Dhananjay Arjun II AT#3 - Page 112

Dhristarastra asked Vidura, Dhaumya and Sanjaya to make all arrangements for the cremation of the great warriors killed in the war. It was done promptly. Then all of them, all the woman in simplest of dresses of cotton. Abandoning their silk ornaments, went on the banks of Ganga to offer funeral oblations, Kunti watched the oblations offered for all the dead. Karna had no sons to offer any oblations. They all had been killed. Kunti could not bear this final injustice to her son. She called Yudhisthira and said, "One person has been left. You should offer oblations for him too." Yudhisthira was surprised. He said, "Mother how can I forget anyone who died for me? Who is that person you speak of?"

Kunti said, "Radheya was a Kshatriya. He was the son of Surya. I am his mother. Surya had given me this child when I was a maiden, living in my father's house. Afraid of the consure of the world, I put him in a box and set it afloat on the waves of Ganga. He was found by Atiratha and his wife Radha brought him up. I am the cause of his tragic life." Saying this Kunti fainted. Now the grief of the Pandavas was unbearable. Krishna looked at Kunti and at the Pandavas with infinite compassion.

The Pandavas remembered each and every detail of his noble qualities. The Pandavas asked Kunti did Karna know about it. The answer came from Krishna, "Yes he did". Yudhisthira was very angry with her mother for the great injustice done by her to Karna.

He cursed the entire women race that they would not be able to hide any secret henceforth. Yudhisthira depression lasted for sometime. He was consoled by Sages, Narada and Vyasa. They talked to him about the duties of a king and the welfare of his people always came before any of his personal consideration.

Gradually Yudhisthira became interested in the running of the kingdom. He was not yet formally crowned as the king due to one month's observation of all the funeral rites. He asked Krishna to give him some knowledge about Political science and statecraft. Krishna said that there was no one to equal to Bhishma in that. All the knowledge of the great man will vanish with his death. Go and listen to his advice. Yudhisthira was not much convinced. Krishna said, "You do not have any idea of the greatness of your grandfather. Bhishma was taught political science by Brihaspati. Ganga, the favourite of gods is her mother. Shukra, the guru of the god's and asuras taught him the rules of conduct. Lord Parashurama taught him archery. Vasistha taught the Vedas and Vedangas to him. Markandeya taught him the knowledge of renunciation. You shall be fortunate to learn some of these things from him. There can be no better teacher than him on the entire earth."