Adhiratha

 

Foster father of Karna.

 

1) Lineage.

Descended from Visnu thus:

Brahma – Atri – Candra-Pururavas – Ayus – Nahusa – Yayati – Anudruhyu – Sadanara – Kalanara – Srnjaya-Titiksa – Krsadratha – Homa – Sutapas – Bali – Anga – Dadhivahana – Draviratha – Dharmaratha – Citraratha – Satyaratha – Romapada – Caturanga – Prthu – Camba – Haryamga – Bhadraratha – Brhadratha – Brhanmanas – Jayadratha – Dhrtavrta – Satyakarma – Adhiratha – Karna (foster son).

 

2) Foster father of karna.

Sage Durvasas had taught Kunti some mantras to get children, and Kunti, then unmarried, tested the first mantra with the Sun-god as her object. The Sun-god appeared before Kunti and from his power she conceived and duly delivered a child, Karna. Fearing obloquy Kunti concealed the child in a box and floated it on the river, Ganges.

At the time Adhiratha, a great comrade of Dhrtarastra came to the river for a bath. His wife was one grieving over not having a child of her own. So, when Adhiratha found a child in the floating box, he took it home, and himself and his wife Radha brought up the child with pleasure.

The child was named Vasusena, and the child grew up to become the famous Karna and favourite friend of Duryodhana. (M.B. Adi Parva, Chapters 67 and 130; Vana Parva, Chapter 309; Devibhagavata, Skandha 2).

 

3) Some particulars. Adhiratha was King of Anga. He was a Suta (charioteer) and Karna grew up as his son. Karna was sent to Hastinapura to be trained in the use of weapons, and it was here that Duryodhana ‘and Karna developed their friendship and alliance. (M.B. Adi Parva, Chapter 147, Verse 3).

Sri Mahadevibhagavata, in Chapter 3 relates the following incident : “Thus lamenting Kunti sent the box concealing Karna, by the nurse, to be floated in the river, and after bath, food etc. she spent the hours in the normal way within the inner apartment. Raja Adhiratha bathing in the river saw the box floating in the river”.

These facts prove that Adhiratha was not only the King of Anga but a good charioteer as well, and further a very good friend of Dhrtarastra.

 

4) We come across Adhiratha on the occasion of the trial of skill in the use of arms between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. When Karna entered the lists the Pandavas questioned his nobility of birth. Seeing Karna’s great humiliation and discomfiture Duryodhana enthroned him immediately as King of Anga. Vyasa, who witnessed the scene has given a picturesque description of it.

 

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