Radhey was sixteen years old now. He was living with Radha and her husband Atiratha, the charioteer, as their son. Radhey showed no inclination to learn the art of charioteering. He was always interested in weapons and wanted to learn their use. His tendencies were more like a Kshatriya than like a "Suta". He was surprised himself at his own craving. He asked his mother why there was such desire in him, Unnatural for a 'Suta-putra'. Also Radhey told her mother about a dream which was occurring to him frequently. In the dream a woman fit for a queen was always standing over him, calling him as her son and shedding tears.

His mother told him that she too believed that he was son of some God. So splendid he looked. She told him how her husband had found him floating on the waves of Ganga in a basket, wrapped in the finest silk. Since, he might have been son of some god or prince, his desire to learn warfare and the use of weapons might be the result of his exalted birth. You were born with Kavacha and Kundala, which cannot be of earthy origin. Definitely you are a child born in heavens. But we are poor and could not give you everything. Radheya was dumbstruck. He said with tears in his eyes, that he could not have wished for anything more that the love and affection showered upon him by Radha and Atiratha. He told, "I shall always be called Radhey the son of Radha and Atiratha." Radhey left his parents in search of a teacher who could teach him the arts of warfare and skill in use of weapons.

CURSE OF PARASHURAMA

With a burning desire to seek knowledge he wandered every where. He wanted to learn archery. He went to Hastinapura and requested Drona to accept him as a pupil. Drono spurned him, as he was a "Suta-Putra". Radhey (also known as Karna) went away in search of a guru. Finally, he reached the ashram of Bhargava (Parashurama). Being wise by his experience of Drona, he told Parashurama that he was a Brahmin. Please with his humbly and demeanor, Parashurama accepted him as his pupil. Education and training of Karna (Radhey) began. He spent many years in his ashram and becme an archer of unparalleled capability. The entire divine 'astras' were taught to him by Parashurama who had become extremely happy with him. Even Parashurama, who was the ultimate weapon, capable of destroying the universe. Karna was an ideal pupil. Parashurama was very pleased with him.

When his learning had almost completed. Once tired after a day's hard work, Parashurama wanted to rest under a tree. Karna put his head on his thigh. His guru slept after a while. While thus placed, Karna felt sharp stings of an insect under his thigh. Not willing to disturb, the sleep of his guru, he bore the pain. But insect was a particularly vicious one, with a head like a miniature snout of a pig. It bored through the thigh of Karna and came to the other side. Warm blood, flowing from the wound, caused his guru to wake up. When Parashurama came to know his pupil determination. He became very angry and said, "No Brahmin can bear so much pain, So stoically. Who are you?" After Karna confessed to his being a 'Suta-Putra. Bhargavas temper knew no bounds. He cursed Karna, that whenever he would need his skills most desperately, all skills would fail. To Karnas pleas and entreaties, Parashurama, recalling his good qualities, got some what mollified. He said, "whatever I said, cannot be undone. However, as you want fame, You shall have it in abundant measures. You shall be known as the greatest archer on the earth and your generosity will become a by-lord. You shall have eternal fame."