"I am the exclusive bestower of knowledge pertaining to divine weaponry to Kshatriyas and Brahmins. As a sutaputra, it would be considered a sin for you to seek such knowledge," Dronacharya declared with unwavering authority, casting his judgment upon the nine-year-old Karna. Bhishma, the venerable warrior, echoed Dronacharya's sentiment, lending further weight to the rejection.

Karna struggled to hold back the tears that welled up within him. He had entered the grandiose royal palace with boundless hope. The arrival of Dronacharya, the greatest guru in all of Āryāvrata, accompanied by Karna's father, Adhirath, had sparked anticipation within the young boy. He had yearned for Dronacharya and the illustrious Mahamahim to teach him the art of archery, both ordinary and divine. However, his aspirations were shattered in an instant, solely due to his low caste.

With a heavy heart, Karna stole a fleeting glance at the two individuals who had deemed him unworthy. Without uttering a single word, he paid his respects to the great warriors of Āryāvrata, bowing humbly before them. Silently, he made a solemn promise to himself: he would rise above his circumstances and become the greatest warrior the world had ever known.

As Karna returned home, he retreated to his room, seeking solace in the confines of his thoughts. Sitting silently on his bed, he contemplated the myriad paths that could lead him to his desired destination. He yearned to prove to the world that one's caste should never determine their destiny.

An hour passed, and Karna, his resolve unyielding, approached his father. With a glimmer of hope in his eyes, he inquired, "Father, who imparted the knowledge of warfare to the renowned Gangaputra and Dronacharya?"

Adhirath, his expression devoid of emotion, replied, "It was none other than the venerable Lord Parashurama."

Eagerly, Karna exclaimed, "Then I shall seek instruction from Lord Parashurama himself! He will teach me-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Adhirath interjected, "He bestows his knowledge solely upon Brahmins and the progeny of Devas."

Though Karna's spirits dampened, he recalled the tales his mother had woven about Bhagwan Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Narayan, the preserver of the world. "He will not discriminate against me based on my caste," Karna surmised. With newfound hope burning within him, he informed his parents that he would embark on his journey to Mahendragiri the following morning to seek his education.

Adhirath cast a contemplative gaze upon his determined son and asked, "And what will you do if Lord Parashurama, too, rejects you?"

"I shall then seek out Brahmarishi Vishvamitra as my mentor in the art of warfare," Karna declared resolutely before his parents.

Adhirath sighed, bestowing his blessings upon his unwavering child. "May Narayana's blessings be upon you throughout your journey."

The next morning, after bidding farewell to his mother and father, Karna embarked on his new quest. He traversed through untamed forests, treacherous mountains, and meandering rivers for an entire week until he finally reached Mahendragiri, the abode of the mighty Lord Parashurama.

He beheld Parashurama engrossed in sharpening his Parshu, the very axe that had obliterated tyrannical Kshatriya rulers twenty-one times from the face of the earth.

Approaching the revered sage with utmost reverence, Karna bowed respectfully. "Pranipaat Lord. I am Karna, son of sut Adhirath from Hastinapur."

"Welcome, my son. What brings you to my humble abode?" inquired Parashurama, momentarily ceasing his work.

With folded hands, Karna pleaded, "Bhagwan, I yearn to learn the art of archery and wield divine weaponry under your tutelage."

A moment of silence hung in the air before Parashurama responded, "Go and seek instruction from my disciple, Drona."

"Lord, your disciple Dronacharya has already rejected me due to my caste," Karna promptly explained, fearlessly meeting Parashurama's gaze. "Please, I implore you to accept me as your disciple. No one else will acknowledge me due to my status as the son of a sut."

Lord Parashurama immersed himself in contemplation, his piercing eyes searching the depths of Karna's soul. Eventually, he spoke, his voice tinged with authority, "Do you truly possess an unwavering desire to learn the art of warfare, even from me?"

"Yes, Lord, I am resolute in my determination to learn from you!" Karna fervently replied, his hands still clasped in supplication.

"Very well. I shall take you under my wing as my disciple. However, be warned, while I can forgive mistakes, I cannot tolerate disobedience, deceit, or lies. Remember this: I do not forget," Parashurama warned in a stern tone.

"Thank you, Gurudev. I am eternally grateful for your benevolence!" Karna expressed his gratitude, bowing deeply before the revered sage.

"I shall mold you into the greatest warrior Āryāvrata has ever witnessed. This is my promise to you. For the next fifteen years, you shall reside in my humble abode," Lord Parashurama declared, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. Karna, brimming with elation, nodded in fervent agreement. "Excellent. Your unwavering determination is commendable. Tomorrow, your training shall commence."

As Lord Parashurama turned to face the evening sun, Karna stammered, wanting to share something of great importance.

"What troubles you, my child?" Parashurama inquired, his perceptive gaze fixed upon Karna.

Summoning his courage, Karna spoke, his voice quivering slightly, "Gurudev, there is something I have yet to disclose."

"And what is it that you have not told me, my son?" Parashurama inquired with unwavering composure.

"Gurudev, I possess an armor that adheres to my chest like a second skin. It manifests itself whenever I desire, offering me invincible protection. I also wear a pair of earrings that imbue my skin with a radiant glow in the sunlight," Karna explained, allowing his armor to materialize. Gradually, a resplendent golden armor adorned his well-sculpted chest.

"You are no ordinary child. These divine armor and earrings, gleaming with the symbol of Suryanarayan, indicate that you are a celestial child of Suryadeva," Parashurama remarked impassively.

"Gurudev, I am unaware of it. I am an adopted child, found by my parents, Adhirath and Radha, on the banks of the sacred River Ganga. My birth parents left me in a basket soon after I was born," Karna shared with folded hands.

"You are the blessed child of Suryadeva. Let me summon the magnificent Suryadeva," Lord Parashurama declared, proceeding to chant verses dedicated to the solar deity. After a few moments, Suryadeva appeared before Lord Parashurama on his celestial chariot.

Suryadeva bowed to Lord Parashurama, and Karna, too, paid his respects to the sun god.

Filled with a surge of anger, Parashurama interrogated, "Suryadeva, is Karna truly your child?"

Suryadeva nodded solemnly and replied, "Yes, Lord! He is my beloved child."

Overwhelmed, Karna's voice trembled as he asked, tears streaming down his face, "Father, if you are my true parent, where is my real mother?"

Suryadeva nodded empathetically and responded, "My son, I cannot disclose your mother's name, for she bore you through the divine verses bestowed upon her by Maharishi Durvasa. She relinquished you into the sacred waters of the Jahnavi River soon after your birth. I am sorry, my son, but the power of those verses constrains me from revealing further details."

Suryadeva concluded with a prayer, "O Lord! I beseech you to accept my son as your disciple. Grant him the title of the greatest warrior on earth."

"I am honored to undertake Karna's tutelage. He is now my responsibility, Suryadev," Lord Parashurama declared with a smile, to which Suryadeva nodded in approval. With that, Suryadeva departed, leaving Karna and Lord Parashurama in solemn communion.

"Rest, my son. Tomorrow shall mark the beginning of your transformative journey," Lord Parashurama directed his gaze toward the setting sun, as the fate of this young warrior had been forever altered by a single revelation.

Karna nodded, his eyes gleaming with a newfound sense of purpose, as he made his way toward a modest hut-a humble dwelling that would serve as the starting point for his extraordinary destiny.