Narada said That foremost of Bhrigu's race Rama was well pleased with the power of Karna's arms, his love (for him), his self-restraint, and the services he rendered to his preceptor.

Ever practising ascetic penances, Rama cheerfully communicated, with due forms, to his disciple who practised penances everything about the Brahma weapon with the Mantras for withdrawing it.

Having acquired a knowledge of that weapon, Karna began to live happily in Bhrigu's retreat, and highly powerful as he was, he devoted himself with great energy to the science of arms.

One day the highly intelligent Rama, while walking with Karna in the vicinity of his retreat, felt himsclf very weak for the fasts he had undergone.

From affection created by confidence, the tired son of Jamadagni, placing his head on Karna's lap, slept soundly.

While his preceptor was thus sleeping (with head] on his lap, a dreadful worm, whose bite was very painful and which lived on phlegm and fat and flesh and blood, appeared before Karna.

Getting at Karna's thigh, that blooddrinking worm began to pierce it. Lest his preceptor might get up, Karna could neither throw away nor kill that animal.

Though his limb was cut through by that worm, O Bharata, the son of Surya, lest his preceptor should awake, allowed it to do its pleasure.

Though the pain was unbearable, Karna endured it with heroic patience, and continued to hold Bhrigu's son on his lap, without trembling in the least and without displaying any sign of pain.

When at last Karna's blood touched the body of the highly energetic Rama, the latter awoke and said these words in fear,-Alas, I have been polluted. What are you doing. Tell me, without any fear, what is the truth of this matter.

Then Karna informed him of that worm's bite. Rama saw that worm which was like a hog in shape.

It had eight feet and very sharp teeth, and was covered with bristles pointed like needles. Its name was 'Alarka, its limbs were then shrunk [with fear].

As soon as Rama looked at it, the worm died melting in that blood which it had drawn. All this appeared wonderful.

A Rakshasa of terrible form, dark in hue, of a red neck, capable of assuming forms at will, and staying on the clouds was seen in the sky.

His object fulfilled, the Rakshasa, with joined palms addressed Rama, saying, O best of ascetics, you have saved me from this hell! Blessed by you, I worship you have donc me good.

The highly energetic and the mighty armed son of Jamadagni said to him,-Who are you? And why did you fall into hell? Tell me all this.

He answered,-Formerly I was a great Asura by the name of Dansha. In the Krita cycle, O sire, I was of the same age with Bhrigu.

I ravished the dearly-loved wife that sage. Cursed by him I fell down on the Earth in the form of a worm.

In anger your ancestor said to me, living on urine and phlegm, O wretch, you will live in hell.

I then begged him, saying-When, O Brahmana, will this curse end?-Bhrigu replied, saying-This curse shall end through Rama of my family.

It was for this I had led a life like one of uncleaned soul! O righteous one, by you, however, I have been rescued from that sinful life.

Having said so, the great Asura, bowing to Rama, went away. Then Rama wrathfully addressed Karna, saying.

O fool, no Brahmana could bear such a pain! Your patience is like that of a Kshatriya! Tell me the truth, without fear.

Thus asked, Karna, fearing to be cursed, and trying to please him, said, O you of Bhrigu's race know me for a Suta, a race originating from the intermixture of Brahmanas with Kshatriyas.

People call me Karna the son of Radha! O you of Bhrigu's race, be propitiated with my poor self who have thus behaved for mastering the weapons.

Forsooth, a reverend preceptor in the Vedas and other branches of learning is one's father! It was for this that I introduced myself to you as a person of your family.

Unto the cheerless and trembling Karna, that foremost one of Bhrigu's race, smiling though angry, said to the cheerless and trembling Karna who was lying on Earth with joined hands, since you have from avarice of weapons, behaved here falsely, therefore, O wretch, this Brahma weapon shall not remain in your remembrance.

Since you are not a Brahmana, this Brahma weapon shall not, up to the time of your death, live in you when you will be engaged with a warrior equal to yourself.

Go hence, this is not the place for a person who behaves falsely. On Earth, no Kshatriya will be your equal in battle.

Thus addressed by Rama, Karna came away, having duly taken his permission. Arriving then before Duryodhana, he informed him, saying-I have learnt all weapons.

Thus addressed by Rama, Karna came away, having duly taken his permission. Arriving then before Duryodhana, he informed him, saying-I have learnt all weapons.