14 Preparations
‘What are they for? Why do I have to keep wearing them?’
As the years went by Karna would every so often raise the question of his ear-rings and mail with Charvaka.
‘When you’re older, my boy,’ was the rishi’s usual reply.
But then on one of his visits to Varanasi, soon after his nineteenth birthday, Karna met with a different reaction. This time Charvaka’s first response was to send Vrisha out of the workshop.
‘The mail...’ began the rishi, ‘the mail is not so important. Not now. If I were you I would still wear it, at least until you go to Parashu. How many more of the links have you got left to put on?’
‘Not many. It’s slowed down now. Perhaps in a couple of years I’ll be wearing them all.’
‘When was the last time you took it off?’
‘Years ago, sire. I don’t need
