A child who was
found floating on the water grows up to become a king. Karna was the son of Kunti from the Sun
God. Kunti was still very young when she
had occasion to serve Rishi (Sage) Durvasa.
She served him with great dedication.
Sage granted Kunti Mantras
(Chant) and the God she would think of after reciting the Mantra, would appear
before her and bless her with a son endowed with his own godly qualities. Out of
curiosity Kunti chanted Surya (Sun)
mantra. The Ordained happened. Sun God appeared before Kunti in his resplendent
glory. This is the story of the birth of Karna.
Karna’s foster
parents Radha and Athiratha, so called low born people, loved Karna immensely. Society may not be fair but the existence is
fair. Karna was always unhappy because
he could not come to terms with what he was being labelled as, low born. He was referred as suta or low born
everywhere. All the time he nourished
his bitterness. Life doesnot workout
according to our wish. Karna’s
bitterness made a wonderful human being that Karna was, into such a nasty
character in the Mahabharata. At this
juncture Duryodana made Karna the king of Angada Province. Karna was beholden to Duryodana for this and
showed the loyalty to Duryodana till the end.
Karna’s life was
alternately tragedy and sacrifices.
Throughout his life he was known for the quality of sacrifice. He would not say no to anybody who comes to
him for a gift. Ultimately he was destroyed by this quality
of sacrifice. When Krishna told the
truth Karna broke down, yet he stayed with Duryodana for loyalty.
Though there was no hatred in his heart he believed that he was to hate
Pandavas because of loyalty to Duryodana.
Duryodana used Karna as a counterweight to Arjuna. Before the Mahabharata battle Lord Indra, the
god of rain, fearing that his Son Arjuna
would be defeated by Karna, disguised as an old Brahmin pleaded with Karna for
his Kavacha and kundal in donation.
Though Karna was cautioned by Sun God about this Karna could not refuse
Lord Indra. He was such a large hearted
person, he gave his Kavacha and Kundal
to Lord Indra who was in disguise as an old Brahmin. Kavacha and Kundal made Karna Invincible,
yet Karna parted with them.
In the battle of
Kurukshethra, when Karna was face to face with Arjuna, he forgot Bramhastra
Mantra (Chant) because of the curse by his teacher for not disclosing his Kula. To
Karn’s misfortune, wheels of his chariot sunk in the soft earth and he was
immobile. When Karna was trying to put
the wheel right, using this opportunity Arjuna killed him. Karna was the greatest warrior yet he was
killed in the battle using strategies.
Mahabharata
would have been a different story if Karna was not such a …………
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