Karna- A tale of fate, loyalty and generosity

Karna is one of the most complex and compelling characters in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Extraordinary talents, profound challenges, and unwavering loyalty mark his life story, making him a tragic hero whose tale evokes deep empathy.

Birth and Early Life

Mystery and divine intervention surround Karna’s birth. He was born to Kunti, the maiden princess of the Kuru dynasty, before her marriage. The princess Kunti attended to the sage Durvasa for a full year, while he was a guest at her father’s palace. The sage, pleased with Kunti’s service, granted her a boon. This boon allowed her to call upon any god of her choice and bear a child in his image. Unsure of whether the boon would  be effective, Kunti, while still unmarried, tested the boon by calling upon Surya, the sun god. Bound by the power of the mantra, Surya granted her a son as radiant and strong as his father, although she did not want a child (wishing only to test the power). Through his divine power, Kunti retained her virginity. Thus, Karna was born. Surya gifted Karna with an armour (‘Kavacha’) and a pair of earrings (‘Kundala’) which dipped in Amrit, which were attached to him from birth. However, Kunti, fearing societal repercussions, placed the infant in a basket and set him adrift on the river Ganges.

Adoption and Upbringing

Adhiratha, a charioteer of the Hastinapura royal family, and his wife, Radha discovered the basket. They raised Karna as their own son, naming him Vasusena. Growing up in a low caste, Karna faced social discrimination, but his adoptive parents instilled in him the virtues of hard work, humility, and generosity. Despite his humble upbringing, Karna’s noble demeanour and exceptional skills set him apart.

Education and Quest for Knowledge

Karna harboured a deep desire to become a warrior, but the prestigious gurukuls (schools) refused him entry because of his perceived low birth. Karna’s yearning for knowledge and martial skills led him to seek training from the renowned preceptor Dronacharya. Despite being initially denied due to his low birth, Karna’s determination and perseverance eventually swayed Dronacharya. Under Dronacharya’s tutelage, Karna excelled in archery and military strategy, becoming one of his most skilled pupils. Karna was known for his exceptional aim, powerful shots, and unwavering loyalty. Karna’s rivalry with Arjuna, another of Dronacharya’s prominent students, would later become a defining aspect of his life. Guru Drona, who had already given the “Brahmastra” to his son Ashwatthama and his favorite student Arjuna, denied Karna this powerful weapon.

Curse of Parashurama

As Dronacharya refused to impart the knowledge of Brahmastra, Karna approached Lord Parashurama for higher studies. Since Parashurama has taken a vow to train only Brahmanas, Karna presented himself as a Brahmin and became Parashurama’s disciple, concealing his true identity.

Under his tutelage, Karna mastered the arts of warfare, surpassing many of his peers. As Karna’s training came to completion, Parashurama learnt the truth about Karna’s origin. One afternoon, he requested Karna to bring a pillow for him to sleep outside in the shade. Karna instead offered him his lap as a pillow. While Parashurama was asleep, an insect came by and, alighting on Karna’s thigh, bit him. Despite the pain, Karna did not move as it would disturb his Guru. The insect bit deep into Karna’s leg, causing blood to flow out, the warmth and feel of which woke up Parashurama. He deduced at once that Karna was a kshatriya, as only a warrior could withstand such pain without flinching. He cursed Karna, stating that when he required an Astra (divine weapon) the most, he would be unable to recall its incantation. Radheya pleaded with him and told him he was not a Kshatriya (even though he was, he did not know it yet) and this would have been the act of any student towards his guru. After hearing his plea Parashurama said his curse was irrevocable, he would gift him the Vijaya, Parashurama’s personal bow, and that in the end, Karna would achieve what he wanted the most, everlasting honour. This curse would later prove pivotal in Karna’s life.

The curses placed upon Karna are manifestations of fate, but they are consequences of his actions and choices (deceiving Parashurama and accidentally killing a Brahmin’s cow). This intertwining of fate and free will illustrates how his decisions lead to predetermined outcomes.

Entry into Hastinapura and Friendship with Duryodhana

Karna’s martial prowess became clear during a tournament in Hastinapura, where he challenged Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes. When his lineage was questioned, Duryodhana, the Kaurava prince, intervened and made Karna the king of Anga (modern Bihar), solidifying their friendship. Despite the prejudice, Karna grew into a magnanimous king, ruling Anga with justice and generosity. He was a man of his word, known for his immense charitable nature and unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana, who was the only one who saw him beyond his birth. He supported the Kauravas in their rivalry against the Pandavas, often out of gratitude for the respect and status Duryodhana gave upon him.

Acts of Generosity

Karna is renowned for his unmatched generosity. His acts of charity and selflessness are many and reflect his noble character despite the adversities he faces. Here are some notable examples of Karna’s generosity:

• Gift of Kavacha and Kundala to Indra – Karna was born with divine armour (Kavacha) and earrings (Kundala) that made him nearly invincible. Indra, the king of the gods and father of Arjuna, knowing that these divine gifts would make Karna unbeatable, decided to ask for them in disguise. Disguised himself as a Brahmin Indra approached Karna, asking for his Kavacha and Kundala as alms. Despite knowing that giving them away would leave him vulnerable and without his divine protection, Karna unhesitatingly, removed and gifted them to Indra. This act of supreme generosity shows Karna’s commitment to his principles of charity and selflessness, even at enormous personal cost.
• Daily Ritual of Charity – Karna was famous for his daily practice of giving away whatever was asked of him, turning no one away empty-handed. His palace was always open to those in need, and he was known as “Daanveer” (the great giver). Karna’s generosity, a defining trait, is depicted in countless folktales where he readily gave away his wealth and even his chariot to those in need.
• Promise to Kunti – Before the Kurukshetra War, Kunti, Karna’s biological mother, revealed his true heritage to him, hoping to convince him to join the Pandavas. Kunti pleaded with Karna to spare her other sons during the war. Karna, despite his loyalty to Duryodhana and his commitment to the Kauravas, promised Kunti that he would kill none of her other sons except Arjuna. This promise reflects Karna’s deep sense of familial duty and his willingness to grant his mother’s request, even though it placed him in a difficult moral and strategic position.

Karna’s generosity is a defining aspect of his character in the Mahabharata. His willingness to give away anything, including his divine protection, wealth, and even his life, exemplifies his noble nature. Despite the adversities and prejudices he faced, Karna’s acts of charity and selflessness remain unparalleled, making him one of the most revered and respected characters in the epic. His generosity serves as a poignant reminder of the virtues of selflessness and altruism.

Indra and Karna

Indra, king of the gods (Devas) and father of Arjuna, realized that Karna would be invincible in battle as long as he had the golden armour and earrings he was born with. With war imminent during the Pandavas’ exile, Indra sought to weaken Karna. Disguising himself as a poor Brahmin, he approached Karna during his prayers, knowing Karna’s unwavering commitment to never refuse a request from a Brahmin or beggar at that time of day. Karna’s father, the sun god Surya, appeared to him in a dream, warning that Indra would come disguised as a beggar to ask for his armour and earrings as alms. Surya implored Karna not to give away his divine protection. However, Karna, unaware that Surya was his father, ignored the warning. As Surya had predicted, a disguised Indra approached Karna and requested his kavacha (body armour) and kundala (earrings) as alms. Despite knowing that they were his protection, Karna unhesitatingly gave them away, cutting the armour and earrings from his body without flinching. Moved by Karna’s selflessness, Indra, shamed into generosity, granted Karna the boon to use his most powerful weapon, the Vasavi Shakti, but only once.

Kunti approached Karna

Kunti, fearing the impending war, approached Karna and revealed her identity as his mother. The two shared a touching moment, with Kunti urging Karna to forsake the name ‘Radheya’ and call himself ‘Kaunteya’ (Kunti’s firstborn) instead. Karna, deeply moved, confessed that this acknowledgment was something he had longed for his entire life. However, when Kunti, with Surya reinforcing her plea from the sky, asked Karna to join her and the Pandavas, he refused. Karna explained that had she claimed him as Kaunteya years ago, when he appeared at the tournament, things might have been different. But now, it was too late. His loyalty to Duryodhana was paramount; he was Duryodhana’s friend, first and foremost, and he had to fight the Pandavas. Nonetheless, he promised Kunti that he would kill none of her five sons except Arjuna. Karna and Arjuna had sworn to kill each other, and one of them had to die. He told Kunti she could only dream of six sons; she would always have five, either him or Arjuna. Karna agreed to use the naga-Astra against Arjuna only once. He requested his mother to keep their relationship and his royal heritage a secret until his death. Only then could she reveal to the world that he was actually her firstborn. By denying the revelation of this secret, Karna chose to forego his rightful claim as the eldest of the Pandavas and the rightful emperor.

Karna and Bhishma

Hearing of Bhishma’s fall, Karna, inspired by fear, quickly approached him. Seeing the hero lying on his bed of arrows, Karna, with a voice choked with tears, fell at his feet and said, “O chief of the Kurus, I am Radha’s son, whom you have always looked upon with hate!” Bhishma, slowly raising his eyelids, caused the guards to leave and embraced Karna with one arm. He said affectionately, “Come, come! You are Kunti’s son, not Radha’s! I heard this from Narada and Krishna-Dwaipayana. Without doubt, it is true! I bear no malice and only spoke harshly to temper your energy. You speak ill of the Pandavas because of your difficult circumstances and pride. In archery and strength, you are equal to Arjuna or even Krishna! For fear of internal dissensions, I spoke harshly. My wrath against you is gone. The sons of Pandu are your brothers! If you wish to please me, unite with them and end these hostilities! Let all the kings of Earth be freed from danger today!” Karna replied, “I know I am Kunti’s son, but I was abandoned and raised by a Suta. Having enjoyed Duryodhana’s wealth, I cannot betray him now. I am prepared to sacrifice everything for his sake! Death from disease does not become a Kshatriya! I have opposed the Pandavas, and this affair will take its course. I know the sons of Pandu and Vasudeva are invincible, yet I will fight them! I cannot let go of my animosity. I will struggle against Dhananjaya. Please forgive any harsh words I may have spoken or actions I may have taken against you.” Bhishma said, “If you cannot cast off your animosity, I permit you to fight! Serve your king with all your power and courage, observing the conduct of the righteous. Achieve what you seek, and engage in battle, for a Kshatriya finds no greater happiness than a righteous battle. I made significant efforts to bring about peace, but I failed.” After Bhishma spoke, Karna saluted him, got his forgiveness, and proceeded towards Duryodhana.

Karna’s Role in the Kurukshetra War

Karna’s unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana led him to side with the Kauravas in the great Kurukshetra War against the Pandavas. Despite knowing that the Pandavas were his own brothers (a fact revealed to him by Kunti before the war), Karna honoured his commitment to Duryodhana. His valour and skill were evident throughout the war, where he played a crucial role in many battles.

Before the start of the war, Bhishma, the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava forces, does not appoint Karna as one of his key generals. Instead, he assigns Karna to a less significant position to curb his intense hatred for the Pandavas. Feeling insulted, Karna rebels against Bhishma and refuses to fight under his command. He is further dismayed when Duryodhana does not intervene to reinstate him. Duryodhana, a shrewd politician, understands the strategic importance of having Bhishma on his side. Despite Bhishma’s declaration that he holds the Pandavas dear and would not kill them, Duryodhana values Bhishma’s unmatched prowess and longstanding undefeated record. Karna enters the battlefield only on the 11th day, after Bhishma is struck down the previous day. Interestingly, although Karna defeats the Pandavas on several occasions, he refrains from capturing them, even when he has the opportunity to do so.

Karna and Abhimanyu

On the thirteenth day of the battle, Dronacharya organized a special formation for the phalanxes called the Chakravyuha, a circular arrangement of soldiers. Only Krishna and Arjuna on the Pandavas’ side knew how to break this formation, but both were purposely lured away from the battlefield by two kings on Duryodhana’s side. Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son, had partial knowledge of the Chakravyuha, having heard about it while in his mother Subhadra’s womb as Arjuna narrated the strategy. However, Subhadra fell asleep during the explanation, so Abhimanyu only learned how to enter the formation, but not how to exit it. Despite this, it was decided that Abhimanyu would lead the Pandavas into the Chakravyuha, after which they would fight their way out together. On that fateful day, Abhimanyu successfully entered the Chakravyuha and fought valiantly, defeating many of the Kauravas’ reputed generals, including Karna, Drona, and Duryodhana. However, Jayadratha, a king in the Kaurava army, prevented the other Pandavas from following Abhimanyu into the formation, leaving him isolated in the middle of the enemy formation. Despite his bravery, Abhimanyu was eventually overwhelmed. Following Drona’s instructions, Karna broke Abhimanyu’s bow and the reins of his chariot, rendering him defenceless. The Kauravas, including Karna, then surrounded and killed Abhimanyu. In response to his son’s death, Arjuna took a terrible oath to kill Jayadratha by sunset the next day, or he would sacrifice his own life through self-immolation.

Karna and Ghatotkacha

As the sun set on the fourteenth day, the battle unexpectedly raged on into the night. Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s half-asura son, unleashed his formidable powers, wreaking havoc on the Kaurava forces. Duryodhana and Karna valiantly fought back, but Ghatotkacha’s nighttime prowess seemed unstoppable. With the Kaurava army on the brink of annihilation, Duryodhana begged Karna to intervene. Left with no choice, Karna reluctantly deployed the Shakti weapon, a gift from Indra, against Ghatotkacha. Though it saved the Kaurava army, the weapon’s use came at a significant cost: it returned to Indra, leaving Karna without his most powerful weapon reserved for use against Arjuna. Moreover, Karna had already surrendered his invincible armour and earrings to Indra earlier. Now, he faced the daunting prospect of battling Arjuna, who possessed a range of divine weapons, with only his skills and prowess to rely on. Yet Karna steeled himself for the inevitable showdown, knowing that one of them would emerge victorious, and the other would meet their end.

Encounters with Arjuna

The enmity and rivalry between Karna and Arjuna were central to the Mahabharata. Both were peerless archers, and fierce battles and intense drama marked their confrontations. On the seventeenth day of battle, the much-anticipated confrontation between Karna and Arjuna finally took place. They were evenly matched during the spectacular combat. Karna wielded the bow Vijaya, gifted to him by Parashurama and designed by Vishwakarma. At Duryodhana’s request, Shalya, the maternal uncle of the Pandavas, reluctantly agreed to drive Karna’s chariot, providing Karna with a charioteer equal to Krishna, as Shalya had mastered the Ashwahridaya (“Art of Horses”). Without the Shakti weapon, Karna had no guaranteed way to kill Arjuna and had to rely on his own skill. In a wondrous and intense display of archery, valour, and courage, Karna and Arjuna engaged in combat, exhausting all their brilliance and knowledge. Karna stunned Arjuna with a powerful volley of arrows to his chest, and as Arjuna was momentarily dazed, Karna unleashed another volley intended to kill his foe. King Shalya, Karna’s charioteer, advised him to aim the naga-Astra arrow at Arjuna’s chest. However, Karna, confident in his abilities, aimed at Arjuna’s head instead. At that critical moment, Krishna intervened by plunging Arjuna’s chariot into the earth, causing the arrow to miss Arjuna by mere inches and strike his crown instead.

During the combat, one of Karna’s chariot wheels got stuck in loose soil, a consequence of a curse placed on him by a Brahmin whose cow Karna had mistakenly killed. Shalya, his charioteer, refused to help remove the wheel from the mud. Karna asked Arjuna to pause the combat while he dismounted to free the wheel. Although Arjuna agreed, Krishna reminded him of Karna’s previous dishonourable actions, particularly against Abhimanyu, who had been left without a chariot or weapons. As Karna struggled to lift the wheel and cursed by Parashurama, failed to recall the mantras needed to unleash powerful weapons like the Brahmastra, Arjuna’s anger and grief over Abhimanyu’s death surged. At Krishna’s urging, Arjuna aimed the fatal shaft Anjalika at the desperate Karna and beheaded him, ending their epic confrontation.

Death and Legacy

Karna’s death was met with great sorrow. His virtues and tragic life earned him immense respect, even from his adversaries. After his death, his true lineage was revealed, and the Pandavas, especially Yudhishthira, were grief stricken to learn that they had fought and killed their elder brother. Karna’s life exemplified unwavering loyalty, generosity, and the complex interplay of fate and free will.

Karna’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of blind loyalty and the importance of moral discernment. Despite his exceptional bravery, righteousness, and gifts, Karna’s unwavering devotion to the malevolent Duryodhana, ultimately led to his downfall. Though aware of Duryodhana’s sinister plans against the Pandavas, Karna supported his friend, albeit reluctantly, in actions that went against his own moral principles. This loyalty came at a significant cost, as Karna’s name became tarnished by his involvement in the mistreatment of Draupadi and the tragic killing of the defenceless Abhimanyu.

Karna’s tale highlights the dangers of prioritizing personal relationships over moral integrity, leading to a fate that serves as a warning to future generations. His story underscores the importance of standing up against injustice, even if it means going against dear friends or allies. Despite his many virtues, Karna’s blind loyalty to Duryodhana ultimately defined his legacy, serving as a cautionary tale in the annals of history.

Conclusion

Karna’s story in the Mahabharata is a tale of heroism, loyalty, and tragedy. Despite the adversities he faced, his character remained noble and steadfast. His life serves as a poignant reminder of the power of destiny and the enduring human spirit. Karna’s legacy continues to inspire and evoke deep reflection on the themes of honour, duty and the complex nature of human existence.