AW: Karna's Karma

[Guest guest]

Om namaH SivAya:

 

In my humble opinion, there are two ways to understand a man. Either by his

deeds or by the peoples deeds whom he is associated with. Ranjani's

questions should be understood in the light of the people's deeds whom he is

assoiciated with!

That kind of perspective alone will take us to the real deapth where we can

understand the reasons behind Karna's suffering.

 

There is always a sad human element in the life of Karna. He is abondended

by his real mother Kunti, brought up in a family which is considered

inferior when compared to the rulers family. So he understood what is

humliation, and he adopted virtuous deeds. At a personal level he is a very

pious man, dhArmic, always wants to give, more over --- never refuses to

give. AND all these good deeds have made him deserved for the moksha at the

end.

 

Now the question -- Why is he cheated from the beginning? Let us see point

by point:

 

a) When Karna went to try his luck at shooting the fish to get Draupadi's

hand, Krishna prompted Draupadi to say that she will not marry the son of a

charioteer...

 

Madhava: This incident took much after the first meeting between Duryodhana

and Karna. In mahabharata, if we carefully observe the episode where Karna

is throned by Duryodhana as the King of Angarajya, then we can understand

that the seeds for his bad karma are sown that day! Karna is looking for a

chance to show his valour. Duryodhana used that chance. He used Karna to

show his vengence on Pandavas. Karna is not an ordinary person, for not

able to understand the real motives behind Duryodhana's actions. Karna is

potrayed as a brilliant person through out Mahabharata. Karna gave his word

to Duryodhana, but our Seers advise us that one should think twice before

giving a word. Instead of thinking about the consequences, Karna gave his

word saying he will stand by Duryodhana in all his deeds! This promise

implies that even if Duryodhana does something bad Karna will support him!

In deed, Karna did this.... He stood by his word. Karna would have never

allowed Droupadi to be humiliated like that in the Meeting hall, had that

not been because of his promise!

 

Now tell me, what will you think of a very good person at heart, but who

associates himself heavily with bad people. More over, Karna is a good

person who is supporting the bad people's bad deeds! So what Krishna did is

to contain Karna all the time. Krishnavatara came for that purpose alone

"yadA yadAhi dharmasya glAnirbhavati bhArata, abhyuthhAnaM adharmasya

tadAtmAnaM sRUjAmyahaM".

 

By the way, Karna is not trying his luck! But it is in deed... Duryodhana

who is trying to get his vengence by encouraging Karna to shoot the fish.

Karna says that he is not interested in marrying Droupadi, but it is

Duryodhana who compels Karna to participate in the Matsya Yantra! In my

opinion, a woman who marries a man --- who has some external motives behind

marrying her, will never be happy! Krishna did a favour to Draupadi by

advising her that way. Otherwise, Droupadi would have become an unhappy

wife, because she is married to a man who is not much interested in her.

 

b) Krishna made Indra go to Karna and ask for his protective armour.

Madhava: YES! Otherwise, how could pandavas defeat Karna? Do you know what

it means for Karna to be alive? If Karna is alive, the entire evil kingdom

of Duryodhana is alive, which means victory to the evil! Karna made a

promise to Duryodhana that as long as Karna is breathing, he will not allow

a single arrow to touch Duryodhana. In deed, naturally Karna stood by his

promise, he protected Duryodhana as long as he was alive. Duryodhana is

killed only after Karna's mortal coil fell to ground. Karna brought himself

to fall by his own promises!

 

Krishna's aim behind taking away the armour, is not to cheat Karna, but to

defeat Duryodhana. Lord Krishna is not that narrow minded :-) he knows

what is better for good people. He uses any means to do good to the good

people! And you should also be aware of the fact that Indra openly

confesses to Karna that Karna's defeat is their aim! Inspite of knowing

that Karna gives away his armour.

 

Karna is a wonderful character. He is a great man, with all virtues at his

heart. Alas! he stood in the bad company. Just like Bhishma.

 

Harih Om tat sat.

 

I remain yours,

Madhava

 

 

 

 

 

-----Ursprungliche Nachricht-----

Von: ranjanin [ranjanin]

Gesendet: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 10:41 PM

An: advaitin

Betreff: Re: Re: Karna's Karma

 

 

Om Nama Shivaya

 

 

Karna's trials and tribulations can indeed be easily explained as a no

exception. Every one has these ups and downs. Karna had his share. But I am

not able to understand why the Lord himself took active part in bringing

about Karna's several trials. When Karna went to try his luck at shooting

the fish to get Draupadi's hand, Krishna prompted Draupadi to say that she

will not marry the son of a charioteer. Krishna aided in disabling Karna's

chariot. Krishna asked Arjuna to shoot Karna when he was without bow and

arrow. And in the end, Krishna liberated Karna from his good deeds.

 

Sri Ram Chandran explained the last part beautifully. I request you to

please shed light on the others too.