Karna's karma

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Karna's Karma

Reference : Ms Ranjani Narayanan's mail of July 24,2001

 

1. The Mahabharata of sage Vyasa contains no account whatsoever, direct or

indirect, of Lord Krishna approaching Karna in disguise and seeking and

obtaining from the latter all his Punya. What is mentioned is that Arjuna

invoked the Anjalika astra. Then he prayed, "If it is true that I have practised

penance, satisfied my teachers, performed sacrifices and paid heed to the words

of well-wishers the, by virtue of this truth, let this mounted arrow kill Karna,

my powerful foe (Mahabharata 8.91.46-47)." The text goes on to say, "The arrow

released thus by the powerful Arjuna was effulgent like the rising sun and lit

up the directions and the sky. It then cut off his (Karna's) head just as Indra

cut off Vrittra's head with the Vajra weapon (8.91.51)."

 

The version of the Mahabharata in Tamil by Villiputturaar greatly glorifies

Karna and presents him as virtually free of shortcomings. The story about the

Lord requesting Karna for all his Punya so as to enable Arjuna to kill him finds

a place in this work. Works such as this are presumably the sources of the some

of the popular views about Karna that find no support in the Mahabharata of sage

Vyasa. Karna, as detailed by the sage, was generally praiseworthy but at times

stooped low indeed. For instance, quite unlike in the Tamil version, Karna is

presented by sage Vyasa as having behaved in a disgustingly vile manner when

Draupadi was dragged to the assembly by Dussasana. He taunted Draupadi by

telling her to find herself some mate than the Pandavas (8.91.9), termed her a

prostitute ( 2.68.35) and was the one who told Dussasana to disrobe her

(2.68.38).

 

[Note : Each group of three numbers specifies the Parvan, chapter and verse of

sage Vyasa's Mahabharata as published by the Gita Press. The translations are

mine.]

 

2. There is no record in sage Vyasa's work of the Lord exploiting Karna's

kindness and charitable disposition to secure Arjuna advantage or of His getting

Indra to do so. On the contrary, when He visited Hastinapura as an envoy, the

Lord privately gave Karna advice, which if followed would have resulted in the

protection of Karna's life, in Arjuna revering and obeying him and in his

becoming an emperor.

 

The Lord informed Karna, even prior to Kunti doing so, that he was the son of

Kunti and, that according to the cannons of Dharma , he was the son of Pandu

too. He explained that Karna ought, rightly, to join the Pandavas and spelt out

the benefits of doing so (5.140.6-29). The Lord said, inter alia, "Your

brothers, the five Pandavas shall clasp your feet (5, 140, 12). … I shall anoint

you king, the Lord of the world (5.140.18) … Enjoy the kingdom with your

brothers, the Pandavas, and be engaged in sacred recitations, sacrifices and

various auspicious acts (5.140.25)." Subsequently, the Lord categorically

stated, "The victory of the Pandavas is definite. There is no doubt whatsoever

about this (5.142.3)." Though Karna chose not to follow the Lord's salutary

advice , he nonetheless, straightaway admitted, "O' Kesava ! O' Varshneya!

Undoubtedly, you have spoken to me only out of concern for my well-being, love,

friendship and desire for my highest good (5.141.1)."

 

Among the reasons given by Karna for his decision, one was that Radha, his

foster mother, had brought him up with great love and he could not discard her.

Moreover, Adhiratha regarded him as a son and he ever regarded Adhiratha as his

father. Adhiratha had in accordance with the scripture and out of love for his

son ensured the performance of the requisite rites for Karna. Further, Karna had

married girls (of the Suta caste) and, through them, he had sons and grandsons.

He was bound by desire for these wives and could not render false this

connection in lieu of the entire earth, heaps of gold, joy or sorrow

(5.141.10-12). Karna also said, "I cannot bear to be false to the wise

Duryodhana (5.141.17)."

 

3. From the text of sage Vyasa's Mahabharata, it is discernible that Indra

approached Karna of his own accord as he was desirous of the well-being of the

Pandavas. Surya-deva had, however, earlier informed his son Karna about the

proposed visit of Indra and its purpose. He had advised Karna not to part with

his Kavacha and Kundalas but, instead, make offers of wealth, etc.

(3.300.14-16). Karna responded that he would, in keeping with his vow, make the

gift; he would thereby obtain everlasting fame everywhere (3.301.25-27). Surya

then advised him not to part with his armor and earrings without obtaining

Indra's infallible Shakti weapon in return (3.302.15-16). Karna agreed and

thereafter, "desirous of Shakti, he awaited the arrival of Indra (3.302.21)."

 

When Indra approached him in disguise and sought the armour and earrings, Karna

repeatedly demurred and offered other women, wealth, etc., instead. Finally, on

finding that Indra was holding on to his request, Karna declared, "You are Indra

himself." Then Karna mentioned that he stood to lose by giving what was sought

and categorically said, "Therefore, after giving me something in exchange, take

as you wish the excellent earrings and armour. Else, I will not give them to you

(3.310.17). …. Take the armour and earrings and give me, O Indra, the unfailing

Shakti, which exterminates the host of foes at the head of an army (3.110.21)."

Realising the possible consequences of what Karna was demanding, Indra pondered

over the matter and only after that agreed to the exchange (3.110.22). When

giving the Shakti, Indra stipulated that its should be used only in time of

great danger and that it would be available to Karna for use only once. Karna

wanted to use the weapon to slay Arjuna and eagerly waited for an opportunity to

do so. However, he was finally forced to use it against Ghatotkacha when the

latter was wreaking havoc on the Kaurava forces and inflicting unbearable wounds

on him (7.179.51-54).

 

It is apparent that while Indra did seek to take advantage of Karna's amazing

commitment to giving gifts, Karna was fully in the know of Indra's plan. Far

from being taken for a ride, Karna struck a hard bargain and obtained the Shakti

to possess which he was actually awaiting the visit of Indra.

 

4. A perusal of sage Vyasa's account of the first meeting between Karna and

Arjuna reveals that it was Karna, who, without Arjuna having spoken a single

word to him, not only insulted Arjuna but also expressed his keenness to attack

him. As for Arjuna, he did not make any caste-related offensive remark against

Karna.

 

When the Pandavas and Kauravas were displaying their skills in public after

completing years of training under Drona, Karna entered the arena. He looked

around and then offered his salutation to Drona and Kripa, but without much

respect (1.135.6). The people there did not know who he was. Then unprovoked, he

straight away told Arjuna, "Partha, as the (assembled) people watch, I shall

surpass all that you have done. Do not think too much of yourself (1.135.9).

Arjuna received the insult in silence. Having taken Drona's permission, Karna

duplicated Arjuna's feats. At the end of the display, Duryodhana, together with

his brothers, heartily welcomed Karna (1.135.14). Karna said, "I seek friendship

with you and I am desirous doing battle with just Arjuna (1.135.15). "

Duryodhana responded, "Enjoy pleasures with me. Do what is pleasing to (my)

relatives and, O destroyer of foes, place your feet on the heads of all (my)

enemies (1.135.16)."

 

Insulted Arjuna told Karna, who was standing in the middle of Kauravas, "You

shall, on being killed by me, go to those worlds to which are sent the persons

who enter where they are not invited and speak without being asked to

(1.135.18).Of what avail are objections that are endeavours of weaklings?

Speak with arrows, O) Bharata. Today, in the presence of your Guru, I shall chop

off your head with arrows (1.135.20)," responded Karna. Thereafter, Arjuna and

Karna became ready to fight. Kripa formally announced that Arjuna was the

younger son of Kunti and Pandu and asked Karna to announce his royal parentage

(1.135.31-32). Karna lowered his face (1.135.33). Neither Arjuna nor any of his

brothers said anything.

 

Duryodhana declared, "Arjuna may want to fight with a king. Therefore, I shall

anoint this one (Karna) king of Anga (1.135.36)." then he had Karna's coronation

performed. Karna asked him. "O Tiger amongst kings! Tell me what I may give you

that is similar to this gift of a kingdom. I shall offer it (1.135.39-40).

Duryodhana said, "I desire endless friendship with you (1.135.40).", "So be it

(1.135.41),." Averred Karna. Barely had the coronation ceremony ended when

Karna's foster father Adhiratha arrived there. Karna arose from his seat and

fell at Adhiratha's feet (1.136.2). Adhiratha exclaimed, "My son!, My son!"

(1.136.2). Even when it then became clear who Karna's father was, Arjuna not

only did not make any offensive caste-based remarks but just remained silent.

 

Thus it is not as though Arjuna insulted Karna with offensive caste-based

remarks and that Karna became inimical towards Arjuna as a consequence of this

humiliation. In fact, elsewhere in the text, it is explicitly stated that

Karna's rivalry with Arjuna commenced and continued from the very time that

Karna saw him (3.309.20).

 

5. Vyasa's Mahabharata does record that Bhishma stipulated that he would not

fight alongside Karna. However, Bhishma had a valid reason for doing so.

 

When Duryodhana requested Bhishma to become the commander-in-chief of the

Kaurava forces, Bhishma said "I care for the Pandavas like I do for you. I have

resolved to fight for you but I shall advise them about what is good for them

(5.156.16-17). … I will never slay the Pandavas (5.156.21)." He went on to

stipulate, "O King, let Karna fight first or let me do so. The reason is that he

constantly engages in limitless rivalry with me during combat (5.156.24)."

Surely, the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava forces was entitled to, and

indeed, justified too in taking steps to avoid the undermining of his essential

authority and control by the presence of a perennial challenger in the ranks.

Bhishma's assessment of Karna was not unfounded either, for, time and again, the

two had had sharp exchanges.

 

Prior to the war itself, a major disagreement arose between the two. Irritated

with Bhishma's assessment of his capacity, Karna said in the presence of the

leading warriors of the Kaurava side. "You (Bhishma) are full of likes and

dislikes and, out of delusion, capriciously classify people rathis and

maharathis. Duryodhana, perceive clearly and discard this wicked Bhishma who

does what is bad for you (5.168.18-19). Where is a clear understanding of

chariot-warriors and where is Bhishma with a dull mind? I will repulse the

Pandava forces (5.168.22). Where is fighting and bruising, where is good speech

during counselling and where is Bhishma who is aged, stupid and impelled by

destiny (5.168.24)." Such was the harshness and animosity with which Karna spoke

to and about Bhishma, the commander-in-chief. It was only much later that Karna

realised how much he had misunderstood Bhishma.

 

When Bhishma lay on the bed of arrows with his eyes closed, Karna approached him

when there was no one else around and said, "O Foremost among the Kurus, I am

the son of Radha, I who am ever hated by you and an irritant in your eye

(5.168.5)." To this, Bhishma gently said, "You are born of Kunti and not of

Radha. Adhiratha is not your father. You are the offspring of Surya. This had

been made known to me by Narada and Vyasa. Y child, I have no dislike towards

you. What I am telling you is the truth. (6.122.9-10). … O Observer of good

vows, for no reason, you have been faulting every one of the Pandavas

(6.122.11). Because of your birth having been in violation of Dharma and because

of your recourse to the vile and jealousy, your mind despises even those

possessed of good qualities (the Pandavas and Draupadi). That is why, I often

made you hear harsh words in the assembly of the Kurus. I know of your power in

battle which, in the world, is difficult for your enemies to bear and also know

of your reverence for Brahmins, valour and supreme establishment in charity

(6.122.12-14) … It is because of my apprehension of a split in family that I

constantly spoke harshly to you (to try to avoid the split) (6.122.15)." after

hearing all that Bhishma had to say, Karna said, inter alia, "My conviction is

that I shall defeat the Pandavas in the war. I am unable to discard my terrible

hatred for them (6.122.30-31). Please understand hat I have made up my mind to

fight. It is my view that I should fight after receiving your permission."

Finally, he apologised to Bhishma saying, "Please forgive all the improper words

I uttered and all the unfavourable acts I did impelled by anger and by

fickleness (6.122.33).

 

Pranams to all,

 

RAMASUBRAMANIAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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