In India, for people who are conversant with the Mahabharata, there is a whole culture where Karna is a kind of anti-hero. He is a sweet mango gone bad. He was a wonderful human being gone totally bad because he invested in bitterness. His bitterness took him into a disastrous life story. He was a man with a phenomenal sense of integrity and generosity but all this was lost. He died in the battle in a bad way.
The “low-born” king
He was resentful because he did not know whose child he was. But the people who brought him up, did so with utmost love. His foster parents, Radha and Athiratha, loved him immensely and brought him up very well, the way they knew. He always remembered how much his mother loved him. “That is one person who loved me for who I am,” he says. Out of his competence and the will of fate, he became Angaraja – the king of Anga. He got many things and was given a position and place in the palace. In many ways he was also a big king’s sidekick. Duryodhana held him dear and took advice from him. He had everything that life could offer. If you look at his life, the fact of it is that he was a charioteer’s son who became a king. He should have been really happy. A child who is found floating on the water grows up to become a king. Is it not a wonderful thing? But no, he did not give up his resentment. He was always unhappy and miserable because he could not come to terms with what he was being labeled as. Wherever he went, people referred to him as a suta or “low-born” because of his ambitions. Throughout his life he complained about this. All the time, he nourished bitterness within himself about his so-called low birth.
This bitterness made a wonderful human being into such a nasty and ugly character in the Mahabharata. He was a great human being and showed his greatness in different situations, but because of this bitterness, in many ways it was he who turned everything wrong. For Duryodhana, it did not matter what Shakuni said or did, it was Karna’s advice which always sealed the deal. After everything was decided, he would look at Karna, “What shall we do?” Karna could very easily have turned the direction of the whole story.
Tragedy and sacrifice
His life went through various pitches of tragedy and sacrifice alternately. He displayed this sense of sacrifice continuously, but no good came out of it because he was destroyed by the one thing that mattered to him the most – he wanted to be somebody that he was not, at least in the society. Maybe he actually was in reality, but as far as society was concerned, he wanted to be somebody he was not. Because of this obsession, he continuously blundered. He was an intelligent man. He had enough sense to see that what Duryodhana was doing was wrong. But he was not just a passive participant, he was an active participant who goaded Duryodhana on, many times. Duryodhana’s life could have been saved if only Karna used his intelligence rather than his loyalty and gratitude. He failed to use his intelligence and continuously went from one blunder to another.
A life full of wrong turns
When Krishna came to sue for peace, he spoke to Karna. “Why are you doing this to yourself? This is not what you are. Let me tell you what your parentage is. Kunti is your mother and your father is Surya.” Suddenly, Karna broke down. He always wanted to know who he was and where he came from. He always wanted to know who it was who let him off in the river in that little box. Suddenly, he realized that he had been actively trying to nurture hatred towards the five Pandavas, even though it was not naturally so. Because of his gratitude to Duryodhana, somewhere, he believed he must hate these five people. Though there was no hatred in his heart, he worked it up all the time and came out meaner than anyone. If Shakuni said one mean thing, he would say the next mean thing. And he wouldn’t stop there because he was always working up his hatred trying to prove his loyalty and be grateful for what Duryodhana had done for him. Somewhere deep inside, he knew that everything he was doing was wrong, but his loyalty was so strong that he continued to do it. He was a wonderful guy but he continuously made mistakes. All our lives are like that – if we make one wrong choice, it takes ten years to recover, isn’t it? He never recovered because he made too many wrong turns.
Life is fair!
Existence is not making a judgment about who is good or bad. It is only social situations that try to judge people as good and bad. It is only individual human beings who try to judge you as good and bad. Existence never judges because it is not written anywhere that one thing is good and some other thing is bad. It is just that if you do the right things, the right results happen to you. If you don’t do the right things, the right things do not happen to you. I think that’s perfectly fair. All the Karna fans think it is unfair that he should have been put through so much. I think it’s perfectly fair. Society may not be fair, but the existence is perfectly fair – unless you do the right things, the right things will not happen to you. If existence was not like this, there would be no value for doing the right things or for human intelligence. Nothing that we value in our life would be valuable if you could do wrong things and still the right things happened to you. Life doesn’t work like that.
I have strongly disagree with your point that if you do the right things, right things will happen. Bad things happen even after you do all the right things.
For example, a man goes to school, studies hard, funds a good job and settles down with his family. Tomorrow , a tornado hits and kills him. What wrong has he done? Of course, my scenario assumes that this man lived a very typical life.
Also, your argument that Karna is trying to be someone he is not is invalid. Karna was of royal lineage, but was raised by a charioteer. So, who is Karna? A charioteer’s son or the sun of a god? His ambitions March his bloodline, but is limited by the circumstances of his adoptive father’s lot in life.
Through all of this, Kunti was well aware of who Karna was. Yet, it was Dhuryodana who consistently stood by Karna. Why should you take up for people who are so ready to deny you? What kind of mother is Kunti for allowing her legitimate sons to hate her firstborn without knowing the full truth?
At the end of the day Karna acted to the best of his knowledge. Until the fateful battle at Kurukshetra, Karna believed he was a charioteer’s son. Of course, even after it was revealed to him the truth, he stood by Dhuryodana. Maybe that was wrong, but I don’t know if would have done anything differently. If you value intellect over loyalty and gratitude, the Kunti is even more guilty of her role as she knee from day 1 as to Karna’s role in life.
We will happy if more studies of similar subjects are posted. It is pathetic we have forgotten ourself.
The above article gives the information which many knows about Karna . Puranas contain the actual story of Kana tracing back his previous life as Rakshas.Nara Narayana(Rishis) were unable to kill Karna in his previous birth , born again as Arjuna and Lord Krishna to complete their task. Like wise Abhimanyu who was a Rakshas was killed in the battle.
Krana was a tragic hero, He was the first born son of Queen Kunti and The Sun God Surya. Thus the Kingdom that the whole Battle was over was truly his. So although society might of called him “a low born king” he was anything but. He consciously renounce the Kingdom when we was offered it the night before the battle by Queen Kunti out of Dharma…being faithful to the “only mother he knew, that breast feed him when we was abandon and robbed of his birth right by young Queen Kunti, He had to fight on the side of Duryodhana out of Dharma for it was Duryodhana that elevated him from a son of a Charioteer to a Vedic King. He was gladly and nobly bound by Kshatriyas Dharma.
Karna was quite a tragic and noble hero his faith twisted by an uunwed teenage mother’s cruel abandonment. Cursed by his teacher Parsarama at no fault of his own (he did not know his parentage, thus answered falsely when asked) to loss his powers when he need them most.
“Charity was Karna’s very nature despite the warning, and knowing fully well that giving up his treasured weapons would lead to his death, he willingly gave them up when Indra came to ask for them .
He was the only warrior that could beat Arjuna his younger brother who sensed this and states “Prestige and fame mean more to me than even my life. Unless I kill Karna in the war, the ambition of my life will not be fulfilled and for that i would adopt any method,even if it is against Dharma.”
Draupadi looked into the eyes of her husbands and said “I love five of you. But I love a sixth too. I love Karna . I regret not marrying him on account of his caste. If i had married Karna, then i would never have to experience any of these bitter events in my life…, I would not have been gambled away, publicly humiliated and called a whore. For he has all the qualities possessed by my 5 husbands”
Karna was a true noble unsung antagonist of the Mahābhārata another victim of the cruel caste system that still continues the battle of Kurukshetra to this day. In this sense we can say “Myths are things that never happened but are happening all the time”….
Karna proved beyond doubt that a friend in need is a friend indeed.A great character known for his charity. he might not have gt the reognition deserves but in the end Almighty gae him his due place
Karna: Agreed that Karna suffered because of his bitterness. I have a small doubt;
‘when he was left in the river in the small box by his mother kunti… was he bitter then? all the bitterness or hatred grew only after his realization that he was found in the river discarded by his mother. so please explain? he supported duryodhana coz he gave him the position of a King which was beyond Karna’s means. so he was loyal to duryodhana. he was showing loyalty to his ‘master’
above all I believe that our divine creator has planned this. whether fair or unfair has already been pre determined by the creator of this universe.
Excellent
Very good article I completely agree with the views expressed
Very interesting story of course.
Karna is basically hero. Finally he become a villan due to bad friend ship. This is what indication whoever friend ship with bad manner people. The entire life will be spoiled. Karna knows which is good and which is bad. But in front of lot of bad manners are went.he never object to Duryodana.
Moral : Character is most important than friend ship.
No – this is not who Karna is – at least not in my opinion – this version is biased and is written to prove that he is greedy and driven by ambition that is coarse and rough and portrays him as bad man right from the beginning. may I suggest that indiadivine take some advice and counsel after writing stuff like this from some of the learned people in india and then publish articles. this sort of writing and maligning characters and taking a provocative and controversial stance is not done for the classics and mythologies without advice. This article seems prejudiced right from the start
dear writer,
karna was really a great personality.
but there were tricks and techniques like this time to bring the opponent down through negative comments.
this happened to karna.
when he(karna) was given up by his mother that was justified by some stories connected with past lives.
in true sense we don’t know the exact facts happened in these days.
if u have a good brain and some imaginations then easily u can create stories both good and ba abt a person.
if Krishna was perfect then karna was also.
otherwise no.
let it be there.
thanks for allowing me to write on this space.
thanking u once more
with prayers
dr.raghavan
08-02-2015
I have a different story to offer. As we believe in rebirth and fate one should look at it this way
Aruna the charioteer of Sun God had two sons – Vali through Indra and Sugriva through Surya. Sugriva was responsible for demise of Vali through Lord Rama. The consequence was in Mahabharata when Arjuna the son of Indira killed Karna the son of Surya again directed by Lord Krishna.
“Duryodhana’s life could have been saved if only Karna used his intelligence rather than his loyalty and gratitude. He failed to use his intelligence and continuously went from one blunder to another.”
is this article really by satguru?. Hard to believe. Duruyodana is such a person who likes to hear r execute things against pandavas. If karna used his intelligence over loyalty. .. then karna will be in the list of Drona n Bhisma. He wont be treated as a good friend by Duruyodana. That’s the fact. karna laughed n spoke bad about draupati while she was dragged into the palace and they tried to undress her.
well… in short.. good title. . Wrong approach and bad judgements..
Is karna a hero? . Yes he is. Pls note that every hero has a little bit if villain in him.
Bhisma and drona…. witnessed the scene happening to draupadi.
Krishna.. the key for everything happened ..
They r all hero. Likewise karna too is a hero.
Sir
Namaskar
Excellent subject and appreciate all inputs .This topic and the Vali -killing in Ramayana have been two subjects of endless discussion and debate.
In fact these two are both linked in two Yugas ref our Karma and Outcome of it in next janma also as Prarabdha -karma-
Specific to Karna these are my thoughts:
1) The Mahabharat isa great lesson in Behaviour -Conduct .
2) Is a Leela and to be born to Surya Deva and be denied a legitimate normal Life , denied by Kunti is unfair –but Moha, Maya -Jagat-Leela is all just this.
Kunti is also Sri Krishnas aunt and an amazing woman yet she experiments with a “Putra”- mantra and then abandons her child .
2) Surya putra Karna’s life thus runsas Soota Putra -in an era when birth and status was all–as Radheys Child adopted-
3) Karnas behavior was in line with Surya -deva -his Father’s Blazing and hot and fiery but GiVING –benevolent.
4) Karna was the symbol of To LIVE is to GIVE or to GIVE ALONE IS to LIVE .
4) An unfair position in life and bitterness did make him lose his otherwise magnificent aura of brilliance and Generosity —
5) But, even on the Battle field he maintains Rules and does not shoot -his arrow at Arjuna after the Sun set as per Code of Conduct . Then to add to it is the Naga Astra from him and protection given by Sri Krishna to Arjuna by dipping the chariot wheels ; the misuse of words by his Charioteer Shalya “Sarathy”.
The Ultimate was in giving away Daana -even at the time of nearing his Death i.e. his final act of all his Punya Meritr to the Lord who tests –severely ..he Graciously Gives away –
Summing up
1) All Humans have some faults–what matters is the overall.
2) Amazing Generosity –Yes he stands high above as Dana Veera Surya Putra Shoorya-veera Karna.
Rgds
Capt.TR Retd
Chennai
Excellent post-incisive and non-judgmental. “Existence(Sat-Chit-Ananda) does not make a judgment about who is good or bad”; but situations/humans do- as many comments above show. Karna followed his dharma-say some; which/whose dharma? Dharma itself is multi-dimensional and a subjective reality- not absolute! Violence may be normally adharmic but it is a soldiers primary dharma, even to kill by deception, as in Mahabharata. Are there any universal/absolute norms of dharma? Please share, if you know, anyone!
So karna was a hero and a villain , depending on the perspective from which you are viewing him.
@Karna is a hero,
If a person does all the right things and deeds in his life but a tornadu hits him and he dies, he gains Moksha-The path of Supremacy… It is the ultimate good thing happening which is told. Not that he becomes very wealthy or gains name and fame…
Karna always have Arrogance about his quality. humbleness will only win.
I have read the Bhagavad Gita. I want to learn more about Hinduism, but it is very confusing. I’m an American, who was raised Catholic and have only had Christian training. After 30 years of studying other religions, I have come to the conclusion Judo-Christian religions got most of their “Biblical” stories from Mesopotamia, and the most ancient of scriptures, the Vedas. How can I learn to be a Hindu? I have an attraction to Shiva and Nandi. I have collected bull figurines since I was 10 years old. This is pretty weird for a child in the United States. Now I am 55 years old. I saw a statue of Shiva today at the art museum, it was terrible to see no offerings to him, but even if this statue was in a temple, I have no clue as to how to give offerings. Any advice?
A very interesting article. In life it is easy to judge but when put in a certain situation everyone reacts differently due to their
characteristics. Whether he was a hero or not is always going to be debated .That itself is proof that he was more than a villain. Life is not black and white .
Personally I feel for him, his insecurities and his pain .That does not mean I agree with his ways but as I said before who are we to judge, put us in his position we will crumble.
Arjun is nothing in fron of karna
Arjun tood advantage of caste based reservation to supress Eklavya & Karna.
It will fill many pages if we compare Karna with Arjun head on , but those who know both of them , are convinced that he was indeed greater !
Thank you for the excellent article …I enjoyed the comments as well .
Mythologies exist in most communities across the world. They are the bonding material that prevails through ages and keeps the community alive. Our Hindu genes readily absorbs the Hindu mythology , just as a Christian would relate to the Testaments. This is proof of the power of culture and society, as also proof that once mythology is ignored , in a few generations that community is dead . Perhaps it is part of evolution .
For me the relevance of my Hindu mythology lies in its interpretation- like the article has attempted on Karna. Being part of a “thinking” evolved race , we would always have conflicting points of view as seen in the comments. What I hope is that , as our poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote, we Hindus keep our doors of perception open to all thoughts , make our own judgment and let not that judgement be forced on others. I am looking forward to many more articles based on our scriptures and mythology.
Karna a loyal friend having high sense of gratitude. He was compassionate and noble. Mahabharata is a story of battle between Dharma n Adharma. Karna in spite of his virtuous traits sided with Adharma – to show his gratitude to Duryodhana. He could have advised wisely right things to Duryodhana who valued his judgment. Two examples: was it proper for Karna to support Duruodhana to denude Draupadi in the king’s court? Could not Karna advise Duryodhan to give 5 villages to Pandava’s to avoid war and destruction? By blindly sipporting Duryodhana for wrong causes, he never did long term good to him rather did disservice in the faulted notion of friendship n gratitude. He and like him other great heroes like Bhisma, Drona etc were faulted in their notions of virtue anf duty indirectly supporting causes of Adharma I.e. inhuman conduct driven by greed jealousy hatred and ego that is bound to perish. This is true universally for any time, any person or any situation.
Karna was a villain :
Man who act against truth by knowing itself for the desires is always a villain. Though it is not the fault of man but the fate, is the natures qualities.
These qualities can be corrected by only one way which is surrendering to god and this privilege has been given to every individual.
All are acting as a villain in this illusive World.
Karna A Remarkable and a Divine Gentleman
I have read some stories on Karna and I have a couple of remarkable quotes to share which has touched me.
Karna was know to give charity at a certain time one day when he had finished giving charity some one asked for charity knowing that the time was up but he could not get to Karna on time.
Karna immediately without question gave some gold which he had with his left hand when asked by his companion why did you give charity with your left hand Karna explained I was not sure if I took the gold from my left hand to my right hand my mind would change and tell me that the time of giving charity is up, that’s why without any consideration I gave with my left hand. Who knows what your thoughts can do and the person could have gone empty handed.
Once Arjuna asks Krishna why Yudhishthir is called Dharmaraj (Religion king) and Karna Daanveer (Donation king) even though both never refused alms to anyone. Krishna says wait for some time and I will let you know.
After a month, it was raining heavily in the whole kingdom when both Krishna and Arjuna, in disguise of Brahmins (wise men/priests), first go to Yudhishthir saying that we are doing a Yajna[1] and need 100Kg of sandalwood. Yudhishthir immediately sends his servants across the kingdom, and later refuses saying it is difficult to find dry Sandal wood anywhere. Let me know if I can arrange anything else for you. Both brahmins say “no thanks” and leave the place.
Then they go to Karna and make the same demand. Karna thinks for a while and says it is raining heavily outside, it is least likely to get dry Sandal wood anywhere. He takes out his bow and arrow and cuts all windows and doors of his palace and compiles them for the brahmins.
Later Krishna says to Arjuna, it is not that Yudhishthir would have refused if we would have asked for wood from his doors and windows. But this idea didn’t strike Yudhishthir in the first place. Yudhishthir donates because it is written in Dharma (religion), Karna donates because he likes to do it.
The message of the story is very subtle. So many times in office and other places we see people who just put superficial effort to show others and make themselves feel good about their effort. They don’t put their heart and soul in it. Somewhere, getting things done is not in their mind, they do it just because they have to.
Jai Shree Ram
Raju Solanki
Karna a chlid of destiny. capable of becoming a hero but limited by imperfect feelings controlling his intelligence thereby becoming victim of his own decisions. the real battle is not the one fought with swords r bows n arrows r what not. its the one fought within. A real hero is the one who wins it within. arjuna r gandhari r dhrutarashtra r every one associated with mahabharata they knew the meaning of hero .a supreme hero.
Yes. Karna was a hero. Please do not forget that Karna alongwith Drona & Bheeshma was among the only 3 on the Kauravas side to have witnessed Vishwaroopa of the Lord himself. This phenomenon is purely reserved for good/ noble souls only.
Karna hated his existence as a Suta putra & wanted to prove to the world that he had the capabilities befitting a King. Though he knew he was erring on the side of Duryodhana, he kept goading him to war with Pandavas. He became a victim of his own negative thoughts & inculcated hatred on Pandavas, just because he was on Duryodhana’ side.
Very well explained. If we believe in karma …hell n heaven is on the Earth only. We pay for every bad deed that we do here only and get rewarded for our good deeds. God is unbiased.
I read all the comments. Karna was a hero, there is no doubt about it. Yes, he was wrong in passing dirty comments on Draupadi but why were Bhishma, Drona and others were quite spectators to see Draupadi being unrobed? If this article on Karna was more analytical and factual, would have been better.
I disagree with most of what you have written here. I don’t think you have actually read his story that well. “He was resentful because he did not know whose child he was.” This is not true. He was never resentful about that. He loved his mother and father dearly. Karna was pure Leo energy, the son of the Sun. His main fault was loyalty, to Duryodhana, the first person to offer him friendship. His was pride and blind loyalty, that allowed him to stay loyal in the face of Duryodhana’s wickedness.
When Krishna told Karna of his heritage, he did not break down crying. He already knew of this before that conversation.
Karna’s life was tragic. Fate had other plans for him. His love of archery shown through all of it and he was the greatest archer of all time. He only lost his life due to the curses bestowed upon him.
Duryodhana was fighting for his birthright.If,we analyze carefully,he was the heir apparent for the kingdom.Excepting for this legitimate desire,there was no mention about himself,being a bad ruler .He did not do anything against the welfare of the people.He did not have any addictions.He identified a hero in Karna and fortified his strength.This was perfect rajatantra. Karna demonstrated the virtue of true friendship.In fact the pandavas won the war,because lord krishna was on their side.There were many incidents of trick rather than valor in defeating Bhisma,Drona and Karna.I am an ardent reader of Bhagwat geetha and love Krishna.Yet,my analysis is Karna is an unsung hero.He did actually what,his emperor and friend wanted
when a discussion comes about karna’s charectar obviously first comes more positive side than negative. when we discuss about the charectars of mahabharata.. we must analyze entire role thoroughly. we have to remember there is a talk in folks “without karna.. there is no bharata”. why this become very popular? any body thinks about it? dont read mahabharata as a purana or itihasa or else.. please read it a socio fantacy.. all kinds of human life goods and bads are involved in bharata. karna was very very ambitius man from the bigining. he is one of the most danger man of dushtachatustayam. why he became a friend of duryodhana because duryodhana make him a friend is a part of war strategy. he became anga raja.. he donated so much amout which is not owned by him. in every stage he provoked duryodhana. in sabhaparva.. karna provoked duryodhana for vastrapaharanam which led to the great war. when vikarna tried to stop.. karna warned him. in war time he deliberately went back saying the reason of artharatha qoute of bheeshma. at that time bheeshma, drona, krupa, bahlika, somadatta, ashwathama, duryodhana and others are atirathas.. karna even equal to ashwathama who killed all upapandavas for duryodhana through brahma shironamakastra. he will not able to kill even abhimanyu in single.. and direct war, who says equal to arjuna. how he become hero.. are else.
one thing.. there is no legitimize right for rule kuru samrajya to duryodhana. dhritarastra not eligible for rule any kingdom because of his blindness. pandu only have right to rule the kingdom. it is the system followed in those days. by his good charectar.. pandu.. him self give the chair to his brother.. and ruled the kingdom. for than reason dharmaraja become prince for next. dharmaraja only have the right to rule the kingdom. not duryodhana. i.e., duryodhana tried somany times to eliminate pandavas. i request readers follow the original bharata.. not other “pathaas”
because of silence maintaining in sabha at the time of draupadi vastrapaharanam.. bheeshma and drona were first killed in war. the rule of law which applied here is encouraging crime is bigger than crime.
Karna was mighty, powerful,equal or even superior to Arjuna in prowess and generous. He succumbed to self destruction by not listening to the good advise of Lord Krishna to leave the side of wicked Dhuryodhana and follow the right path. He blindly followed the path of friendship without judging whether his friend was right or wrong. Dhuryodhana took full advantage of karna’s generosity and his revengeful attitude towards Pandavas, in particular Arjuna. Even after knowing the wickedness of Dhuryodhana he did not part ways with him and stayed loyal. Ravana in Ramayana is also known to be pious Brahmin and his only one wrong thing was abducting Maa Sita and after giving several advices, Vibhishana parted ways with his own brother because he was convinced what Ravana doing was wrong. Nobody appreciates a person known to be good but doing wrong things in association with bad company. Who will forgive Karna taking the side of Dhuryodhana in Drowpadi Vastrapaharana which is such a henious crime? Karna himself was responsible for his self destruction.
It’s all Krishna’s pastime. Without which we would never had any shastras or great lessons to learn from Mahabharat or Ramayan. The real Hero is always Krishna. Jai!
Fate or Karma is the essence of Bagahvat Geetha. Fate is Karna had to undergo all trials and tribulations despite his great virtues and charector – here he was not able to win over the fate even with all his noble deeds, virtues and charector. And this is applicable to all human and animal which is an act of Krishna to whom we shall surrender.
no doubt about karna.HE IS A REAL HERO IN MAHABARAT..HIS TALENT IS RECOGNISED BY DURYODHAN AND GIVEN HIM POSITION. HE IS LOYAL FOR THAT..HE IS NOT OPPORTUNIST TO JUMP PANDAVAS SIDE WHEN HE GETS OFFER.HE KNOWS HE IS SUPPORTING ADHARMA..HE ALSO KNOWS THAT GOD KRISHNA IS SUPPORTING PANDAVAS..KAURAVAS WERE BAD..BUT HE DONT KNOW TOTAL KURUKSHETRA BATTLE IS ADHARMA.THE WAY BHISMA, DRONA, DURYODHAN AND HIMSELF WERE KILLED IS AGAINEST BATTLE LAW..WITHOUT ANYBODYS SUPPORT KARNA BECAME MOST TALENTED WARRIOR.. BUT WITH THE SUPPORT OF LORD KRISHNA ONLY PANDAVAS WON THE WAR..WITHOUT HIS BLESSINGS THEY WERE ZERO..REAL HERO IS KRISHNA..
Bheeshma, Drona, Karna Ashwathaama and the Pandavas were all, unquestionably heros. They all had many many qualities. They all had some few shortcomings as well. As other readers have pointed out. jn the Cosmic Leela, of the Supreme Brahman, everything has some connection with the past which is accumulated Karma,
Bheeshma and Drona also knew their past and how they would leave the body. The Paandavaas with all their faults(imperfections) surrendered to the Lord – the others even after seeing the Comisc form(Vishwaroopa) did not- Remember Gandhaari’s blessings to Duryodhana – she did not say “you will win’ but Dharma will win,
Karna played his part and uphled the ideal of Daanaveer in the Cosmic play that is Mahaabhaarata.
Karna had the best teacher, teacher of even Drona – viz Parasuraama nut his fate was otherwise.
Combinising all their qualities and shortcomings I consider Bheema, Karna and Arjuna all equal in greatness. NB Bheema’s faith in Lord Krishna exceeded that of Arjuna
“Existence never judges because it is not written anywhere that one thing is good and some other thing is bad.” Actually, it is written in many places that some things are indeed bad and evil.
There are beings who live to delight in harming others. There is no human religious philosophy to my knowledge, besides Devil worship, that does not condemn killing without just cause, rape or robbery as bad and demonic.
Having said that, otherwise I enjoyed the article. Although strongly pro-Western Civilization (not that much remains of it), I believe that the Vedic Civilization was one of the highest ever, on many levels. And I delight in learning more about it.
The lesson learnt I think is on friendship. When we have a friendship like Karna and Duryodanan, because of what Karna had inherited, thus he was forever grateful because he would have never got this status in his lifetime, if not without such a gift. Thus the reason for his friendship and gratitude which is now unbiased loyalty and devotion. The question is if this friendship, gratitude, loyalty and devotion: should it be for ever, especially if the someone who treads on Adharma and despite all the counsel given he refuses to change, nor is Duryodanan able to differentiate what is right and what is wrong. Only when and what he decides in his own favor seems to be the right thing to do.
I am not sure whether this curse on Karna on not being able to do the right thing, is because he forsake his own mother, when it was revealed to him. Thus, another lesson on adoption, if the child’s real biological parents are still alive when the child grows up, what is the right thing to do. Should the child abandon his foster parents who brought the child up as their own, with so much love and affection, or should he abandon his foster parents and return to his true biological parents.
I would love to see what readers have to say about this, because I know of an actual situation where the husband refused to adopt because the wife wanted to adopt one of her sister’s own child that was unplanned for. And when the child grew up, she still treats her potential foster parents as her own parents. Strange, but true.
Hare Krishna.
This article perfectly summarizes Karna’s position and epitomizes how nothing happens by chance but by our own karma and destiny i.e. Krishna’s arrangement!
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=12577
The Tamil lyricist Kannadaasan had beautifully described the life of Karna, the warrior in a film “Karnan”. He said.
For paying back the debt of gratitude to Duryodhana who recognized him and made him a King of Angadh, even though he was known to be a son of charioteer ( Raadheya), he had joined hands with people with whom he should not have been friendly and thereby got a very bad name . It was the treachery of Lord Krishna. Karna was a tragedian right from his birth to his death – He was born as a ‘bastard’ or a son not out of wedlock to a playful girl (Kunthi). He was ridiculed by the doyen of the Family- Bhishma, the Royal’s teacher Drona, envied by Arjuna as he was a better archer between the two, got the curse of Parasurama due to the cunning act of Krishna, duped by the nepotism of Krishna ( for Krishna had made Kunthi to get the kavach and kundalams which were part of his body, and to request Karna not to kill the Pandavas, made Indra to take away the ‘Punyam’ which was guarding Karna at the last hours, and so on. Through out his life, he was not given his due recognition – may it be the birth, education, valour, even at the time of death. KARNA is a character created as a good soul, made to suffer mainly because of the deceitful nature of others and the vile of Krishna. Probably, it was to show that in the Kaliyuga that was beginning at that time, persons would be handed down curses and unfavourable comments for not fault of his/her but as a result of favouritism and nepotism that would prevail. While Ravana in Ramaayana may be called a anti-hero, Karna, like Vikarna (one of the brothers of Duryodhana), and Kumbakarna ( the brother of Raavana) stood fast for the ‘faith’ and gratitude and did not join the forces opposite though it would have benefitted him immensely. He epitomized the ‘values’ in life not material benefits.
Ekalavya is one more who similar suffer in his life. Should we call as fate?
My opinion just read the character as it is. We can’t judge hero or villain. Just reading and understanding itself Mahabrat, can lead out life to better way. Better way does not mean only in this world but also after die.
………. Nice explanation & comments thereon ! I read all the comments. Karna was a hero, there is no doubt about it. How can you comment that he was wrong in passing dirty comments on Draupadi ? Why were Bhishma, Drona and others were quite spectators to see Draupadi being unrobed? If Bhishma & Dronacharya are not tagged with labels of “Bad Men”, you should not pass any negative comment on Karna. Circumstances created these opportunities ………..
Wendy: I appreciate reading through this post. Its amazing that being from a different part of the world, you appreciating our culture. If you have a small statue of Siva linga, keep offering him little water – this is called Abhisheka. He will be pleased. Thats all what I know.
Karna was always an anti hero.
even if one has to be loyal, if his master does any wrong thing he needs to question him. if he does not correct he needs to leave him. Vibhishana did this. Kumbakarna did question but did not leave ravana but he gave his life. karna faulted on this.
karna was truly generous. he as given in this article rightly wanted to boast of his generosity and followed the same. may be to feel high on the fact that even though being called low born, was giving to others who are supposed to be born in high caste.
every one who has written that he was very valorous and could beat Arjuna, needs to know he was beaten 7 times during the war by Bhima in archery itself. on one particular day Bhima killed 16 of kauravas, who came to rescue Karna from Bhima.
the words put in by some one on Draupathy, is baseless. can it be quoted from mahabaratha? some baseless statements does not make Karna hero.
Karna was Maharathi as well as Mahadani. He stayed frm birth to death, at Hastinapur. As Angaraj ,he was’ doing daan of monds of gold daily after takin bath in ganga at Munger, Bihar. Karn choura , temple and ganga still ecists with this story. How was he communicating between Hastinapur nd Munger daily? Physicaly imposible in ‘chariot age’.Qn is – – karna of Hastinapur and Angadesh are same or two different persons?
Jaggi maharaj baba or any gyani ,could throw light on this.
Inspite of receiving tons of gold Angadesh remains pauper.
If we read above article without all our prejudices and references then this article is excellent otherwise there are so many views and the debate is on.
Of course, Karna is Hero by his skills and courage.
Due to bad past karma, he got GuruDosha.
Any body who acquires Guru Curse will go bad only.
Inevitably joined with Gowrava and perished. It is classic example of how bad karma is making Hero in to Villain.
Nothing to worry about. Perhaps in his next junma, He will exhibit his good character.
moral : Never ever acquire curse of Guru or elders. That will make bad decisions. Even you can not execute good agamiya karma which is purely under one’s control. God does not have control on AGamiya karma as per Bagavath Ayya of Tamil Nadu, India .
Kindly
Kunti, was a curious, very young girl and wanted to test the veracity of the boon of Durvasa, that by sheerly invoking the vaious Gods, she could have a child.She tested this with Surya, who gave her Karna.As a young, princess, she abhorred the ignominy, getting a child,without proper marriage and to hide that guilty feeling, though Pandu, her lawfully weded husband allowed her to have three more sons, through other Devas, she put the new born Karna, in a box and floated it in a river.She regretted with remorse, for this act, all her life.
One can reach higher levels in society, by valour and by dana, donations and Karna, had both to his credit.Duryodhana, was extremely nice and kind to him and never faulted him, even when he pulled the saree of Bhanumathi, his wife, when she wanted to get up from a game of dice, with Karna, after she saw her husband coming, with the pearls, in the pallau of her saree, trickling down.When Karna, was also dumb, Duryodhana, just asked him, whether he can collect the scattered pearls or hook them back, on her saree.Karna never for got this, small incident of greatness, of his friend.
Karna was in bad company and in the lcompany of very seniorh,learned men like Bhishma, Drona, Dhritharashtra, Ashwathama, who were mute spectators, when Draupadi, was disrobed.This, he should have protested, but did not and paid for it, by being killed, while repairing his chariot, by Arjuna, who hesitated first, but induced by Krishna, that no mercy be shown to one, who was a mute spectator, of a heinous sin.
A small drop of poison or acid, spoils a whole pot of milk.That was the fate of Karna.But after shedding his mortal coil, he reaches Suryaloka and Brahma loka, for all his pious deed and blessings of Krishna.We are very puny mortals, with all foibles and we have no right or quality, to judge mighty men like Karna.We should pray for him and emulate his good deeds.
Karna was indeed a champion but cannot be considered a hero merely because of his ability.To be on the same side of Shakuni downgraded him to a demon just as Bhishma.
Karna was NOT A VILLAIN. He WAS A PURE HERO. This is one of the most biased short sighted article on Mahabharata that one can come across. This article does not explain ( or intentionally hides a lot of things ). So few questions on the article first and these will have to be explained before any accusing finger on Karna is being shown. Karna the hero, is being conveniently misled as a villain by this article which is unfortunate.
1. Kunti was the mother and she knew all along that Karna was her son much much before the war. Why did she not explain to Karna when she knew it immediate and why only just before the war ? Why did not Kunti explain to Pandavas as soon as she knew ? So Kunti was the first guilty person. Kunti carries the most guilt for the whole Mahabharata war. If ever one could have stopped the whole war it was Kunti. Kunti, in my view was a very selfish person or may be the most selfish person in our whole mythology. She feared for her name all the while – but she conveniently forgot how much pain Karna was suffering. She should have explained to everyone and probably could have ended her life after telling the truth. Sacrificing her life could have prevented the war and millions would not have died or widowed or maimed etc. So Kunti is the most selfish person here. The article conveniently misses the whole point on Kunti here.
2. Krishna in all his consciousness knew everything. He could have changed the course of the war but Dharma would not have been established. So Krishna to some extent was also responsible for Karna’s fate.
3. Indra went and received Karna’s protective armor. Indra could have told Arjuna about who Karna was and stopped the war – But why did Indra not tell Arjuna ?
4. God Parashurama knew all along about Karna’s birth. Parashurama could have explained to Karna that he was a Kshatriya and that he cannot teach him. So God Parashurama was also responsible to some extent. God Parashurama was bound by the dedication and willingness of Karna and any true teacher will not say No to any true student. The whole curse of Parashurama was an after thought for fear of what could happen in the future since Karna is now the greatest archer. It should be recalled that after the lessons were completed Parashurama himself mentions that Karna was “his only equal” in archery. So to say Arjuna was the greatest archer is another fallacy and lie in the whole Mahabharata epic.
5. Why did not Drona let Arjuna and Karna not fight it out during the competition ? The whole Mahabharata war could have been decided during that competition itself … Drona was afraid of his name if Karna wins the competition. So Drona was selfish as well.
6. There is also one more folklore in Mahabharata where Karna fights a snake demon when Draupadi was kidnapped and Arjuna was also captured by the demon. Karna fought for both Draupadi and Arjuna and released them both. If this folklore is taken into account, then both Arjuna and Draupadi could have ended the war as a “Thanks” to karna … why did not they do ?
No one is totally good or totally bad . Even Ravana had a lot of good traits in him. Instead of being judgemental we should accept these personalities for what they represent and if we notice such characters exist in our lives even today.
When we churn the curd ,the butter comes above and the buttermilk remains below, similarly we should emulate their ositive traits and leave the negative ones behind . Their character would have been incomplete if they didnt posses these qualities in toto
MAHABHARATA IS THE BUNCHES OF CHARACTRES PICTURISED MY MAHARSHI VYASA WHICH ARE VERY SIMILAR AROUND US TODAY TOO . THE CHARACTERS ARE PLAYRD TYPICLE ROLE AS PER SITUATION AND THEIR INNER NATURE . THAT IS THE GREATNESS OF MAHARSHI VYASA . OTHERWISE THE CHARACTERS ARE NOT IMPORTANCE THAN THE PUPPETS .THYE ARE THE GUIDE LINES FOR US . MAHABHARATA IS IDEALOGY TOO CHOOSE THE WAY OF LIFE WITH THEIR SIDE IFFECTS .
A very good cocept that karna is hero or villan. both the charaters are suit for him. It will be a big story. Cannot judge in a single line
Nobody has commented oon Karn’s other side I,e. Mahadaani. How can a person exist at two placed at the same time– living in Angadesh and Hastinapur . A visit to Karn choura in Munger revealed that Karna was performing daan there everyday. Then who was at Hastinapur? If he lived in Hastinapur , then whu ruled Anga as Angaraj? Experts may thro’ light ,pl.
With all due respect and regards to Dhananjaya ARJUN and KARNA, what about ËKLAVYA, whose thumb was eliminated for fear of his being superior even to the Guru, viz. Dronacharya. This practice still continues in INDIA and HINDUISM. Still competent and far more talented people of inferior caste are suppressed by the socalled fictitious upper caste category to save their skin and superiority. What if EKLAVYA was alive and available in the competition, it would have turned the whole course of KSHATRIYA community. And who knows how many such talents like EKLAVYA were eliminated and not brought to lime light either in the HINDU mythology or the DHARMA. For the sake and establishment of DHARMA, GOD knows how many EKLAVYAs were sacrificed.
Karna was deceived by everyone…..
His mother left in a basket in the river
Krishna god himself, deceived Karna by taking advantage of his genorosity & took Kavach (protective Armor) by sending Indra.
In the battler field when Karna was trying to remove the wheel of his chariot, Krishna egged on Arjuna to kill him, though it was against Dharma to kill a man that way.
I don’t think Duryodhana was taking Karna or anyone’s advise..He did it on his own.what can Karna do ? He was loyal to Duryodhana which was natural anybody would do the same
Sorry, No reply to my Qn put on Aug , 2 n 6. Can any scholar or historian or Gyanis ,explain/reply to my Qn.
Sept, 16 2015
I completely agree with the writer. It is accepted that lot of things went wrong for karna n it was unfair with him but if u look around at the same time.even pandavas have to face the same unjustice n betrayed in their lives but the most important difference between karna n arjuna was that karna gave his problem n ego more importance n went in a wrong direction. Neglecting even the lordkrishnas message of peace.where as on the other hand arjun a surrender his ego, problem n his mind under the lotus feet of the great lord n thus came out victorious.