Karna
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225901085
2008-07-15T22:51:26Z
205.160.53.134
/* The Seventeenth day */
{{about|a figure in Mahābhārata|other uses|Karna (disambiguation)}}
{{expert}}
'''Karna''' ([[Sanskrit]]: कर्ण written ''Karṇa'' in [[IAST]] transliteration) is one of the central figures in [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[epic poetry|epic]] [[Mahābhārata]]. He was the first son of [[Kunti]], and was thus half brother to the [[Pandavas]], and the eldest of them. Although [[Duryodhana]], the Kaurava appoints him king of Anga, his role in the legend far exceeds the importance of a king. He fought for the Kauravas in the great battle at [[Kurukshetra]]. As such, the name Karna (and various other spellings) is a common Indian first name.
==Birth==
The princess [[Kunti]] attended to the sage [[Durvasa]] for a full year, while he was a guest at her father's palace. The sage was pleased with her service and granted her a boon whereby she could call upon any god of her choice, and beget a child in his image. Unsure of whether the boon would actually be granted, Kunti, while still unmarried, decided to test the boon and called 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 were dipped in [[Amrita]], and were attached to him from birth.
Unwilling to face the world as an unwed mother, Kunti abandoned Karna, setting him afloat in a box in a river.
==Upbringing==
The child Karna was borne down the river and picked up by King [[Dhritarashtra]]'s charioteer, Adhiratha, a suta. Karna was raised by him and his wife Radha ('''not''' the same [[Radha]] who was Lord [[Krishna]]'s Companion at Mathura) as their son and named Vasusena (born with wealth), due to his natural set of armour and earrings. They knew something of his parentage by the jewellery he was found with, and never hid from him the fact that he was not their biological child. He was also known as Radheya because of the name of his mother Radha.
The bond between Karna and his foster family was one of pure love, respect and affection despite the lack of blood relationship. Adhiratha was honored by Karna in front of all the warrior kind, and Karna lovingly performed his duties as a son and brother within his foster family, despite his rise as king of Anga and the eventual revelation of his true birth.
==Training==
As he grew into adulthood, Karna sought to be a warrior. He approached Dronacharya, who at that time had established his school and was training the Kuru princes. However, Dronacharya did not accept him as his pupil because of his caste. Moreover Drona wants to make Arjuna as the best Archer.
He decided eventually to approach Parashurama, who was known to teach Brahmins alone. Karna appeared to Parashurama as a Brahmin and wanted to learn the arts of war from Parashurama and would use them to maintain order as Parashurama had done, and was accepted as his student. Karna is described as a diligent student. Parashurama trained him to the point where Parashurama declared Karna to have surpassed him in the arts of war.
==Curse of Karna==
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 Parashurama heard his plea Parashurama said his curse was irrevocable, he would gift to him the Vijaya, Parashurama's personal bow, and that in the end, Karna would achieve what he wanted the most, everlasting honor.
Departing from Parashurama's ashram, Karna wandered for some time. Mistaking a cow for a wild animal, he shot an arrow and killed it. Incensed, the brahmin who owned the cow cursed Karna, stating that when Karna would fight the most crucial battle of his life his wheel would get stuck in the mud, rendering him vulnerable to his enemy.
Returning home, Karna informed his family of his training, keeping the curses a secret.
==King of Anga and Friendship with Duryodhana==
Drona held a tournament at Hastinapura, to display the skills of the Kuru princes. [[Arjuna]] emerged in this tournament as a particularly gifted archer. Karna arrived at the tournament and after surpassing Arjuna's feats, challenged him to a duel. Bhishma and Drona recognized Karna's bow which had been gifted by Parashurama called Vijaya(pinakin). They realised that the boy was no ordinary Warrior and if wanted could kill a thousand devas at one go. Now it would be a real insult to all of them if their royal prince would loose to a mere low caste. They had to play politics. They told Kripacharya to intervene. Then Kripacharya refused Karna his duel, asking first for his clan and kingdom - according to the rules of dueling, only a prince may challenge Arjuna who is a prince of the Kuru house. Duryodhana, the oldest of the Kauravas, offers Karna the throne of Anga (today's Bhagalpur in Bihar), so that Karna would be a king and thus be more than eligible to duel his cousin. When Karna, who is emotionally overcome at this, asks him what he can do to repay him, Duryodhana tells him all he wants is his friendship. "I want your heart" he tells Karna, to which Karna says it is already his.
This event establishes key relationships in the Mahābhārata, namely, the strong bond between Duryodhana and Karna, the intense rivalry between Karna and Arjuna, and the enmity in general between the Pandavas as a whole and Karna.
Karna is spoken of as a loyal and true friend to Duryodhana. While he was later party to the infamous game of dice to please Duryodhana, he was opposed to it to begin with. Karna disliked Shakuni, and advised Duryodhana continuously to use his prowess and skill to defeat his enemies, rather than deceit and trickery. When the attempt to kill the Pandavas in the house of lac fails, Karna chides Duryodhana in his despondence, telling him the ways of cowards are doomed to failure and exhorting him to be a warrior and obtain what he wants through valour.
As a king, warrior and friend of Duryodhana, Karna became part of the Hastinapura court. He went on to repeat Bheeshma's actions in bringing the princesses of Kashi to Duryodhana as wives, appearing at the Kashi court, seizing the princesses, and challenging the kings and princes to take them from him if they can.
Another instance was when Karna aided Duryodhana in marrying the princess of Chitragandha (not to be confused with Princess Chitrangada of Manipur). In her swayamvar, the princess rejected Duryodhana, who subsequently carried her away by force. The other kings present at the swayamvar pursued Duryodhana. However, Karna defeated them single handedly. Among the kings present in the princess of Chitragandha's swayamvar were Jarasandha, Shishupala, Dantavakra and Rukmi. As a token of his appreciation, Jarasandha gifted Karna a portion of Magadha.
==Generosity==
Karna was renowned in all the worlds for his generosity, surpassing even the Gods. Following his appointment as king, he took an oath : Anyone who approached him with a request at midday, when he would worship the Sun, would go away with his request fulfilled. He would never let anyone leave empty-handed. This practice contributed to Karna's fame as well as to his downfall, as Indra and Kunti took advantage of it.
==Other Qualities==
He had all the qualities of the five Pandavas. Always went by the Law like the nobel Yudhishthira, Strong like Bhima, Skillful like Árjuna, handsome like Nakula and wise like Sahadeva. Karna had all the qualities of a king.
One such tale of his nobel deeds is when Duryódhana came to Know that the man he hated most Bhima had a son, namely Ghatotkach. Ghatotkach who would surpass everyone and excell in all fields. Duryódhana feared that this young lad would single handedly win the war for the pandavas. On uncle Shakuni's promting Duryódhana raised his mace to kill the boy while the young lad was praying. However Karna raised his bow and arrow. His arrow came flying and hit Duryódhana's mace. Hearing the thunder like sound Ghatotkach got up. He was very angry and challanged Duryódhana upfront. Duryódhana said in this case my eyes will search you first in the great war.
Then Karna spoke "Dear friend I want you to be the King of this Kingdom. Killing someone who was praying would be a very unkingly like behavior. History would say my friend killed a little lad unarmed and unaware. How could I allow this to happen?
Duryódhana realised his mistake and said sorry to the young boy. Karna said go and apologise to Bhima too. and Duryódhana did exactly that.
==The Swayamvara of Draupadi==
Karna was one of the suitor for Draupadi at the famed swayamvar. Unlike most other contenders, he was easily able to wield and string the bow, but as he was ready to set aim, on Krishna's gesture, Draupadi refrained him from shooting the arrow by calling him a soot-putra (son of a charioteer).
The Pandavas were also present in the swayamvara, disguised as brahmanas. Following the failure of the other princes, Arjuna stepped into the ring and successfully tackled the target, winning Draupadi's hand. When Arjuna's identity is later revealed, Karna's feelings of rivalry further intensify
==The Game of Dice==
Karna was never happy with Shakuni's plan to defeat the Pandavas by trickery and deceit. He preferred the way of battle and repeatedly cajoled Duryodhana to choose that path. To please Duryodhana, however, he chose to be a part of the game, leading to the disturbing Cheer-haran scene.
After Shakuni had won the game of dice by trickery, the Pandavas' queen [[Draupadi]] was dragged into the court by Duhsassana who attempted to strip her, incited by Karna, Duryodhana and his wicked brothers. Karna calls Draupadi a "whore", and goes as far as to say that whores have no rights so it would not be wrong to bring her nude in front of everyone.
On the spot, Bhima vows that he will personally slaughter Duryodhana and his brothers in battle. Arjuna subsequently swears to kill Karna.
==Military Campaign==
During the Pandavas' exile, Karna took upon himself the task of establishing Duryodhana as the World Emperor. Karna commanded an army to different parts of the country to subjugate kings and made them swear allegiance to Duryodhana, the king of [[Hastinapura]] or else die in battle. Karna succeeded in all the battles. In this military adventure, Karna is stated to have waged wars and reduced to submission numerous kingdoms including those of the [[Kambojas]], the [[Shakas]], the [[Kekayas]], the Avantyas, the [[Gandhara]]s, the [[Madra|Madarakas]], the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the [[Panchala]]s, the Videhas, the Suhmas, the [[Anga]]s, the [[Vanga]]s, the Nishadas, the [[Kalinga]]s, the Vatsa, the[[Asmaka Kingdom|Ashmakas]], the [[Rishikas]] (i.e south-western Rishikas located in [[Maharashtra]]) and numerous others including [[mlecchas]] and the forest tribes (MBH 8.8.18-20).
==The Dialog with Drona==
As the Kuru army was getting ready to face the Pandavas, Karna walked up to Drona and said I came to you and asked you if you would become my Guru. But you refused just because I was a Low caste. Knowledge is not bound to one set of people but it is open to all who are intrested and capable to learn. Good you did not expect me as my your student cause you always favored Arjun and would never let me surpass him. This world will witness and remember this great war forever.
Luck has never been on my side and I have been cursed by my mighty Guru. Yet I have the heart to come and perform against your student, who has the backing and blessing of all the Devas, Bishma and you yourself. History will tell who was the best Bow man of this era.
Listening to this the diplomatic brahmin, well versed in politics said "you are correct Knowledge is not bound to any community and is open to all who are capable and intrested to learn.
However the school you came was only for brahmins and high princley kshatriyas. As far as Arjun surpassing you or vise-versa depends only on the individuals capability and intrest. If one is intersted he can go beyond any frointeer and no Guru can stop him. And you are the biggest example of that because you surpassed your mighty guru.
You did not have the facilities of a prince still you did not loose heart and flowed your passion. Today I say you are in the same league of my best student Arjun, and the world shoud not loose either of you stop this war if you can by talking to your dearst friend. I say this not to save my student but I say this cause who ever Lord Krishna backs always wins".
==Karna is overjoyed when Lord Krishna comes to his door==
Krishna tried to avoid war till the very end. He decided to go and talk to the Kuru elders.
But a stubbon Duryódhana was impossible to convince. Krishna relaised that Duryódhana was riding on Karna to Win the war for him.
Krishna went to Karna's house. On seeing the Lord himself Karna was overwelmed. Krishna told him the whole story of his birth and said come with me I will give you five powerful brothers and Make you king. Karna replied and said I am in depth of Duryódhana's salt and love. Betraying him is against my dharma. I would rather die for him. Krishna said I was expecting a similar answer. Do as your dharma tells you.
Karna said if you are on their side they are sure to defeat us. I know this but still decide to stay with my beloved friend. You have defeated me even before the war has started by telling me the secret of my birth Krishna smiled blessed him and left
==The Loss of his Armour==
[[Indra]], king of the gods ([[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]]) and father of [[Arjuna]], realized that Karna would be invincible in battle as long as he had the golden armour suit and earrings that he was born with. During the Pandavas' exile, when war was imminent, Indra took it upon himself to weaken Karna. He decided to approach Karna as a poor brahmin during his mid-day worship. He knew of Karna's moral policy and that he would never refuse any request of a Brahmin or beggar at that time of the day. Karna's father, the Sun god [[Surya]], informed Karna in a dream that [[Indra]] would disguise himself as a beggar and ask for Karna's armour and earrings as alms. Surya exhorted him not to give away his protection. Karna, who did not know that [[Surya]] was his father, does not heed the warning. As Surya had predicted, a disguised Indra approached Karna and asked for his kavacha (body armour) and kundala (earrings) as alms. Karna, despite knowing that the armour and earrings were his protection, readily gives them away. In fact, he cuts off his birthsuit armour and earrings from his body without flinching. Indra, shamed into generosity by Karna's gesture, reciprocates by giving Karna the boon to use Indra's most powerful weapon, the [[Vasavi shakti]], but only once.
==Kunti and Karna==
Kunti, fearing the war, approached Karna and revealed her identity as his mother to him. The two share a touching moment together, when she tells him to throw aside the name 'Radheya' and call himself 'Kaunteya' (Kunti's firstborn) instead, and he replies that that is the day he has wanted all his life. Upon her requesting him to come with her however, a request that Surya Himself reinforces from the sky, Karna refuses. He tells Kunti, that, had she been willing to call him Kaunteya many years ago, when he appeared at the tournament, things might have been different, but now it is too late. He owes Duryodhana too much, is Duryodhana's friend first and foremost, and must fight the Pandavas. However, he promises her that he will not kill any of the five, save Arjuna. He and Arjuna have sworn to kill each other, and one of them must die. He tells Kunti she can only dream of six sons. She will always have five sons, either him or Arjuna. He agrees to Kunti that he will use naga-astram only once against Arjuna.
Karna requests his mother to keep their relationship and his royal birth heritage a secret until his death. Only then she may reveal to the world that he was actually her first born.
==The Great War: Kurukshetra==
[[Image:Karna-kl.jpg|thumb|Karna in Javanese [[Wayang]]]]
Before the start of the war, [[Bhishma]], the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava force, does not pick Karna as one of his key generals and instead assigns him to a less significant position (to curb his undue hatred of the Pandavas). Insulted, Karna rebels against Bhishma, and refuses to fight under Bhishma's authority. He is aghast when Duryodhana does not intervene to reinstate him. Duryodhana, the astute politician that he is, knows fully well the advantage of having Bhishma on his side even though the grand patriarch of all the warriors, undefeated for several generations, has openly declared that the Pandavas are also dear to him and that he would not kill them.
Karna only enters the battlefield on the 11th day, after Bhishma was struck down the previous day. It is also interesting to note that he does not capture any of the Pandavas even though he had defeated them and had the opportunity of doing so.
==Karna visits Bishma==
When Karna Heard that Bhishma lay wounded and dying, Karna hurried to the place and fell at his feet and said: "Eldest of the race. Radha's son, who, through no fault of his, incurred your great displeasure, humbly prostrates him self before you."
When after humble salutation Karna stood up, the grand sire, greatly moved, tenderly placed his hand on Karna's head and blessed him.
"You are not Radha's son," he said in loving tones: "You are Kuntidevi's own first born. Narada, revealed this to me.
Son of Surya, I d'ont dislike you. But I was grieved to see your increasing hatred of the Pandavas. I know and admire your valour and your open handed- ness, and I know also that you belong to the class of Phalguna and Krishna in prowses.
II respect you because you are brave join hahds with the Pandavas. That is the right path for you. I have finised my duties in this war, may the chapter of your enmity also close. This is my wish, Karna."
Karna heard very respectfully andrespectfully and then replied: "I know I am Kunti's son, and not charioteer-born. I am in depth of Duryodhana's love and friendship and must be true to him, to be true to my own lineage. It is not possible for me to go over to the Pandavas now. You must permit me to repay with my life, if it so be the debt I owe to Duryodhana for his love and trust. I have erred greatly in word and deed. You must forgive me for it all and give me your blessings."
The great acharya, who knew all the laws of right conduct, what Karna said, and replied: "Do reflected for a while on then as you wish, for that is the right way."
Kaurava warriors said "O Karna, you are the one left to lead and protect us."
The Kaurava warriors felt that, if but Karna would agree to take up the command, victory was certain. During the first tendays when Bhishma led the forces, the son of Surya kept away from the battle.
As already narrated, deeply hurt at the grandsire's contumely, Karna had said:"So long as you are up fighting, I shall keep aloof. If you slay the Pandavas and bring victory to Duryodhana, I shall beglad; and I shall then, taking the king's leave, go to the forest.
But, if you be defeated and go to the abode of the brave, I who am not deemed by you as an adhiratha* will ride my chariot and oppose those whom you deem to be of greater prowess than myself and, defeating them, bring victory to Duryo- dhana."
Thus had Karna sworn and, with Duryo- dhana's consent, kept aloof from the battle during the first ten days. Now he went on foot to Bhishma who lay on his bed of arrows waiting for his end and, saluting him, addressed him thus: as vanquisher of Parasu- rama, you lie on the field of battle, struck down by Sikhandin. If you, who had reached the summit of right living and were an embodiment of purity itself, must lie wounded in this manner, it is clear that no one can attain in this world what he deserves by his merit.
You were the one boat on which the Kau- rava princes depended for crossing the flood of their troubles. Heavy indeed will be the blows which the Pandavas will now deal at the Kauravas and great will be their consequent distress.
Like fire and wind burning down the forest, Arjuna and Krishna will destroy the army of Kauravas. This is certain. Turn your gracious eyes on me and bless me, who have accepted the command of the forces."
Bhishma gave his blessings to Karna."You are like the good earth to the seeds, like rain clouds to living beings, ever depend- able, firm in your loyalty. ServeDuryodhana and save him.You vanquished the Kambo- jas for him. You put down the Kiratas of the Himalayan fastnesses for him.
You fought the Girivrajas on his behalf and defeated them. Many more things you have accomplished for him. Take charge of the Kaurava army now as your own rich possession and guard it well. May you lead Duryodhana's forces to success! May you have every good fortune! Fight your enemies, go."
Karna, having received the benediction of the grandsire, mounted his chariot and rode to the battlefield. When the valorous Karna entered the field on his war chariot, Duryodhana's joys knew no bounds. His sorrow, at having lost Bhishma, was in some degree alleviated.
===The thirteenth day===
On the thirteenth day of the battle, Dronacharya (Drona) organized a special formation for the phalanxes called the [[Chakravyuha]]/Padmavyuha. (Chakravyuh and Padmavyuha are 2 different military formations. While Chakravyuh denotes a circular arrangement, '''Padmavyuh means a lotus formation'''). Only Krishna and Arjuna on the Pandavas' side knew how to break the scheme; however both were purposely taken away from the battle field by two kings on Duryodhana's side. [[Abhimanyu]], Arjuna's son had partial knowledge of the formation having heard it when he was in his mother's womb when Arjuna, his father, was narrating the Chakravyuha arrangement to his mother, Subhadra, but could not hear all the information as his mother fell asleep in Arjuna's lap. Hence he could enter the [[Chakravyuha]], but did not know how to exit it correctly (though he COULD exit it by destroying it). It was decided that Abhimanyu would lead the Pandavas into the Chakravyuha and then they would fight their way out. No one that day was able to defeat Abhimanyu, who had entered the [[Chakravyuha]] a circular arrangement of soldiers. But [[Jayadratha]], a king in the Kaurava army, prevented the other Pandavas from entering the formation. Abhimanyu was left all alone in the middle of the enemy formation. Once inside, he fought valiantly and single handedly defeated almost all reputed generals of the Kauravas including Karna, Drona and Duryodhana. Duryodhana and Karna chose to assist to eliminate Abhimanyu as per the instructions of Drona. Karna shot arrows that broke Abhimanyu's bow and the reins of his chariot, while the Kauravas overwhelmed him. The battle ends with Abhimanyu's death. His father, Arjuna takes up a terrible pledge to kill [[Jayadratha]] the next day before the sunset, or he would sacrifice his own life by self-immolation.
===The night of the 14th day===
On the fourteenth day, the battle uncharacteristically spilled over into the night and [[Ghatotkacha]], the half-asura son of the Pandava [[Bhima]] began decimating the Kaurava forces (Asuras became extraordinarily powerful at night). Duryodhana and Karna bravely stood and fought with him. Finally when it seemed that Ghatotkacha would decimate all the Kaurava forces that very night, Duryodhana requested Karna to salvage the situation.Thus,he was forced to use the Shakti weapon on Ghatotkacha. This had been granted to him by Indra as a mark of respect for his peerless generosity. However, Indra allowed Karna to use the weapon only once, after which it would return to Indra.
Karna was now without that weapon and his impregnable armour and earrings. Now Karna did not have a divine weapon that was a serious threat to Arjuna and would have to rely primarily on his skills and prowess to take on Arjuna, who was equipped with a wider range of divine weaponry.
Still, Karna knew that he must face Arjuna in battle and one of the two would certainly die.
===Death of Dronacharya===
On the fifteenth day of battle, Dronacharya, the guru of the warriors on both sides, is killed by unfair means. Yudishtra, who could not tell a lie, names an elephant ashwathatmma, the son of Drona and kills the elephant. He then announces that Ashwathama, the elephant has been killed, with the word elephant drowned out. Drona is killed in his sorrow and Karna is appointed as the commander-and-chief of the Kaurava forces. In individual confrontations on the battlefield, Karna defeats all the Pandavas, except Arjuna, but chooses to spare their lives, keeping his promise to his mother Kunti.
===Exhibition of his skill and class===
After he defeats Nakula he turns to the Panchals and creats Havoc in their ranks. He kills thousands of them and their animals displaying great skill. He is at his best before the 17th day were he would forget the mantars of the mighty Parshuram.
===The night before he was killed===
On the 16th day, in the evening Karna and Arjuna came face to face for a little cameo. Both had suitable answers to the arrows shot at each other. Looking at Karnas class. Arjuna said "he is only a soot-putra (son of a charioteer) but he fights like a ksharitya king, it is hard to believe my eyes".
Krishna smiled and said you the best left-handed bowman in the Universe is fighting the best right handed bowman in the Universe. How can you think all of this?
On the other side Karna said to him self "how well my brother displays his skill he is supreme. All of a sudden Karna shot an arrow that pierced Arjuns hands Karna could have killed him at that very moment but he says "the sun has set lets fight tomorrow".
Why did he do this nobody knows? Weather he wanted to show that he follows the rules, or Karna does not fight when the sunsets.
At night Duryódhana says one more day and Arjun still lives!
Karna says it is krishnas skill the protects him but I will kill him tomorrow. As he put his head to bed, he said I must figth all Arjunas brothers including Yudhishthira and defeat them but not kill them Kuntidevi must know that I kept my promise.I must try and kill Arjuna tomorrow but with Krishha on his side I have very little chance. But I will give my best shot for my nobel friend Duryódhana who loves me most with my mother Radha.
How I longed for love and recognition from my mother Kunti, when everybody insulted me. I will never forget mother Radha and Duryódhana. These last thoughts put him to sleep.
He than had a dream, he thought of his guru (Parashurama)and asked him to take back the curse he had warranted years back. "My Guru my Lord I am not afraid to die but I don't want to loose to my arch-enemy Arjuna. Lord! you deep within know I am better than him. Oh Lord please take this curse back I have waited for this Battle for years If I win I will give up everything and go to the woods Arjuna has every weapon in his Armory given to him by all the devas, I only have your great weapons including the deadly Bhramastra. If I forget your mantras How will I use them. I will have to depend on my sherskill. He has Krishnas blessing which means the entire Universe I only have your mantars Parashurama said son and then explained that he knew that the day would come; he knew that Karna was a Kshatriya[citation needed], but deemed him to be a worthy student. But, the result of this war would bring the world in ruins if Duryodhana ruled it, as compared to Yudhishthira. So,Parashurama requested Karna accept the curse and fall at the hands of Arjuna, inadvertently saving the world. But Parashurama said you will always be known as a better Bowman
===The Seventeenth day===
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Karna.jpg|frame|right|Karna attempting to pull out his mired chariot wheel]] -->
Before seventeenth day Karna fought with all four pandavas except Arjuna, defeated them but didn't kill them just to keep promise made with Kunti. On the seventeenth day of battle, the much anticipated confrontation between Karna and Arjuna finally takes place. They were evenly matched during the spectacular combat. Karna had been gifted a bow by Parashurama called Vijaya(pinakin), one designed by Vishwakarma himself. At Duryodhana's request, Shalya, who was a maternal uncle to Pandavas, reluctantly agreed to drive Karna's chariot, hence he had a charioteer to equal Krishna (Shalya had mastered the Ashwahridaya - "Art of Horses").
Without the Shakti weapon, Karna had no particular way to kill Arjuna. He had to rely upon his own garnered skill. In a wondrous, intense display of amazing archery, valour and courage, Karna and Arjuna engaged and exhausted all their brilliance, knowledge and passion.
During the battle, when Arjuna's arrows struck Karna's chariot, it moved back by several feet. However, when Karna's arrows struck Arjuna's chariot, it moved back only by a few inches. Upon this, Arjuna asked Krishna as to why Karna's arrows had such a mild effect on his chariot, unlike the effect that his arrows had on Karna's chariot. In response, Krishna told Arjuna that Karna's chariot is bearing only the weight of Karna and Shalya, whereas Arjuna's chariot was bearing the weight of the entire universe (since Krishna and Hanuman with a mountain on his hand were on the chariot), yet Karna was able to move it by inches. If Hanuman and I were not present, this chariot would move back out of the battle field.
Karna devised an intelligent strategy based upon his personal prowess. He stunned Arjuna with a powerful volley of arrows that struck his chest. And the instant in which Arjuna was dazzled, Karna let loose another powerful volley intended at killing his powerful foe. King [[Shalya]] of [[Madra Kingdom|Madra]], Karna's charioteer (Shalya, who was the uncle of [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]], had been tricked into fighting on the Kaurava side, but had promised [[Yudhisthira]] that he would not allow Karna to kill Arjuna), told Karna to play safe by aiming the {naga-astram} arrow at Arjuna's chest. However, Karna refused to heed that advice and aimed the arrow at Arjuna's head. But Lord [[Krishna]] came to his friend and devotee's rescue, and made the horses pulling the chariot bend their knees, causing the chariot to sink towards the front and the fatal arrow to miss Arjuna by a few miserable inches and strike Arjuna's crown instead.
As sunset was due Karna started getting weak, one of Karna's chariot wheels got stuck in loose soil, apparently because of a curse put on Karna by a Brahmin whose cow Karna had mistakenly killed. King Shalya, who was his charioteer, refused to get down and remove the wheel from the mud . Hence Karna asked Arjuna to disengage in combat, while he got off his chariot and removed the wheel from the mud. Arjuna agreed. But Krishna recalled Karna's previous lapses in honourable conduct and ordered Arjuna to shoot at Karna while he was attempting to lift his wheel out of the mud. The chariot wheel remained stuck and the curse of Parashurama ensured that Karna could not recall the mantras necessary to unleash the more powerful weapons of mass destruction - The Brahmastra. Krishna reminds Arjuna of Karna's ruthlessness against Abhimanyu when Abhimanyu was similarly left without a chariot or weapons.
All of Arjuna's tears, pain and anger swelled up within him as he aimed the fatal shaft ''Anjalika'' at a desperate Karna and beheaded him.
==After Karna's death==
After Karna's death, Kunti informed the Pandavas that she was Karna's mother and that he was the eldest of the Pandavas. The Pandavas grieved for Karna. Yudhisthira, particularly, was incensed on hearing that his mother had kept secret from him and his brothers Karna's true identity, whom it would have been their duty in life to serve and revere as their elder, as his four brothers had served and revered him. He cursed all women, stating that henceforth they would never be able to keep a secret.
There was an argument between Arjuna and Duryodhana as to who will put fire to Karna's dead body. Arjuna claimed that since he was Karna's brother, he deserved to be worthy of the task. However, Duryodhana claimed that Arjuna never knew that he was Karna's brother and never treated him like one, because they were always under constant rivalry. Since Duryodhana was Karna's true friend and since Karna had himself sided with Duryodhana instead of Arjuna and the Pandavas, he claimed right to do the deed himself. During this argument, Lord Krishna intervened and advised Arjuna to step back because Duryodhana deserved to give the last respects to Karna, being his true friend.
Karna remains a tragic figure for millions of Hindus and Indians to this day. He remains a brave hero, a courageous spirit who braved impossible odds in his whole life, and died with terrific courage, valor and honor, to rise to immortality in fame. He is especially famous for his generosity. He is also an example of misjudgement and how that renders all the fine qualities of an individual futile.
The city of Karnal in Haryana, near Kurukshetra, is named after Karna.
==Contrast with Arjuna==
There are many parallels between Arjuna and Karna. Both were master archers, and competed for Draupadi's hand. A deeper connection lies in the fact that the two felt strong ties to the Kaurava side, both through friendship and through blood. Karna's ride with Krishna is very similar to the Sacred [[Bhagavad Gita]], in which Krishna reminded Arjuna of his duty. Their decisions, along with the consequences to themselves and their families, are used to emphasize the importance of following duty, as Krishna expounded.
Karna serves as an excellent example of a gifted, righteous and brave individual who was still doomed because of his loyalty towards the evil Duryodhana. Karna's blind affection for Duryodhana led him to, albeit unwillingly, assist his dear friend in all his immoral and unjust actions against the Pandavas. Karna was aware of Duryodhana's malicious plans against the Pandavas. Karna was also aware of his own imminent downfall for assisting the evil against the good. The blemish to his name is his treatment of Draupadi, and his role in the killing of the unarmed and outnumbered Abhimanyu.
==Karna in Popular Culture==
Movies about or involving Karna include [[Daana Veera Soora Karna]] (Telugu, 1977), Karna (Tamil, 1963, staring [[Shivaji Ganesan]]).
The Indian poet [[Sharanya Manivannan]] <ref>http://ochreastheearth.blogspot.com/2007/05/karnas-vessel.html</ref> works with a character named Karna, based and borrowed from the Mahābhārata, but who she approaches as a female and self-archetype. She has called her approach a kind of <ref>http://ochreastheearth.blogspot.com/2007/05/in-conversation-interviewed-by-nicholas.html</ref> "biomythography".
== References ==
* Rashmirathi<ref>http://hi.literature.wikia.com/wiki/%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%80_/_%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9_%22%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%22</ref> (The Sun Charioteer) by [[Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar']] - A Poetic rendering of Karna's life, his dharma, his friendship and the tragedies (in Hindi)
* Sawant, Shivaji (author), "Mrityunjaya". {English Version: "Mrityunjaya, the death conqueror: The story of Karna" - ISBN 81-7189-002-4}
* 'The Mahabharata' by Smt. Kamala Subramaniam, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Press.
* '''Shri Krishna''',T.V Serial by the Late Shri '''Ramanand Sagar'''.
== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Mahābhārata}}
[[Category:Characters in the Mahābhārata]]
[[bn:কর্ণ (মহাভারত)]]
[[es:Karna]]
[[id:Karna]]
[[jv:Karna]]
[[ml:കര്ണ്ണന്]]
[[mr:कर्ण]]
[[ja:カルナ]]
[[th:กรรณะ]]