It is well-known that for her devoted service, Rishi Durvasa gave Kunti a mantra to conceive. A curious Kunti invoked Surya (solar demigod). When Surya appeared, she apologized, but he replied that the mantra would have its effect. But she would remain a virgin as he would use yogic powers. Thus, she birthed a boy with a kavacha (shield) and kundala (earrings) which made him immortal till he wore them. Worried about the world, a tearful Kunti abandoned him in a river. Downstream of River Ganga at Champa, Suta clan’s chief Adiratha and his wife Radha found him. Kunti learnt about this through her spies and felt some relief.
Shree Krishna was born in a prison, and he too was abandoned by his parents due to the circumstances. Right after his birth in Gokula itself, he faced the life-threatening Pootana, Trinavarta, and Shakata. In Vrindavana too, he faced many Asura-s. But he never lamented about his conditions. With his righteous behaviour, he set an example for the world to follow. This was unlike Karna who always carried a feeling that injustice was done to him.
Just like the Pandava-s and Kaurava-s, Karna too in his youth also learnt many martial skills from Drona. There, Karna frequently defied Arjuna who ignored the provocations. Karna then approached God Parashurama for higher knowledge. Since he disliked Kshatriya-s, Karna lied to him that he was a Brahmana and became his disciple.
Parashurama taught Karna the mantras for firing a Brahmastra and its withdrawal. Once, Parashurama was resting with his head on his disciple’s lap. A big insect started biting Karna’s thigh. Despite intense pain, Karna did not move as he did not want to disturb his Guru’s sleep. When Parashurama woke up and saw Karna’s thigh, he got furious because no Brahmana could tolerate such a lot of pain. For the lie, he cursed Karna that he would forget the celestial weapon’s knowledge gained through him when he needed it the most. When Karna apologized, Parashurama gave him Vishwakarma’s celestial Vijaya bow and a boon of everlasting fame. The dejected Karna moved away from his Guru’s ashrama.
Once, while practising his skills, Karna accidentally killed an innocent cow. The cow was the only support of the Brahmana owner. He cursed Karna to die in the most helpless condition while having his chariot wheel stuck in the earth.
Both these curses would fructify at the destined time.
Karna had become friends with Duryodhana who made him the king of Anga. Duryodhana, with his brother Dushasana, his devious maternal uncle Shakuni, and Karna hatched a sinister plot to burn the Pandava-s alive in a Lakshya-griha. They failed, and the Pandava-s ended up hiding in the forests. After a while, they attended Draupadi’s swayamvara. There, Draupadi said no to Karna, exercising her right of self-choice. She may have known that Karna had abducted Kalinga’s Princess Bhanumati for Duryodhana though she had rejected him during her swayamvara. It is a grave offense for a man to marry against a lady’s wishes. Meanwhile, Arjuna won the hand of Draupadi.
Back in Hastinapura, Duryodhana and Karna discussed with Dhritarashtra different strategies for harming the Pandava-s. Karna recommended an all-out war, but a cautious Dhritarashtra called a meeting. Bheeshma and Drona advised that the kingdom should be divided into 2 halves. When Karna disagreed, Drona called him a person of wicked understanding. Vidura advised Dhritarashtra to listen to Bheeshma and Drona, and thus the Pandava-s got a desolate area where they built Indraprastha.
The opulence of the Pandava-s caused immense jealousy and grief to Duryodhana. Back in Hastinapura, he convinced his blind father to arrange a gambling match against Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira was duped into losing his kingdom, his brothers, himself and even his wife. Dushasana dragged the sobbing Draupadi to the assembly, and called her “daasi, daasi.” His sinister laughter was joined by Karna’s sarcastic roar of approval.
Duryodhana’s younger brother Vikarna supported Draupadi’s explanation that after Yudhishthira lost his independence, how could he place more bets? Also, Shakuni had tricked Yudhishthira into staking his wife, hence the last bet was illegal. There was a huge roar of approval in the assembly. An angry Karna counter-argued that her 5 husbands remained quiet because Yudhishthira specifically bet her in the game. He called Vikarna an immature prince. The vicious Karna then told Dushasana to disrobe the Pandava-s and her too. The 5 submissive brothers removed their upper garments.
As the evil Dushasana started to disrobe Draupadi, Krishna responded to his devotee Draupadi’s fervent prayer and provided an endless chain of clothes. A tired and censured Dushasana sat down next to the huge pile of clothes. Karna then told Dushasana to take Draupadi to the servant’s quarters. The malicious Karna also advised Draupadi to choose another husband as the Pandava-s were now in servitude.
Vidura lamented that the sinful behaviour against a lady meant the destruction of the Kaurava-s was inevitable. At that time, there were many inauspicious omens. Dhritarashtra pacified Draupadi and granted them freedom and their kingdom back.
Upset Duryodhana, Dushasana, Shakuni, and Karna, met Dhritarashtra. They misguided him that the Pandava-s were assembling their army. The Pandava-s were called back for a re-match and they ended up getting a 13 years exile. Bhima reiterated that he will kill Duryodhana and Dushasana. He wanted Arjuna to annihilate Karna, and Sahadeva to slaughter Shakuni. Arjuna agreed to do so if Duryodhana did not give back their kingdom in the 14th year.
While the Pandava-s were in exile, Duryodhana, Karna and the others went to the forest to show off their prosperity and cause them more misery. There they encountered the Gandharva-s who defeated them. As Karna had fled the area, he felt embarrassed and took a vow to give whatever is asked for.
Surya appeared in his manas putra Karna’s dream to warn him that Indra will try to take away his kavacha and kundala. Karna replied that he would fulfil his promise to gain fame. Surya asked what he will do with a stellar reputation if he was no longer alive. Karna replied he can give up his life for widespread recognition. A helpless Surya advised him to ask Indra for his Shakti-astra, a celestial weapon that has no equal, and left. A little later as expected, Indra came and Karna agreed to the deal. He gave away his strengths for fame, much to the horror of the Kaurava-s.
After the exile term, Krishna reached Matsya and said his relationship with both the Pandava-s and Kaurava-s is equal, and peace must be given the highest preference. Accordingly, a priest was sent to Hastinapura where he asked for their kingdom on their behalf. When Karna rebuked the experienced Brahmana, Dhritarashtra intervened and said they will discuss the matter and revert. The wise Prime Minister Vidura advised peace to the blind king in private. He added that wicked advisors like Shakuni and Karna can destroy all prosperity. The next morning, all the chiefs met in the royal court. When Karna started to boast again, Bheeshma reminded him how he ran away from the forest and Matsya. When Bheeshma rebuked him again, Karna took a vow to abstain from fighting till the grandsire was on the battlefield.
Krishna himself travelled all the way to Hastinapura to avoid a fatal war and asked for a mere 5 villages. An adamant Duryodhana refused to part even with the land that would be covered under the tip of a needle.
Krishna left the assembly and then met Karna. He disclosed the background of Karna’s birth and said he can become the king as he was older than Yudhishthira. Karna refused out of respect for his friend Duryodhana, and self-pride. Karna requested Krishna not to disclose this secret as Yudhishthira would hand over his claim to him as per Dharma. Karna would then give the kingdom to Duryodhana. Karna repented his harsh words and wicked conduct but wished that all the brave warriors meet sadgati in the holy Kurukshetra. Krishna then departed Hastinapura.
Kunti also approached Karna to avoid the large-scale destruction. Karna replied that by abandoning him she had done greater harm to him than any enemy. He said he cannot desert the Kaurava-s for personal gains. Karna promised her that she will remain a mother of 5, but either he or Arjuna will have to perish in battle. She embraced an unmoved Karna, and they disbursed in opposite directions.
Before the war in the Kaurava camp, Bheeshma analysed their strength and weaknesses as well as those of their opponents. Bheeshma said he can destroy the entire Pandava army in 1 month. Drona made a similar claim. Kripa said he would need 2 months, whereas Karna bragged about completing the job in 5 days. It is well-known how the war ended.
This article is an excerpt from the book ‘Mahabharata: A World War’ by Gaurang Damani. The book is available at Padhega India and other online stores.
This article first appeared on the Hindu Post website.