The Untold Story of Karna: 7 Facts That Will Surprise You

Karna was the eldest son of Kunti. He was born with blessings of Lord Surya before Kunti was wedded, so Kunti did not raise him. He, being the eldest and most deserving, had to live his life in obscurity. The only fault was his timing of birth, where he had no control over. Read some of the fate’s cruelty imparted to him.

The curse of Parshurama

Parashurama, an incarnation of Vishnu, loathed Kshatriyas and refused to teach them archery. Undeterred, Karna lied about his lineage to gain knowledge from the great warrior. One afternoon, seeking rest under a tree, Parashurama requested a pillow. Karna, in a gesture of utmost devotion, offered his own lap as a headrest. While Parashurama slept soundly, a giant bee stung Karna’s thigh. Despite the searing pain, Karna remained perfectly still, unwilling to disturb his teacher’s slumber. The excruciating sting worsened, and blood began to flow from the wound. This, finally, roused Parashurama from his sleep.

Then Parashurama deduced at once that Karna is a kshatriya and not a Brahmin because a brahmin  can not endure such pain. So, he cursed him that all his martial skill including use of Brahmastra would desert him when he needed them most.This meant that he would forget all that he had learned from Parashurama during his hours of crisis. He was unaware of his royal lineage pleaded that any student in his place would do the same and he was son of Vasusena,  a mere charioteer and not a kshatriya.

Though Parashurama regretted cursing him in a moment of anger as his curse was irrevocable. He gifted him a celestial weapon Bhargavastra along with his personal bow called Vijaya and blessed him with everlasting glory and immortal fame.

Karna kills a cow accidentally

Departing from Parashuram’s ashram he wandered for some time. On his way he killed a cow that was rushing towards him by shooting an arrow. Incensed by this incident, the brahmin who owned the cow cursed. He said as he had killed a helpless animal, he too would be killed in the same way i.e. when he was most helpless with his concentration being diverted away from his enemy at that crucial moment.

Curse by Bhoomi Devi

Once he was riding his chariot in his kingdom of Anga. He encountered a child who was crying over her pot of spilt ghee. On asking her reason, she stated that she feared her step mother would be angry over her carelessness.  Being generous enough he told her that he would give her new ghee. But the child insisted that she wanted only the ghee which was mixed with the soil and refused to take new ghee. Taking pity on the girl, took the soil mixed with ghee in his fist and squeezed it with all his might to extract the ghee and pour it back into the pot.During this process, Karna heard the agonised voice of a  women. When he opened his fist he realised it was voice of Bhoomidevi, furious Bhoomidevi chastised him for inflicting enormous pain for sake of mere child so, she cursed him that in a very crucial battle of life she would trap his chariot wheel in the same way that he held the fistful of soil.

Thus he was cursed on three separate and independent occasions. Unfortunately, each of these curses became operational at the same crucial moment in the kurukshetra war thus making him weapon less, left without chariot and helpless. These three curses are the main reason of his fall.

Generous Karna

On the eve of Mahabharat battle, Lord Indra disguised as an old Brahamin went to him and asked for his Kavach and Kundal in daan (alms) Indra asked for this gift so as to reduce his strength, as he was  apprehensive that Karna by virtue of his phenomenal skill as a warrior would defeat Arjuna. Karna was being cautioned by by Sun God about such move of Lord Indra. But he was so large hearted that he could not refuse anyone and inspite of knowing that Indra is playing a trick he parted his kawach and kundal, which were part of his body since birth and made him invincible. Indra was pleased with his generosity and granted him a vardan (boon). Karna asked for his weapon shakti which can destroy any enemy Indra granted him that on a condition that he can use it only once.

When Karna was on his death bed, Lord Indra and Surya had a dispute regarding his generosity. To settle this they disguise as a beggar and asked for alms. He responded that he had nothing left with him for them. The beggar replied that he had some gold on his tooth which would be valuable for them. On realizing this fact, he took a stone and broke his tooth and gave it to beggar, epitomizing the ‘way of life’ he led.

Karna’s promise to Kunti

As the war approached Kunti met his son to reveal his true identity. Kunti asked him to join Pandavas and become king. He stated that he can’t betray his friend Duryodhan. However he promised that he would not attempt to kill any of the Pandavas except Arjuna. He knew very well that Arjun is under the divine aegis of lord Krishna and hence invincible. This way he would be able to pay off Duryodhan’s debt while performing the duties of elder brother. So he told Kunti that she could only keep her 5 sons being him or Arjuna.

Karna in battle field

Bhishma, the commander in chief of Kaurava’s refused his participation in war under his leadership saying that Karna has insulted his guru Parshuram by insulting Draupadi and nobody insulting his guru can fight under my leadership. Bhisma also knew about Karna’s true ancestry and did not want him to fight against his own brothers . Consequently Karna entered the battle field only on 11th day after the fall of Bhisma on 10th day.

Birth of Karna

He was born before his mother Kunti was married to  prince Pandu. Kunti was granted a boon from sage Durvasa who was very pleased with her service and hospitality. The boon was that she can call upon any God to beget a child. Out of curiosity Kunti still being unmarried wanted to test the power of mantra. She invoked the mantra and called Sun God (Surya), bound by the power of mantra Surya appeared and handed her a son, who was radiant and robust as Surya himself. the baby had a Kavach (armour) and kundal (ear ring) attached to his body. Though Kunti didn’t physically give birth to the baby, she was unwilling to face the world as an unwed mother so she placed Karna in a basket and set him float on the holy river Ganga.

He was founded by charioteer, he and his wife Radha raised him and named him Vasusena. He was also known as Radheya after her foster mother.

Karna – The King of Ang Desh (Province)

Drona, the warrior instructor, held a competition in Hastinapur to find the best warrior among the princes. Arjuna emerged victorious, but Karna wasn’t about to be left behind. He stepped forward and matched Arjuna feat for feat. However, his talent was disregarded – Drona refused him entry simply because of his birth as a charioteer’s son. This public humiliation stung Karna deeply.

Even Kunti, present in the audience, remained silent. The burden of her secret kept her from acknowledging Karna as her son. But Duryodhana saw both Karna’s potential and the injustice done. He crowned Karna king of Anga, forever securing his loyalty and friendship.

Karna, a loyal friend

On the onset of war of Mahabharat, his mother Kunti met him and revealed his identity and asked him to take the side of Pandavas. He replied that he can’t betray his friend Duryodhana. Krishna also revealed his identity and asked him to join Pandava side. Krishna assured also him that being the eldest Pandava, he will be given the crown of Hastinapur but  he refused this enormous offer for his friend Duryodhana. Though Krishna was sad with his decision but appreciated his loyalty.

Why was Lord Krishna so against Karna in the Mahabharata

Because Karna was with Duryodhana and he was not following the path of Dharma. But at the same time, he could not be faulted as this was his fate.

Did Karna have the knowledge of the Chakravyuha?

It is not written that he had the knowledge of Chakravyuh, but being the disciple of Lord Parshurama, he would have known this.

Why does Karna not kill Arjun

He could not, because Krishna was with Arjuna, but Lord Indra has also ensured that Arjuna remained invincible by asking the Kavach and Kundala.

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