Mahabharata
– 225
by
Sankar Mukherjee
&
Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
Aadivamsa Avatarana Parva
Who was Karna?
One is apt to ask who Karna was. The omniscient author knows that Karna was born of Pritha or Kunti or Arjuna’s mother in her maidenhood.He was a part of the hot-beamed Sun and his energy and prowess likened those of a lion,or the bull,or the leader of a herd of elephants. In splendor he resembled the Sun.In look he likened the Moon and in energy he was like the fire. Begotten by the Sun himself, he was tall in stature like a golden palm tree.And he was endowed with the vigor of youth. Karna’s body was like that of a lion.
Handsome in features, he was possessed of countless attainments. The mighty-armed warrior, eyeing all around the arena, bowed indifferently to Drona and Kripa. And the entire assembly, motionless and with eagerness thought, -----Who is he? And that foremost of eloquent men, the son of the Sun, in a voice deep as that of the clouds, addressed Arjuna his brother not knowingly as his brother. Oh Arjuna! I shall perform all the feats before this gazing spectator exceeding all you had performed. See them, you shall be amazed. The speech, of Karna had hardly ended when the spectators stood up all at once, mechanically. At this Duryodhana was filled with delight, while Arjuna was instantly agitated and angry. Then with the permission of Drona, the mighty Karna, delighting in battle, there did all that Arjuna had done before. After that Duryodhana with his brothers embraced Karna in joy and then addressed him saying--------- Welcome Oh mighty- warrior! I have obtained you due to my good fortune. Oh! great warrior! Live here as you please. Enjoy the kingdom of the Kurus.Kama replied, ---When you say it, I regard it as already accomplished. I only long for your friendship. And,I wish for a single combat with Arjuna. Duryodhana said, stay with me. Enjoy the good things of life! Be my friend,and, Oh oppressor of foes, place your feet on the heads of all the foes. Staying amidst his brothers like a mountain Arjuna, after this, feeling insulted,said to Karna --- Oh Karna! You shall be slain by me. Karna replied --This arena is meant for all, not for you alone. Oh Arjuna! There are many kings here endowed with great prowess and energy. True virtue follows the courageous.
What is the need of argument? That is the exercise of the weak! Oh! You speak them with arrows, till I strike off your head today before your preceptor. Hastily embraced by his brothers, Arjuna with the permission of Drona, proceeded for the combat with Karna. On the other side, Karna, having been joined with Duryodhana and his brothers, took up his bow and arrows, and stood ready for the fight. Then the sky enveloped with clouds emitted flashes of lightning,and the colored bow of Indra appeared shedding its bright rays. The clouds seemed to laugh on account of the rows of white cranes that were then on the wing. And seeing Indra thus viewing the arena from affection for his son, the sun too dispersed the clouds from over his own offspring. And Arjuna remained deeply hid under cover of the clouds, while Karna remained visible, being surrounded by the rays of the Sun. And the son of Dhritarashtra stood by Karna and Dronacharya and Kripacharya and Bhishma remained with Arjuna. And the assembly was divided, as also the female spectators. And Kunti, became unconscious, since both Karna and Arjuna were her offspring but that Karna was the child of Pritha or Kunti was unknown to the spectators and protagonists of the tourney.And by the help of female attendants, the great Vidura, versed in all the duties, brought the unconscious Kunti to sense by sprinkling sandal-paste and water on her face. On being restored to consciousness, Kunti, seeing her two sons clad in armour, was seized with fear, but she could do nothing to protect them. And seeing both the warriors ready with bows, Kripacharya, knowing all duties and well aware of the rules of the duels, addressed Karna saying ---This Pandava, Arjuna is the youngest son of Kunti. He belongs to the Kaurava race. And he is the third son of Pandu. He will engage in combat with you.But, Oh! Mighty warrior Karna, you too must tell us your lineage and the names of your father and mother and the royal line to which you belong. Learning all this, Arjuna will fight with you or not. Sons of kings never fight with men of undignified
lineage. When he was thus addressed by Kripacharya, Karna's look became like a lotus pale and torn with the pelting showers in the rainy season. Duryodhana said --- Oh preceptor ! As per the scripture, three classes of persons can throw down claim to challenge the royalty, persons of the blood royal, heroes, and lastly, those that lead armies. If Arjuna is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I will install Karna as the king of Anga. At that very moment, seated on a golden seat, with parched paddy and flowers and water-pots made of gold, the mighty warrior Karna was installed as king by Brahmanas well versed in mantras. And the royal umbrella was held over his head, while Yak-tails waved around that formidable hero of graceful look. When the cheers of minstrels ceased, Karna said to the Duryodhana ---- What shall I give you in turn that may match with your gift of a kingdom? Oh king! I will do all you desire. And Duryodhana said to him ---I eagerly wish for your friendship. Thus addressed, Karna replied ---Be it so. And they embraced each other in joy, and experienced great happiness.
After this, with his scarf loosely hanging down, Adhiratha entered the arena, perspiring and trembling, and supporting himself on a staff. Seeing him, Karna left his bow and impelled by dutiful regard bowed down his head still wet with the water of consecration. And then Adhiratha, hurriedly covering his feet with the end of his cloth, addressed Karna ---- Oh my son! My son! And Karna’s head was still wet with the water sprinkled over it on account of the coronation as king of Anga. Adhiratha embraced Karna. And from excess of affection
Adhiratha wetted Karna’s head with tears. Seeing Adhiratha, Bhimasena the Pandava took Karna as a son of a charioteer, and said by way of joking --- Oh son of a charioteer, you do not deserve death in fight at the hands of Arjuna. As befits your race take the whip and be
a driver of a chariot. And, Oh worst of mortals! Surely you are not worthy to have the kingdom of Anga, just as a dog does not deserve the butter placed before the sacrificial fire. Karna, thus addressed, with slightly trembling lips took a deep breath, and looked at the Sun god in the skies. And even as a mad elephant rises from the group of lotuses, the mighty Duryodhana rose in wrath from among his brothers, and addressed that performer of dreadful deeds, Bhimasena --------- Oh Bhimasena! You should not speak such words. Might is the cardinal virtue of a Kshatriya, and even a Kshatriya of inferior birth deserves to be encountered in contests of arms. The lineage of heroes, like the source of a great river is ever unknown. The fire that covers the
whole world rises from the waters. The thunder that slays the Danavas was made of a bone of Dadhichi the sage. The illustrious deity Kartikeya, who combines in his composition Agni and Ganga of unknown lineage, sprang from Rudra. He was protected by the constellation named
Krittika.It has been heard that persons born in the Kshatriya order have become Brahmanas. Viswamitra and others were born Kshatriyas. But they have realized the eternal Brahman. The foremost of all wielders of weapons, the preceptor Drona was born in a water pot and Kripa of the race of Gotama sprang from a kind of grass. The stories of your birth, are known to me. Can a she-deer bring forth a tiger like magnificent Karna? Karna likens the Sun. And he is endowed with every auspicious mark. He is born also with a natural amour and ear-rings. This king Karna among men deserves to rule the world, not of Anga only, Because of the might of his arm I swear to obey him in every sphere. If there be anybody here to whom all that I have done to Karna has become intolerable, let him ascend his chariot and bend his bow with the help of his feet and fight with him. Then there arose a confused murmur amongst the spectators approving of Duryodhana's speech.The sun, however, went down, and prince Duryodhana taking Karna's hand led him out of the arena lighted with countless lamps. The Pandavas also, accompanied by Drona and Kripa and Bhishma, returned to their abodes. And the people,who came there, praised the heroes some naming Arjuna,some Karna,and some Duryodhana . And Kunti, recognising her son in Karna by the various auspicious marks on his body and seeing him installed as the ruler of Anga, was, very pleased.Her motherly affection overflowed.And Duryodhana, having obtained Karna in this way, banished his fears arising out of Arjuna's
proficiency in arms. And the heroic Karna, accomplished in arms, began to gratify Duryodhana by sweet speeches, while Yudhishthira was impressed with the belief that there was no warrior on earth like Karna.
by
Sankar Mukherjee
&
Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
Aadivamsa Avatarana Parva
Who was Karna?
One is apt to ask who Karna was. The omniscient author knows that Karna was born of Pritha or Kunti or Arjuna’s mother in her maidenhood.He was a part of the hot-beamed Sun and his energy and prowess likened those of a lion,or the bull,or the leader of a herd of elephants. In splendor he resembled the Sun.In look he likened the Moon and in energy he was like the fire. Begotten by the Sun himself, he was tall in stature like a golden palm tree.And he was endowed with the vigor of youth. Karna’s body was like that of a lion.
Handsome in features, he was possessed of countless attainments. The mighty-armed warrior, eyeing all around the arena, bowed indifferently to Drona and Kripa. And the entire assembly, motionless and with eagerness thought, -----Who is he? And that foremost of eloquent men, the son of the Sun, in a voice deep as that of the clouds, addressed Arjuna his brother not knowingly as his brother. Oh Arjuna! I shall perform all the feats before this gazing spectator exceeding all you had performed. See them, you shall be amazed. The speech, of Karna had hardly ended when the spectators stood up all at once, mechanically. At this Duryodhana was filled with delight, while Arjuna was instantly agitated and angry. Then with the permission of Drona, the mighty Karna, delighting in battle, there did all that Arjuna had done before. After that Duryodhana with his brothers embraced Karna in joy and then addressed him saying--------- Welcome Oh mighty- warrior! I have obtained you due to my good fortune. Oh! great warrior! Live here as you please. Enjoy the kingdom of the Kurus.Kama replied, ---When you say it, I regard it as already accomplished. I only long for your friendship. And,I wish for a single combat with Arjuna. Duryodhana said, stay with me. Enjoy the good things of life! Be my friend,and, Oh oppressor of foes, place your feet on the heads of all the foes. Staying amidst his brothers like a mountain Arjuna, after this, feeling insulted,said to Karna --- Oh Karna! You shall be slain by me. Karna replied --This arena is meant for all, not for you alone. Oh Arjuna! There are many kings here endowed with great prowess and energy. True virtue follows the courageous.
What is the need of argument? That is the exercise of the weak! Oh! You speak them with arrows, till I strike off your head today before your preceptor. Hastily embraced by his brothers, Arjuna with the permission of Drona, proceeded for the combat with Karna. On the other side, Karna, having been joined with Duryodhana and his brothers, took up his bow and arrows, and stood ready for the fight. Then the sky enveloped with clouds emitted flashes of lightning,and the colored bow of Indra appeared shedding its bright rays. The clouds seemed to laugh on account of the rows of white cranes that were then on the wing. And seeing Indra thus viewing the arena from affection for his son, the sun too dispersed the clouds from over his own offspring. And Arjuna remained deeply hid under cover of the clouds, while Karna remained visible, being surrounded by the rays of the Sun. And the son of Dhritarashtra stood by Karna and Dronacharya and Kripacharya and Bhishma remained with Arjuna. And the assembly was divided, as also the female spectators. And Kunti, became unconscious, since both Karna and Arjuna were her offspring but that Karna was the child of Pritha or Kunti was unknown to the spectators and protagonists of the tourney.And by the help of female attendants, the great Vidura, versed in all the duties, brought the unconscious Kunti to sense by sprinkling sandal-paste and water on her face. On being restored to consciousness, Kunti, seeing her two sons clad in armour, was seized with fear, but she could do nothing to protect them. And seeing both the warriors ready with bows, Kripacharya, knowing all duties and well aware of the rules of the duels, addressed Karna saying ---This Pandava, Arjuna is the youngest son of Kunti. He belongs to the Kaurava race. And he is the third son of Pandu. He will engage in combat with you.But, Oh! Mighty warrior Karna, you too must tell us your lineage and the names of your father and mother and the royal line to which you belong. Learning all this, Arjuna will fight with you or not. Sons of kings never fight with men of undignified
lineage. When he was thus addressed by Kripacharya, Karna's look became like a lotus pale and torn with the pelting showers in the rainy season. Duryodhana said --- Oh preceptor ! As per the scripture, three classes of persons can throw down claim to challenge the royalty, persons of the blood royal, heroes, and lastly, those that lead armies. If Arjuna is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I will install Karna as the king of Anga. At that very moment, seated on a golden seat, with parched paddy and flowers and water-pots made of gold, the mighty warrior Karna was installed as king by Brahmanas well versed in mantras. And the royal umbrella was held over his head, while Yak-tails waved around that formidable hero of graceful look. When the cheers of minstrels ceased, Karna said to the Duryodhana ---- What shall I give you in turn that may match with your gift of a kingdom? Oh king! I will do all you desire. And Duryodhana said to him ---I eagerly wish for your friendship. Thus addressed, Karna replied ---Be it so. And they embraced each other in joy, and experienced great happiness.
After this, with his scarf loosely hanging down, Adhiratha entered the arena, perspiring and trembling, and supporting himself on a staff. Seeing him, Karna left his bow and impelled by dutiful regard bowed down his head still wet with the water of consecration. And then Adhiratha, hurriedly covering his feet with the end of his cloth, addressed Karna ---- Oh my son! My son! And Karna’s head was still wet with the water sprinkled over it on account of the coronation as king of Anga. Adhiratha embraced Karna. And from excess of affection
Adhiratha wetted Karna’s head with tears. Seeing Adhiratha, Bhimasena the Pandava took Karna as a son of a charioteer, and said by way of joking --- Oh son of a charioteer, you do not deserve death in fight at the hands of Arjuna. As befits your race take the whip and be
a driver of a chariot. And, Oh worst of mortals! Surely you are not worthy to have the kingdom of Anga, just as a dog does not deserve the butter placed before the sacrificial fire. Karna, thus addressed, with slightly trembling lips took a deep breath, and looked at the Sun god in the skies. And even as a mad elephant rises from the group of lotuses, the mighty Duryodhana rose in wrath from among his brothers, and addressed that performer of dreadful deeds, Bhimasena --------- Oh Bhimasena! You should not speak such words. Might is the cardinal virtue of a Kshatriya, and even a Kshatriya of inferior birth deserves to be encountered in contests of arms. The lineage of heroes, like the source of a great river is ever unknown. The fire that covers the
whole world rises from the waters. The thunder that slays the Danavas was made of a bone of Dadhichi the sage. The illustrious deity Kartikeya, who combines in his composition Agni and Ganga of unknown lineage, sprang from Rudra. He was protected by the constellation named
Krittika.It has been heard that persons born in the Kshatriya order have become Brahmanas. Viswamitra and others were born Kshatriyas. But they have realized the eternal Brahman. The foremost of all wielders of weapons, the preceptor Drona was born in a water pot and Kripa of the race of Gotama sprang from a kind of grass. The stories of your birth, are known to me. Can a she-deer bring forth a tiger like magnificent Karna? Karna likens the Sun. And he is endowed with every auspicious mark. He is born also with a natural amour and ear-rings. This king Karna among men deserves to rule the world, not of Anga only, Because of the might of his arm I swear to obey him in every sphere. If there be anybody here to whom all that I have done to Karna has become intolerable, let him ascend his chariot and bend his bow with the help of his feet and fight with him. Then there arose a confused murmur amongst the spectators approving of Duryodhana's speech.The sun, however, went down, and prince Duryodhana taking Karna's hand led him out of the arena lighted with countless lamps. The Pandavas also, accompanied by Drona and Kripa and Bhishma, returned to their abodes. And the people,who came there, praised the heroes some naming Arjuna,some Karna,and some Duryodhana . And Kunti, recognising her son in Karna by the various auspicious marks on his body and seeing him installed as the ruler of Anga, was, very pleased.Her motherly affection overflowed.And Duryodhana, having obtained Karna in this way, banished his fears arising out of Arjuna's
proficiency in arms. And the heroic Karna, accomplished in arms, began to gratify Duryodhana by sweet speeches, while Yudhishthira was impressed with the belief that there was no warrior on earth like Karna.
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