What did Karna asked after his death from Krishna?

Karna is my favorite character from the Mahabharata. If there is one person I would like to be it is Karna.

Every person is criticized/glorified even Krishna, but Karna never has any questions asked about his integrity. Krishna considered Karna the greatest warrior (even greater than Arjun), the greatest philanthropist and even more righteous than Yudhishtir. Of all I would present four stories in short. (There are many)
There are several stories around it-
  1. On the battle field, Arjun and Karna were engaged in a duel. After every blow, Karna’s chariot went back 16 yards, while Arjun’s only went back 3 yards. Krishna was in awe over Karna. Arjun inquired, Krishna replied- ‘With you, there is the weight of the entire cosmos, yet he can move us three yards’.
  2. Krishna, once asked Arjun to distribute a mountain of gold amongst people, he began distributing it. Karna came and told people- ‘the mountain is yours’. Krishna said- ‘Arjun, while distributing, you got attached to the value and quanitiy of gold, Karna didn’t.’
  3. Karna made a vow, to always donate whatever anyone asked when praying to Sun God ( he didn’t know until the battle that he was the child of the Sun). Lord Indra went to him disguised- he asked for Karna’s golden armour, that he was born with. To uphold the vow, he gave it away. Lord Indra then showed him his divine form and blessed him.
  4. On his death bed, Krishna went to him as a disguised monk and asked for alms. Karna took a stone lying beside him and broke off his gold filled tooth and gave it to him. Krishna impressed, showed his cosmic form and sang to him the Bhagvad Gita. He remained the only person other than Arjun to have heard the Bhagvad Gita. Duryodhana chose not to hear it. On his death bed, he asked Krishna about is life.
  5. Karna tells Krishna "lot of unfairness has happened to me. Is it my fault that I am born illegitimate? My mother left me the moment I was born. I , who should have been brought up in palace was brought up in 'sutha's house. I did not get full education (in war science) from Dhronacharya because I was considered as a 'sutha'. Even though Parasurama taught me full, he gave me a curse that I should forget everything , since I was a kshatriya. Is it my fault. I didn't even know I was a kshatriya. Some boy came running and was hit by my chariot. It was not my fault, it was an accident. Even then the boy's father cursed me. Even in Draupadi's 'swayamvara' I was disgraced for being a 'sutaputra' even though I was the 'suryaputra'.Kunti had affection only for her other children. She never told me the truth and finally when she did tell me , she asked me not to use any weapon on her son's second time. Even though she never behaved like a mother , I gave her whatever she asked. I should have got the throne of ' Kurukula'but am ruling a kingdom I got out of Dhuryodhana's charity.Bhishma never gave me any respect as a worthy person and he also disgraced me and disallowed me to fighting in the army under his Generalship. I am beating all this due to friendship of Dhuryodhana. You all might think that he is a villain, but he has done only good to me. Even when Gods left me Dhuryodhana stood by me. So what is wrong in my being in his side. "
  6. Krishna answers. “Karna, I was born in a jail. Death was waiting for me even before my birth. The night I was born I was separated from my mother. At least you had some education in 'sutha' house. From childhood you grew up hearing the noise of swords, chariots, horses,bow and arrows. For me I got only cow herd's shed. No swords, no chariots, but only cattles, cow dung, milk maids with attempts on my life by Kamsa. No army, no education. In young age I was accused of killing my own uncle. In fear of Jaradandha I had to move my whole community from the banks of Yamuna to far off Sea shore a very new place. I could hear people saying I am the reason for all their problems. I was also called a coward for running away. When all of you were being appreciated for your valours by your teacher (guru) I had not even joined a Gurukula. I joined the gurukula of Rishi Sandipani only at the age of 16. You have a kingdom, but what about me. When girls whom I don't even know, want me to protect them by marrying them I have to rush there leaving whatever I am doing. I never got the girl I loved but any one who loves me , get me. If Dhuryodhana wins the war you will get lot of credit and will become more famous. I am just a Sarathi ( charioteer). What do I get if Dharmaraja wins the war? Already I am being blamed for the war and all problems. This blame will not vanish if Dharmaraja wins or loses. Remember one thing Karna. Everybody has challenges in life. LIFE IS NOT FAIR ON ANYBODY. Dhuryodhana has lots and lots of unfairness in life. So also Yudhishtra. But what is Right (Dharma) is known to your mind ( conscious). How much unfairness we got, how many times we were disgraced, how many times we were denied what is due to us, is not important. What is important is how you REACTED at that time decides your personality. Stop whining Karna. Learn to walk in the path of consciousness ( विवेका). Life's unfairness does not give you license to walk the wrong path (अधर्मा). Even though he knew, Pandavas demanded only 5 villages of the entire kingdom that was rightly theirs, Karna who was the only person Duryodhana listened to, refused to advise his friend. Instead, he chose to fight for his friend choosing loyalty over conscience and righteousness.
  7. Krishna told Karna that- his character would be unquestionable, even his enemies would sing glories of his ‘ bravery, integrity, humility, and righteousness’

No comments:

Post a Comment