Karna: A monologue – Final part

Karna At Kurukshetra -The Field of Battle ,last day…

Much water had flowed the Jamuna when my mother and Devraj Indra approached me for Pandava’s safety. In the meanwhile, Pandava’s lost their kingdom, wife, and themselves in a gambling game manipulated by Shakuni, kaurava’s maternal uncle. Dushasana tried to disrobe Draupadi of which, I too was a witness. I regret these events because Duryodhana was unjust to Pandava’s.  But I overlooked his injustice and sided with him against the voice of my conscience. Consequently, Pandavas went into exile for thirteen years. After returning from exile, they demanded their kingdom back, but Duryodhana refused to do so. Krishna tried to mediate but failed. And the begule of war was sounded.

One morning, Sun God appeared before me (Karna). He told me the story of mine as well as the birth of Pandava’s. He warned me that Arjun’s father (Lord Indra) would come to beg for my divine armor and earrings gifted to me by Him (God SUN). They were my greatest safety wall. Nobody could injure or harm me till they were with me. I did not take it seriously. But my father Sun God was right.

One morning when I was offering oblation to the sun, He (Lord Indra) appeared in the grab of Brahmin and asked for some charity. As it is my practice, I readily agreed to offer him what he wanted. At once he demanded my armor and earrings. Then I recognized him at once, but without any hesitation gave Him the demanded articles, after passing satirical remarks at him. Thus, lord Indra, my rival’s father made his son’s life safe and secure.

My heart was full of sorrow and grief. I was very sad at the injustice done to me by her. But it is against my nature to turn people away from me without granting them their wishes. So I assured her that I would spare all of her sons except Arjuna who was my real rival. Only one would remain alive between Arjuna and me. Thus she would always remain the mother of five sons.

One morning misfortune played a very important role in my life. It was very chilly on that day. The sun had not yet risen. I had just come out of the river after taking bath. I saw a shadow coming slowly towards me. When it came near I recognized. It was my so called mother Devi Kunti. I identify only Radha as my mother. But after all she was my mother because she gave me birth. So, I touched her feet humbly and asked her the cause her visit so early on such a cold morning.

At this, she began to weep. In the midst of her sobs, she told me that I was her eldest son, the result Sun God’s boon in her virgin hood, and insisted to join my real brothers. Hearing all this was not a surprise. I told her that I already knew all this through my father Sun God. But to abandon Duryodhana, my only intimate friend, and thus to cheat on him was impossible. So I turned down her offer politely. I condemned her not to be bold enough to face the consequences of her union with Sun God and deserting me just after my birth and never recognizing me even when I lived in a servant quarter of the kaurava palace. Now she had come to me to ensure the safety of her other sons in the war going to be waged on the battle field of kurukshetra.

Lying critically injured on a secluded part of the battle field and waiting for death, I am reminded of all the major events of my tumultuous life. When I analyze them, I find that I am one of the most deprived of natural rights and cheated not only by human beings but also by Gods.

Now I am reminded of my last battle with Arjun. Deprived of my divine armor and earrings, I was facing Arjuna bravely and successfully nullifying his divine arrows. When Arjuna started gloating over his skill in archery, admiring me, lord Krishna said, “Arjuna, don’t be misled. Keep in mind that you have the favor of Gods like lord Hanumana, Indra and my own. Yet he is facing you successfully!

All of the sudden the wheels of my chariot got stuck in the mud/mire created by an amount of blood of dead or injured soldiers. I entreated Arjuna to wait for some time so that I might take the wheels of my chariot out of the mire. At this Arjuna hesitated as if he was ready to oblige me. But Krishna asked me where my moral was when seven great warriors attacked Arjun’s unarmed son Abhimanyu and killed him. I had no right to appeal in the name of justice and morality.

I (Karna) wanted to tell them that it was a strategy made by guru Drona, Jayadrath and others. I was only a tool in their hands, but I said nothing because Govinda’s accusation which was right to some extent and took away my power of speed and made me dump. Spurred by lord Krishna, Arjuna shot a valley of arrows at me and injured me critically.

Also Read: Karna: A monologue – Part 1