Guys, let me share some raw quotes about Krishna/Karna.
Krishna yells, "Wow! Nice shot, Karna.
Arjuna asks Krishna, Why are you praising Karna?'
Krishna tells Arjun, Look at you! You have Lord Hanuman on the flag of this chariot. You have me as your charioteer. You received the blessings of Ma Durga and your Guru, Dronacharya before the battle, have a loving Mother and an aristocratic heritage. This Karna has nobody, his own charioteer, Salya belittles him, his own Guru (Parusurama) cursed him, his Mother abandoned him when he was born and he has no known heritage. Yet, look at the battle he's giving you. Without me and Lord Hanuman on this chariot, where would you be?'
This is a question that is fit for every one of us. Where would you be?' Where would anyone of us be without God's grace? We are not the doer. So, when Arjun is upset because of Krishna's praise of Karna Krishna reminds him that he is not the doer. One way or another, Krishna removed all of Arjuna's obstacles throughout his life. Krishna, via Dronacharya, eliminated Ekalavya as a future threat. Krishna, via Indra, made Karna give up his golden impenetrable armor. Krishna, via Ghatocatcha(Bhima's Son), made Karna use his deadly dart reserved for Arjuna. To Which Krishna laughed and laughed. When asked why he was laughing by Arjuna. Krishna said, one minute ago Karna could not be defeated even by the Gods, but, right now he has become human for the first time. Prior to that, Krishna would drive the chariot in such a way as to avoid Karna's side of the field.
Whereas, all of Arjuna's obstacles were removed one by one Karna's odds were stacked against him one by one
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I also saw a brilliant article online which talks about the similarities of Krishna HUMAN form and Karna. Just human form, not Krishna ultimate energy.
Let me briefly state some.
Immediately after Krishna's birth, he was transported across the river by his father, Vasudeva to be brought up by his step-parents Nanda & Yasoda
Immediately after Karna's birth, his Mother Kunti placed him in a basket on the river. He was transported to his step-parents Adhiratha & Radha by the watchful eye of his father, Surya Dev
Krishna's mother was Devaki, his Step-Mother Yasoda, His Chief Wife Rukmini, yet he is remembered mostly for his lila with Radha. Radha-Krishna'
Karna's birth mother was Kunti, and even after finding out she was his mother He told Krishna that he will not be called Kaunteya son of Kunti, but will be remembered as Radheya Son of Radha. Till date, the Mahabharata refers to Karna as Radheya'
Krishna was asked by his people Yadavas- to become, King. Krishna refused and Ugrasena was King of the Yadavas.
Krishna asked Karna to become Emperor of India (BharataVarsha- Extending to Pakistan, Bangladesh & Afghanistan at the time), thereby preventing the MahaBharat War. Krishna argued that Karna being elder to both Yudhisthira & Duryodhana he would be the rightful heir to the throne. Karna refused the Kingdom on account of principle ( needs proof!)
Krishna/Karna were both looked upon as Outsiders' in the Mahabharat war
Krishna/Karna were often pre-judged and ridiculed by others. Krishna as a Cowherd' and Karna belonging to the Suta' caste
Krishna/Karna never sought titles, wealth or accolades of praise. Both were extremely generous to their family and friends
Krishna was born in the Kshatriya caste, yet he played the role of Arjuna's charioteer in the War
Karna was raised in the Suta (Charioteer) caste, yet he played the role of a Kshatriya in the War
Krishna/Karna both wanted Yudhisthira to become Emperor. Karna called Yudhisthira the embodiment of Truth' and that he deserved the Kingdom ( true, but due to his loyalty to D, he had to fight for the contrary)
By Birth, Karna had a closer relationship to Arjuna (Brothers) than Krishna had with Arjuna (Cousins)
But Spiritually, Krishna-Arjuna are the closest
Krishna asked Karna how he knew the Pandavas would Win the MahaBharat War. To which Karna responded, Kurukshethra is a sacrificial field. Arjuna is the Head Priest, You-Krishna are the presiding deity. Myself (Karna), Bhishma Dev, Dronacharya and Duryodhana are the sacrifice.' ( I'll look up the shoklas to comfirm)
Krishna/Karna both sacrificed their lives for the Pandavas
Krishna ended their conversation by telling Karna, You are the best of the Pandavas ( hahaa will look this up to)
The last tidbit is this, all the letters of K-A-R-N-A are in the word KRISHNA.
KARNA is the creation of Krishna to show the world the true meaning of sacrifice and to accept your fate. And in spite of all the bad luck or bad times you come across maintain: Your Spirituality, Your Generosity, Your Nobility, Your Dignity and Your Self- Respect and Respect for others (Hmm..)
The most telling aspect of Karna's character comes when Sri Krishna offers him the Emperorship of India and without so much of a blink of an eye Karna turns it down as a matter of principle.
Karna tells Krishna, "What am I to do with the Throne? Am I to die of old age on a Throne? No, my death will be on the battlefield like a true Warrior. There is no Glory, being King there is Glory dying a Hero's death I am after Glory, not the Throne or Gold. ( maybe the english translation went overboard but nevertheless)
The old one is below which maybe reveals that Krishna thought he was worthy of ruling entire india and maybe even more than Yuddy.
Enjoy the sovereignty of the earth, O thou of mighty arms, with thy brothers the Pandavas,with yapas and homas and auspicious rites of diverse kinds performed in thy honour. Let the Dravidas, with the Kuntalas, the Andhras, and the Talacharas, and the Shuchupas, and the Venupas, all walk before thee. Let chanters and panegyrists praise thee with innumerable laudatory hymns. Let the Pandavas proclaim,--Victory to Vasusena. Surrounded by the Pandavas, like the moon by the stars, RULE THOU THE KINGDOM , O son of Kunti"
Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section CXL
Karna proceeds to tell Krishna, "Do not give me anything. Whatever, I get I will give to Duryodhana. If you give me the Kingdom, I will give it to Duryodhana. So, please don't offer me that, as Yudhisthira deserves the Kingdom. He is fit to be the Emperor of Bharata as the very embodiment of Truth. The Pandavas are under your protection, they will Win the War.
It is said that at Draupadi's Swayamvara (The most skilled Warrior Wins the Princess as his Wife) if Karna had Won Draupadi's hand he would have given her to Duryodhana.
Krishna and Karna did not trust each other. Karna thought of Krishna as a trickster. He was skeptical of Krishna's claims that he was a "god.
Krishna on the other hand was always in a fix because the most powerful warrior who could easily defeat Arjun just like that, was in the Kaurava camp.
However even though Karna had a mini grudge for Krishna because Krishna knew about his birth secret and kept quite the entire time, only to reveal this during the war, to reduce Karna's killing intent, this did not made him hate him, he still admired him.
They were distant cousins.
Krishna was closest friend of pandavas and Karna closest to D.
Krishna/Karna Everything they did they did for others, not for themselves. Two selfless souls always acting for the betterment for others, while needing nothing themselves is Freedom.
Karna was another version of Krishna in human form but with shades of grey.
Krishna would prefer NOT to kill Karna(directly or indirectly) but he must, for closure and for Dharma to prevail.He does, however ensure Karna gets his deserved glory, and sets him as an example of the idealised human- Karna's life story is an example to struggling humanity to persever and never lose heart.
Karna's sins were balanced out by time war started.So Krishna did what he did- gave him his glory, eliminated him for Pandavas' sake also.
They both had mutual respect for each other. Karna respected Krishna and Krishna respected him too.
"Sanjaya said, 'Having spoken these words, KARNA CLOSELY PRESSED MADHAVA TO HIS BOSOM. Dismissed by Kesava, he then descended from the car. (they hugged??)
Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section CXLIII
Karna said, 'Without doubt, O KESAVA, thou hast said these words from thy love, affection, and friendship for me
From joy or fear. O GOVINDA. I cannot venture to destroy those bonds even for the sake of the whole earth
And it is for this, O ACHYUTA, that in the battle (that will ensue), I, O Krishna, have been chosen as the great antagonist of Arjuna
f I do not now engage in a single combat with Arjuna, this will, O HRISHIKESA, be inglorious for both myself and Partha
Karna was only person in dwapar yuga who did use 7-8 names of Lord Krishna in single speech.
All these name have specific importance and specific meaning.
These names has been mentioned to show greatness of Lord Krishna and Karna did use these names which proves the greatness of Lord Krishna( Unlike D, he did respected Krishna)
Krishna to Arjuna]
Hear in brief, O son of Pandu! I regard the mighty warrior Karna as thy equal, or perhaps, thy SUPERIOR ! . In energy he is equal to Agni. As regards speed, he is equal to the impetuosity of the wind. In wrath, he resembles the Destroyer himself. He is invincible. He is sensitive. He is a hero. He is, again, the FOREMOST OF HEROES. He is exceedingly handsome (irrelevant?). Possessed of every accomplishment of a warrior
The man does not exist in this world that could not stay before Karna armed with that dart and looking like Kartikeya in battle. By good luck, his (natural) armour had been taken away. By good luck, his earrings also had been taken away. By good luck, his infallible dart also is now baffled, through Ghatotkacha. Clad in (natural) coat of mail and decked with his (natural) ear-rings, Karna, who had his senses under control, could singly vanquish the three worlds with the very gods. Neither Vasava, nor Varuna the lord of the waters, nor Yama, could venture to approach him. Indeed, if that bull among men had his armour and ear-rings, neither thyself, bending the
Gandiva , nor myself, uplifting my discus, called Sudarsana , could vanquish him in battle. For thy good, Karna was divested of his ear-rings by Sakra with the help of an illusion.
Book 7: Drona Parva
(not main text but its the supplement books so highly ambiguous)
These wails are being incessantly heard, O Partha, of thy helpless friends who are uttering them, mangled by the shafts of Karna.
The manner in which Karna is aiming and letting off his shafts is such that NO INTERVAL can be noticed between the two acts. He will, O Partha, annihilate all our friends.
Book 7: Drona Parva
( Krishna praising his shooting skills)
There win occur one OPPORTUNITY for his slaughter. When his car-wheels will sink in the earth, availing thyself of that opportunity, thou shouldst slay him in that DISTRESSFUL situation. I will make thee a sign beforehand. Warned by it, thou shouldst act. The vanquisher of Vala himself, that foremost of heroes, wielding his thunder, is INCAPABLE of slaying the INVINCIBLE KARNA while the LATER STANDS WEAPON IN HAND
Book 7: Drona Parva
( Krishna confessed that it was impossible to slay Krishna without treachery)
Krishna said to Arjuna]
Hear in brief, O son of Pandu! I regard the mighty warrior Karna as thy equal, or perhaps, thy SUPERIOR ! . In energy he is equal to Agni. As regards speed, he is equal to the impetuosity of the wind. In wrath, he resembles the Destroyer himself. He is invincible. He is sensitive. He is a hero. He is, again, the FOREMOST OF HEROES. He is exceedingly handsome. Possessed of every accomplishment of a warrior.
Book 8: Karna Parva
Karna
"The force has its own reasons, I have my own reasons. Where were you when Drona denied me to teach lessons because I do not belong to a royal family? Where was Dharma when I was not allowed to compete in the Swayamvar of Draupadi and I was insulted of being a person from lowerly caste? Where was dharma when I had to answer every single person how a suta putra became the king? Dharma or righteousness for that matter has never been my friend. I have only one friend and only one dharma"
Karna
I am not fighting this war to gain anything. After Ganga putra Bheesma, I am the most unfortunate lone warrior in this battlefield. Fighting for nothing. He has his Pratigya and hence he is helpless. But I am not helpless. I can walk away from the war. But No, I won't. I cannot leave my friend when he needs me the most. I know he is wrong but that has nothing to do with my gratitude.
Krishna
Fine. What if Pandavas win and they invite you to become the king of Hastinapura? You will have to marry Draupadi then, will you do it?
Karna
No that is not even a possibility. At the end of this war, either I will be alive or Arjuna will be. No matter who wins this war, one of us is going to die. And as far as Draupadi is concerned, that is the only regret I have. I have wrongly insulted her, called her a wh**e in the court room. I shouldn't have said that. So even if she approaches me, I am not worthy of her now. At one point, I was. But not now. It's too late ( Did he actually repent??)
(Ref - Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section CXL] - but translated to english hence)
( Karna thoughts are in Karna Parva + book rashmirathi)
Idk to what extent, you guys believe in Karna Parva but putting the quotes here just in case
Passion, engagement, skill and policy - these are the means to accomplish objectives.
Ashwatthama, Karna Parva, Mahabharata Book viii.6[3]
Karna Parva, Chapter 69:
Many people maintain that morality can be learned from the scriptures alone; I do not find fault with that, but then everything is not provided in the scriptures.
Moral precepts have been made for the well bring of all creatures.
Moral precepts have been made to free the creatures from all injuries.
Dharma - morality - is so called because it protects all. Morality saves all creatures. That is moral that keeps creatures from injuries.
An untruth spoken to save creatures from injuries is in the cause of morality, and does not amount to a falsehood.
Krishna, Karna Parva, Mahabharata Book viii.69.56-66
It's just the book quotes, the movies/TV versions as some of you pointed out was inaccurate.
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The entire Mahabharata war will stop by only one word delivered by Karna to dharmaraj i.e. "I am your elder brother just enough this word to stop the entire war.
It would have been cool if Karna would have been with Pandavs. Imagine the look on D's face.
