Karna: Does He Deserve So Much Respect??[DT Note Page 15] - Page 18

Originally posted by: ...Diala...

Surya to Karna, Vaisampayana to Janamejaya both say the earrings make him immortal.. Krishna to Arjun am not sure if I can take it up..

Originally posted by: varaali

Karna's K-K did not make him "immortal". The brahmin's curse (when Karna shot down his cow dead) ensured him a gory end.

Karna gets Indra's weapon in lieu of his Kavach / Kundala. So at best, this can be termed as a barter- certainly not a voluntary donation.

Thanks to his Guru Parashurama's curse, Karna knew his K- K will be of no use when faced with a Brahmastra / Brahamashira. So why not get at least Indra's weapon in return?

Arjuna got no such freebie- even from his own dad.

I am not going too much into Karna's involvement in the Lakshagriha or the VH incident.

According to the originals, the Lac Palace was a mastermind of Kanika- one of Dhritarashtra's chief ministers. As for Karna's comment during the VH, it was during the heat of the moment when passions / emotions were running high. Almost everyone present there with the exception of Vikarna was guilty to some extent.

There was only one fatal mistake which Karna committed and for which he paid with his life. - lying to his Guru Parashurama. That pretty much sealed his fate.

Karn Kavach Kundal definitely made him immortal. I think Karn Kavach and Kundal was originated from Samudra Manthan. It is written that Kundal is made of Amrit. It ensure immortality. However I don't know if one cut Karn's both ear and then behead him can kill him or not. May be Kavach also protect neck.

Originally posted by: varaali

Part of Vyasa's typical hyperbole - something that is his signature.

How can anyone, that too a human being be immortal? Even the Asuras did not get such a boon.

Originally posted by: varaali

There is one another character in the Mahabharata whose life mirrors that of Karna. The circumstances which were forced upon Karna were similar to what this character too had to face.

This person too, though born to a mother of royal lineage had to be abandoned by his birth parents. Nevertheless, his adopted parents showered love and affection on him.

Again, in striking similarity to Karna's life, this boy too did not get the martial education that a kshatriya prince deserved. He was able to obtain such an education only when he was sixteen years old.

His guru was not the best in Aryavarta, yet he acknowledged his Guru's efforts and offered the best dakshina his guru could have wished for. By his own perseverance he went on to become the greatest warrior of his times. He did not resort to telling bare faced lies to his guru.

This person too, at the time of his wife's swayamvar was derided by her brother because he had been brought up parents who belonged to a lower caste. He let his deeds to the talking.

Though he was a champion warrior, when the greatest battle was about to be fought, he had no qualms in dropping his bow and picking up the reins of a chariot. He willingly took up the charioteering job from which Karna so desperately wanted to avoid.

Why don't I see anyone feeling "sorry" for this guy?

BTW- I am talking about Krishna - Lord Krishna, Btw.

Originally posted by: Medha.S

thanks for the citations --😊

i dont even know from what novel or version people brought the 'karna was reluctant" thing, yeah. I am sure there were claims that karna fought with shakuni over the lac house conspiracy because he was so damn not ok with it.🥱

obviously no citations are ever provided --

Originally posted by: Medha.S

Yep, this makes sense - or it could also be what the statement points at, Pandavas in forest -- first year of exile - helpless as much as they can be, grieving and despairing over the events obviously -- so no better time to march over and finish it quietly -- not to mention the sneakiness of it all -- Karna wants to kill them and then let the world think Pandavas simply vanished on some" unknown journey" -- resulting in the long awaited "peace" Karna and Kauravas would have after that.

And in the end, it is just Karna wanting to murder them in a very 🤬 way! Like a combination of Shakuni and Duryodhanas ways -- sneaky enough +straightforward in your face enough!

Originally posted by: smrth

There is None. This hoax of Karna's 'regret'/ remorse' on Varnavat is such a bad case of 'fanfic' assumption, perhaps not woth. In fact, reverse (-sad that plan was not a 'success') was the 'fact' (as borne out by citation and not 'assumptions'.) After Swayanwar...

"Accompanied by his brothers, Aswatthaman, his uncle (Sakuni), Karna and Kripa the prince set out with a heavy heart for his capital. Then Duhsasana, blushing with shame, addressed his brother softly and said, 'If Arjuna had not disguised himself as a Brahmana, he could never have succeeded in obtaining Draupadi. It was for this disguise, O king, that no one could recognise him as Dhananjaya. Fate, I ween, is ever supreme. Exertion is fruitless; fie on our exertions, O brother! The Pandavas are still alive!' Speaking unto one another thus and blaming Purochana (for his carelessness), they then entered the city of Hastinapura, with cheerless and sorrowful hearts.

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard these words of the monarch, Vidura said, 'O king, let thy understanding remain so without change for a hundred years!' Having said this Vidura returned to his own abode. Then, O monarch, there came unto Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana and the son of Radha, Karna. Addressing the monarch, they said, 'We cannot, O king, speak of any transgression in the presence of Vidura! We have now found thee alone, and will, therefore, say all we like! What is this that thou hast, O monarch, desired to do? Dost thou regard the prosperity of thy foes as if it were thy own, that thou hast been applauding the Pandavas, O foremost of men, in the presence of Vidura? O sinless one, thou actest not, O king, in the way thou shouldst! O father, we should now act every day in such a way as to weaken (the strength of) the Pandavas..."

Regret !?!..if any, it was over the failure of the plot!!🤢

@MedhaS, i may opt the silence, noting discomfiture of personal nature (not you)...i meant analysis of only epic facts. No offence to fellow readers or their beliefs, even while i stick to mine.😒

Originally posted by: ...Diala...

you forgot suicide 😊