Originally posted by: ..RamKiJanaki..
I agree. Arjuna also had a difficult life, just in a different way. His father died when he was a child. His mother raised him and his four brothers alone as a single mom. He and his brothers were bullied and tormented by their 100 cousins from the day they entered Hastinapur. Their uncle never loved them. Bhima was poisoned and almost killed by Duryodhan. They were almost burnt alive in Varnavat, and while they were loved by Bhishma and Drona, they never did anything to protect the Pandavas from the Kauravas. Bhishma and Drona considered themselves indebted to Hastinapura, so they silently watched the Kauravas commit many wrong deeds against the Pandavas without doing anything. The Pandavas were always alone, having only each other and their mother.
On the other hand, one can argue that Karna enjoyed a happy and loving family life with both parents and brothers who loved him like their own. He had the friendship of Duryodhan and Hastinapura. He got the kingdom of Anga for free.
One can argue either way. In the epic, Karna was not such a tragic hero that the media depicts him to be. He was taught all basic education by Dronacharya and only denied the divine astras on the basis of his caste, but shows and movies make it seem like he did not even get basic education in weapons, which is wrong. Media goes over on depicting Karna like a tragic hero. Yes, he suffered, but not to the extent that everyone thinks. The Pandavas did not have a happy dandy life either. Suffering comes in multiple forms, and both the Pandavas and Karna suffered in different ways. As far as ability goes, Karna and Arjuna were both skilled archers, but since God supported the Pandavas for their righteousness, and the Kauravas' side committed many wrong deeds, they were all killed in unethical ways as per their karma. Karna's death happened as per his karma, not because Arjuna could not kill him any other way. Karna had cut Abhimanyu's bow from behind, which is against war ethics. That's why he too was killed by Arjuna from behind. As you sow, you reap. Moreover, Karna wanted to rely on divine astras to kill Arjuna. Why? Why did he have to rely on the shakti and naagastra to kill Arjuna if he was so much stronger than him? His simple arrows could have done the deed too. That's because Karna knew and respected Arjuna's ability. One thing has to be said for Karna. He was not arrogant and ignorant like Duryodhana. He knew what his strengths and weaknesses were. He knew that Arjuna was his equal in archery and if anyone had the capability to kill him, it was Arjuna.
One can actually say that the Kauravas were the ones who had the happiest life for a long time. They were spoiled rotten by their parents who never criticized them for anything. They were allowed to roam free and were feared/respected by the people of Hastinapura. They had a grand life until the Pandavas gained strength.