Do you think Duryodhan would have befriended Karna...

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... had Kunti revealed his real identity?

Vrish

@Vr15h

Stunner

+ 6

Posted: 12 years ago

Okay, we know that the battle they showed yesterday b/w Arjun & Karna was fictitious, but in the original story, Duryodhan had Karna crowned as the ruler of Anga on the spot.

However, had Kunti revealed to the world Karna's identity either after that day, or after their escape from Varnavarta, do you think Duryodhan would still have been a steadfast friend of Karna? Or would he have tossed Karna into his enemies list?

After all, Duryodhan was jealous of the Pandavas, and reached out to anybody who looked like a challenger to them, and that was the basis of his friendship w/ Karna. After all, he knew that Bheeshma, Drona & Kripa were either neutral/pro-Pandava, and that he couldn't rely on them against the Pandavas. But by getting Karna, he got a steadfast ally. But had it been demonstrated that this ally was actually a son of Kunti, and had the Pandavas too recognized him as one of their own, would Duryodhan still remained as generous?

After all, when Karna did learn that he was a Kaunteya, he asked Krishna to keep that secret, b'cos if Yudisthir got to know of it, he'd give all the rights of the Pandavas to Karna, who'd then have handed it over to Duryodhan. Now, had Kunti revealed everything at a time b4 Karna really got into Duryodhan's debt i.e. b4 the game of dice, when the insult of Draupadi & the vows were made, Karna would still have had the opportunity to return Anga to Duryodhan and invite him to make peace w/ his brothers, the Pandavas. And the Karna who was eager to protect Yudisthir's rights would not have allowed Duryodhan to keep threatening the Pandavas.

Would Duryodhan still have been as friendly w/ a Karna, who's respect would be restored by Kunti & the Pandavas?

What do you think?

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koolsadhu1000

@koolsadhu1000

Stunner

+ 3

Posted: 12 years ago

By the time he would know Vrish , the bond between him and Karna had already been created .

He initially decided to quickly grab him to neutralize Arjun's growing power

but later genuinely became his friend .

What interests me is the fact that Bheeshma told Karna that he would not tell the Pandavas of his identity but only to Duryodhan so that Duryodhan knows of his nobility .

Researchers [ some] say that he did tell Duryodhan and that led him to lose interest in winning and sit in that hiding spot listlessly .

When Yudhishtir called him out Duryodhan frankly said he had lost interest and he could have the kingdom .

Upon which Yudhishtir said he did NOT want the kingdom as a donation but by defeating him .

Duryodhan then came out and when asked to pick he picked the BEST in mace ...not the weakest ...Bheema .

Just as Draupadi did not use the third boon and showed character , i am afraid he did too .

And ultimately he was killed by breaking rules of a mace fight .

How many times Duryodhan himself unscruplously broke rules is a seperate argument ...this actually happened .

I am afraid he has come across as rather valiant in this fight .

Regarding him knowing . some researchers say Bheeshma told him and he cried inconsolably at Karna's nobility and steadfast determination not to desert him and completely lost interest in any win after that . By that time the war was lost too . But i am talking of his emotional condition when he sat in the cool spot underwater .

Personally i feel it would not shake his confidence in Karna coz he knew Karna too well .

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varaali

@varaali

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

That really depends on what would have been Karna's own reaction. Would he have still considered Arjuna as his rival? Duryodhana's friendship with Karna was based on the fact that Karna challenged Arjuna's claim as the best archer.

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Janaki

@RamKiSeeta

Achiever

+ 6

Posted: 12 years ago

It depends on when Kunti revealed the truth.

If she had revealed it during the competition, then no, Duryodhan would not have been friends with him, but if she had revealed it once their friendship was well cemented, I'm not sure what would have happened.

Duryodhan might even have used Karna as a weapon against the Pandavas, knowing the Pandavas would never fight a war that had their brother on the opposing side.

It really depends on when Kunti would revealed the truth.

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halfbloodprince

@WindsOfHeaven

Achiever

+ 8

Posted: 12 years ago

I'd say it would have depended upon Karna's reaction too. Karna's rivalry towards Arjun was something which attracted Duryodhan towards him. So Duryodhan's state of mind would have depended upon Karna's reaction towards the pandavas and Kunti.

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Manoj

@Manojie

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

I think if Kunti had revealed it at the Pratyogita he wouldn't have made friends with them, but not only because Dhuryodhan wouldn't want the friendship, Karna would also support his brothers.

If she had after Varnavart, then perhaps they would have still been friends. Dhuryodhan had already made friends with him to overcome Pandavas. He would have wanted to hold onto Karna at any cost.

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582445

Hibernated

Posted: 12 years ago

I believe Duriyadhan truly and honestly considered Karna as his friend .. his initial motive is arguable but nobody can dare to question on his friendship .. the complex of this characters are difficult to land upon a clear and straight answer but if Duri come to know about Karna's real identity it would have been a beautiful critical situation between two friends .. I believe Dury would have simply lose his interest on winning war and getting the crown then .. and knowing karna it is easy to say he would easily sacrifices the crown too ..

The real question arrives here is would Yudhisthir sacrifice his right over the throne .. though he is called as Dharmaraaj but nowhere I found him doing anything that suits his title .. and according to a folklore yudhisthir's secret and highest wish was to rule over Hastinapur .. So if i question anyone here is yudhisthir not Dury .. Karna n Dury friendship was much more than game of power

Edited by SayaneeH.Lecter - 12 years ago

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Janaki

@RamKiSeeta

Achiever

+ 6

Posted: 12 years ago

Originally posted by: SayaneeH.Lecter

The real question arrives here is would Yudhisthir sacrifice his right over the throne .. though he is called as Dharmaraaj but nowhere I found him doing anything that suits his title .. and according to a folklore yudhisthir's secret and highest wish was to rule over Hastinapur .. So if i question anyone here is yudhisthir not Dury .. Karna n Dury friendship was much more than game of power

When Kunti revealed the truth of Karna's birth after the war, all the Pandavas were filled with remorse that they had killed their brother, though unknowingly, and Yudhisthir the most. No where in Veda Vyasa's MB does it say Yudhisthir was power hungry. He felt so guilty over Karna's death that he cursed Kunti that all of womankind would never be able to hold a secret again.

The only mistake Yudhisthir ever made in his life was to gamble away his kingdom, brothers, and wife during the dice game (that too can be arguable that he was following Dhritarastra's orders, but that's just my POV), but otherwise he truly was Dharmaraj in deed. I don't base my POV of the Pandavas or Kauravas on folklore or interpretations of recent authors. Veda Vyasa is the ultimate source and there, Yudhisthir is indeed Dharmaraj.

Edited by JanakiRaghunath - 12 years ago

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koolsadhu1000

@koolsadhu1000

Stunner

+ 3

Posted: 12 years ago

why i feel Duryodhan would be different to Karna

coz his equation with him was different than the rest of the Pandavas

with them he did not bother to ever bond with them or look under the layers of each individual personality as he rejected them outright as enemies , his point being ...they r not of Kuru blood , so NO right over Kuru kingdom .

With Karna he actually got a chance to bond and experience the layers of his personality ...after the initial assesment was over , he was exposed to him and liked what he saw . His might , loyalty [ he subjugated many kings for him and made him his vassals]his generosity , everything . If Draupadi awoke the beast in Karna with her slights , Duryodhan got to see his best side .

And after this if the truth was known to him , he would have emotional turmoil . Coz contrary to what they show , Duryodhan was not without emotions . As Sayaneeh Lecter says it would be a beautiful confrontation in the epic .

Hating Karna would not be as easy as hating the Pandavas .

Karna told Krishna that if i was made king of the Pandava half i would anyway give it to Duryodhan so this temptation is futile .

And Duryodhan knew of the extents of his nobility .

I believe he WAS emotional about Karna coz he almost swooned at hearing news of his death and had to be led by other kings to his war camp . Mentioned in original text .

So yeah , i believe his reactions would be different with him than the other Pandavas if his identity was known AFTER the friendship progressed considerably .

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Anuja

@anu93

Sparkler

+ 3

Posted: 12 years ago

#10

No ways he would have never befriended Karna then...Duryodhan only befriended Karna so that in future he would defeat Arjun who was undoubtedly a great archer and biggest fear of Kauravas. Afterall Duryodhan had his selfish motive behind crowning Karna

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