Karna, one of the most tragic figures in the Mahabharata, was known for his extraordinary skills, loyalty, and generosity. Yet, his life was marked by deep sorrow, rejection, and curses that ultimately led to his downfall in the great Kurukshetra war.
Karna’s birth was itself extraordinary. He was born to Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, long before her marriage. As a young woman, Kunti received a boon from Sage Durvasa, which allowed her to summon any god and bear a child by them. Curious to test the power of the boon, Kunti invoked the sun god Surya. To her amazement, she conceived a child—a radiant boy born with divine armor and earrings that granted him invulnerability. But out of fear of societal shame, Kunti abandoned her newborn son by setting him afloat in a basket on the river.
The child was found by a charioteer, Adiratha, and his wife, Radha, who raised him as their own, naming him Karna. Though Karna grew up as the son of a charioteer, he was determined to become a great warrior, just like the Kshatriyas (warrior caste). However, his low birth meant that he was often humiliated and denied proper training by the great teachers like Dronacharya, who only taught royal princes.
Karna and Parashurama’s Curse
Determined to learn the art of warfare, Karna approached the revered sage Parashurama, a master of all weapons, and requested to become his disciple. However, Parashurama only taught Brahmins, and Karna knew he would be rejected if he revealed his true identity as a charioteer’s son. So, Karna lied, claiming he was a Brahmin, and Parashurama accepted him as his student.
Under Parashurama’s guidance, Karna became one of the most skilled warriors in the world, mastering the use of divine weapons. But one fateful day, while Parashurama rested with his head on Karna’s lap, a giant insect bit Karna’s thigh. Blood began to flow, but Karna, determined not to disturb his guru’s sleep, endured the pain silently. When Parashurama awoke and saw the blood, he was shocked. Realizing that only a Kshatriya, not a Brahmin, could bear such pain without flinching, he accused Karna of lying about his identity.
Furious, Parashurama cursed Karna: “When you need your skills the most, when your life depends on it, you will forget all that I have taught you!” Karna, devastated, pleaded for forgiveness, but Parashurama’s curse was irreversible. However, out of respect for Karna’s dedication, Parashurama blessed him with the powerful weapon Brahmastra, though he warned him that it would not help in the moment of his greatest need.
Karna and the Curse of a Brahmin
Karna’s life continued to be riddled with misfortune. In another instance, while practicing archery, Karna accidentally killed a young calf belonging to a Brahmin. Enraged, the Brahmin cursed him: “Just as you have killed my innocent calf, when you are engaged in battle, your chariot wheel will sink into the earth, leaving you vulnerable and helpless.”
Karna’s fate was now sealed with two deadly curses, both of which would play a pivotal role in the final moments of his life.
Karna’s Loyalty to Duryodhana
Despite these curses, Karna rose to prominence, thanks to his unparalleled skills and unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas. Duryodhana, recognizing Karna’s abilities and seeing in him a potential ally against the Pandavas, crowned him the king of Anga, thus elevating his status. Karna, deeply grateful to Duryodhana, swore eternal loyalty to him, even though it meant fighting against his own brothers—the Pandavas—in the future.
Karna became Duryodhana’s most trusted friend and commander, and though he was often ridiculed by the Pandavas, especially by Arjuna, Karna never wavered in his devotion to his friend. His lifelong rivalry with Arjuna would culminate in a dramatic and fateful encounter on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
The Revelation of Karna’s Birth
As the Kurukshetra war drew near, Karna’s life took a surprising turn. Kunti, tormented by the secret she had kept all these years, finally revealed to Karna that he was her firstborn son, making him the eldest of the Pandavas. She pleaded with him to join his brothers and abandon Duryodhana, but Karna refused. Though he was deeply moved by the revelation and felt love for his brothers, he could not betray Duryodhana, the man who had given him respect and friendship when the world had rejected him.
Karna promised Kunti that he would not kill any of the Pandavas except Arjuna, but he also warned her that she would still lose one of her sons in the war.
The Death of Karna
On the 17th day of the Kurukshetra war, Karna faced his greatest rival, Arjuna, in a dramatic one-on-one battle. As they fought, the moment of Karna’s curses arrived. Just as the Brahmin had foretold, Karna’s chariot wheel sank into the mud, rendering him vulnerable. Desperately, Karna tried to lift the wheel from the ground, but to his horror, he found that Parashurama’s curse had taken effect—he forgot the incantations needed to summon his divine weapons.
In that moment, Karna pleaded with Arjuna to honor the rules of war and allow him to free his chariot wheel, but Lord Krishna, Arjuna’s charioteer, reminded Arjuna of all the injustices Karna had committed in his loyalty to Duryodhana, including his role in the humiliation of Draupadi. Krishna urged Arjuna to strike while Karna was defenseless.
With a heavy heart, Arjuna released his arrow, which struck Karna and ended his life. Karna’s death marked a turning point in the war, paving the way for the Pandavas’ eventual victory. However, the sorrow of his life lingered in the hearts of all who knew him. Even after his death, when his true identity as Kunti’s son was revealed, the Pandavas mourned for the brother they had unknowingly fought against.
Karna’s Legacy
Karna’s story is one of great talent, loyalty, and tragedy. Despite his divine birth and exceptional skills, he was often a victim of fate and society’s prejudices. His unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana, despite knowing his brothers’ identity, and his unfortunate curses, make him one of the most complex and tragic characters in the Mahabharata. His life teaches us about the harshness of destiny, the importance of loyalty, and the deep conflict between personal bonds and moral duty.