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Favor and Glory
As Karna's animosity towards Arjuna continued to grow, the gods decided to take the problem into their own hands.
Krishna approached Karna with answers to all the questions he asked. Krishna revealed that Kunti is his birth mother, which means the Pandava brothers are his half-brothers. Arjuna is his half-brother.
Krishna tried to entice Karna with the possibilities of the future. If Karna accepts his origins, he will be declared a legitimate emperor. With that also comes the privilege of marrying Draupadi like the other brothers.
"This news changes nothing for me. I have never doubted the love my parents give me, for they surround me with it. I remain loyal to those who have shown me such love," Karna replied. If Karna was anything, it was loyal. His loyalty was not only to his adopted parents, but to Duryodhana. A friend and supporter that had been there in times of trouble.
In front of Karna lie all the things he had thought he wanted. Instead, he realized, all the losses he endured were shaping him. Maybe his sole purpose was to kill Arjuna.
Krisha asked Kunti to reason with her son Karna.
As Kunti approached Karna, many emotions ran through her mind. Loss for the son she never had the chance to raise. Guilt for leaving him behind. Sadness, because of the circumstances that brought them together.
As Kunti confessed her wrongdoings to Karna, Surya appeared to confirm that he and Kunti are his birth parents.
Karna, now numb to the pain his birth mother had caused so long ago, was not fazed by Kunti's confession.
"You made your choice and you chose to discard me," said Karna. "I will not harm my other four brothers, but either Arjuna or I will die. And you will be left with five sons once again."
Surya at this point saw the path his son was heading down. He approached Karna in a dream and warned him of the evil and deception coming his way. Earthly and godly powers were joining forces to destroy him. He was not to give away the earrings and armored breastplate he was born with. Without these items, Karna would no longer be immortal.
Karna was known for his generosity. It was part of his reputation and his reputation was very important to him. What would people say if he didn't give? What great fame would greet him if he did give! Right then, still groggy from sleep, Karna decided that if he was asked to give away his immortal gifts, he would.
As all these events were transpiring, Indra, father of Arjuna, watched anxiously. He saw how devoted Karna had become to the idea of killing his son. He feared for Arjuna's life. With the help of his son, Indra devised a plan.
A few days later, a Brahmin approached Karna.
As Karna expected, the Brahmin asked Karna for his earrings and armor. Surya's voice echoed through his ears, but he paid no mind to it. He saw this as an opportunity to receive favor and glory for his kindness. He cut off his armor and earrings and handed them over without a second thought.
The Brahmin is surprised at this young warrior's kindness. He bestows his own gift upon Karna. The Shakti, a weapon that can only be used once to any person, mortal or immortal. This gift a representation of Indra's guilt of taking life away from Karna and giving life to Arjuna.
"You stole away any chance my son had at survival!" exclaims Surya. "You are the reason we are here!"
"What was I to do? Even you couldn't reason with your son. He was past reasoning," explains Indra. "It was him or Arjuna. And I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try something."
Indra, disguised as a Brahmin, gives Karna the Shakti weapon as a reward for his kindness.
Little did Karna know, it would lead to his demise.
Indra, disguised as a Brahmin, gives Karna the Shakti weapon as a reward for his kindness.
Author's Note:
- Karna has the opportunity to achieve all the things he ever wanted. Krishna presents him with the opportunity to become legitimate, to marry Draupadi, and to finally have a birth family. Karna is loyal to his loved ones, maybe sometimes to a fault. He rejects the family Krishna and Kunti offer. His loyalty lies with those who have always been there for him. Indra tries to squash Karna's ability to kill Arjuna by tricking Karna into giving away his immortality. Now, when Karna and Arjuna inevitably meet in battle, Arjuna will stand a chance. Karna realizes what his actions mean. But, in the moment, he was more concerned with how people would perceive him if he didn't practice generosity. At the end of the story we see that Surya has come to a moment of realization. While his son's anger has been building towards Arjuna, the point that almost ensures the death of Karna comes directly from Indra. Indra didn't see the death of another man's son, but rather, a way to keep his son safe. In the next and final story we'll see the moment that Arjuna and Karna finally meet on the battle field. And we'll see two fathers come to terms with their actions.
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