Chapter 12 Karna and Duryodhana Friendship
The first person who taught the Pandavas and the Kauravas how to use weapons was Kripacharya, then Drona afterwards. The royal family and the general public were invited to watch the performance of their adored princes, thus a day was set aside for a test and demonstration of their ability in the use of guns. There was a sizable and fervent audience.
The large crowd was in awe of Arjuna’s superhuman ability with his swords and lost in admiration. Envy and hatred darkened Duryodhana’s brow.
The sound of huge arms being slammed together in challenge suddenly emanated from the arena’s entrance at the end of the day. It was loud and compelling like thunder. Everyone looked in that way. A godlike youngster with the appearance of light and might entered through the gathering as it moved aside in reverent quiet. He surveyed his surroundings with pride, gave Drona and Kripa a careless salute, and then marched over to Arjuna. The brothers were facing one another since it was Karna, but they were all ignorant of it due to the sad irony of fate.
Karna said, “Arjuna, I shall demonstrate greater ability than you have exhibited,” in a voice as loud as rumbling thunder.
Karna, the battle-loving man, immediately and carelessly imitated all of Arjuna’s accomplishments with Drona’s permission. The joy of Duryodhana was great. He encircled Karna in his arms and uttered: “O thou of powerful arms, whom fate has given to us, welcome. You have control over both this Kurus empire and me.”
Karna said: “O king, I, Karna, thank you. I just want two things: your love and a one-on-one fight with Partha.”
Again holding Karna close to his chest, Duryodhana remarked, “My wealth is all thine to enjoy.”
Arjuna, who felt insulted, was filled with scorching rage just as love flooded Duryodhana’s heart. “O Karna, murdered by me, thou shalt soon go to the inferno assigned for those who invade uninvited and prate unbidden,” he exclaimed, casting a ferocious glare at Karna who was standing there, majestic as a mountain peak, receiving the congratulations of the Kaurava brothers.
Karna mockingly chuckled: “O Arjuna, you are not the only one who may enter this arena. Law is predicated on the idea that might is the sanction of sovereignty. But what good is simple language, which is the weak person’s weapon? Instead of using words, shoot arrows.”
So challenged, Arjuna quickly embraced his brothers and prepared for battle with Drona’s approval. While Karna approached him with a sword in hand after leaving the Kuru brothers.
Indra, the ruler of thunderclouds, and Bhaskara, the ruler of infinitrays, simultaneously emerged in the skies, as though the heroes’ heavenly parents want to support their children and watch this crucial struggle.
Kunti fell out when she saw Karna because she recognised him as her firstborn.
She was resurrected when Vidura gave the maidservant instructions to tend to her. She was inconsolable and in agony, not knowing what to do.
They were about to engage in combat when Kripa, who was knowledgeable about single combat laws, came in between them and said to Karna: “T “The prince, who is prepared to fight with you, is a Kuru race scion and the son of Pritha and Pandu. O mighty armed, reveal your parents’ names and the race you were born into. Partha can only battle with you after learning about your family history since high-born princes are not allowed to face up against lone adventurers without understanding their background.”
Karna bowed his head as if a lotus was being drenched by rain as he heard these remarks. Standing up, Duryodhana said: “If Karna’s status as a commoner prevents the fight from happening, that can be readily fixed. Karna is now proclaimed the ruler of Anga.” Then, after receiving the approval of Bhishma and Dhritarashtra, he carried out the requisite ceremonies, gave Karna the crown, jewels, and other symbols of the Anga kingdom, and invested Karna with its rule.
The ancient charioteer Adhiratha, Karna’s foster father, joined the gathering with his staff in hand and trembling in terror just as the young heroes’ fight appeared to be about to start.
As soon as Karna, the recently crowned king of Anga, saw him, he immediately bent his head in filial homage. The elderly man addressed him as son, gave him a hug with his frail and shaking arms, and began to cry with delight, drenching his already dampened head with tears of affection.
Bhima screamed in delight at this sight and said: “He is only the son of a charioteer, after all! then, as befits thy ancestry, take up the driving whip.
You are not deserving of Arjuna’s execution. You shouldn’t be the ruler of Anga either.”
Karna’s lips quiver in agony at this obscene words, and he sighed deeply as he stared up at the setting sun.
But Duryodhana interrupted angrily: “I “is unworthy of you to say such things, O Vrikodara. A kshatriya is known for their courage. Finding the origins of legendary figures and powerful rivers is also somewhat pointless. I could list several examples of brilliant people who came from humble backgrounds for you, but I know it would raise difficult questions about your own background. Take a look at this warrior with his godlike build, demeanour, armour, jewellery, and weaponry. He must have some mystique about him. For how could an antelope give birth to a tiger? Did you claim that the monarch of Anga is unworthy? I genuinely believe he is deserving of international leadership.”
Duryodhana loaded Karna onto his chariot and fled in a fit of benevolent rage.
The throng departed in a commotion as the sun sank. Under the light of the lamps, there were many groups talking loudly, with some praising Arjuna, others Karna, and yet others Duryodhana depending on their preferences.
Indra anticipated that his son Arjuna and Karna would engage in a last combat. He then dressed as a brahmana and went to Karna, who was known for his generosity, asking for his armour and earrings. Indra would attempt to trick Karna in this way, the Sun god having previously forewarned him in a dream.
Karna, however, could not bring himself to turn down any request for a present. As a result, he removed the jewellery and armour he was born with and handed them to the brahmana. The ruler of the gods, Indra, was surprised and delighted. He thanked Karna for doing what no one else would and encouraged him to seek for any boon he desired after receiving the gift.
“I want to obtain your weapon, the Sakti, which has the ability to slay opponents,” Karna retorted. The blessing was bestowed by Indra, but with a fatal condition. He stated: “This weapon can only be used against one adversary, and it will kill that enemy regardless of who he may be. But once the killing is done, you won’t have access to this weapon anymore; instead, it will be given back to me.” With those last words, Indra vanished.
Karna went to Parasurama and pretended to be a brahmana in order to gain his discipleship. He discovered from Parasurama the incantation for wielding the legendary Brahmastra sword.
A stinging worm once burrowed into Karna’s leg as Parasurama lay back with his head on Karna’s lap. Blood started to spill, and the agony was excruciating. However, Karna endured it without trembling out of respect for his master, who was sleeping. When
Parasurama awakened, he was faced with the bloody wound. He stated: “You are not a brahmana, dear student. Only a kshatriya can resist all physical suffering. Be honest with me.”
Karna admitted that he had lied when he claimed to be a brahmana and that, in reality, he was the son of a charioteer.
In his rage, Parasurama cursed the man with the following words: “The Brahmastra you have learned will fail you at the predetermined time since you betrayed your teacher. When your hour arrives, you won’t be able to remember the invocatory incantation.”
Due to this curse, even though Karna had recalled the Brahmastra spell up to that point, he was unable to recall it during the critical moments of his final battle with Arjuna. Duryodhana’s devoted buddy Karna stood by the Kauravas through thick and thin.
Karna took command of the Kaurava army after Bhishma and Drona were defeated, and he led them valiantly for two days. The wheel of his chariot ultimately became caught in the ground, and he was unable to raise it and move the chariot further. Arjuna murdered him while he was in this dilemma. The fact that Kunti had to hide her sadness at the moment made it all the more painful.
Keep Mahabharat Book at Home and Read Daily – DO NOT FALL TO FAKE PROPAGANDA and Allow Enemies to Weaken our Dharma and Bharat
This historical epic Mahabharat is known as fifth Veda. It is a common misconception spread by mlecchas; muslims and christian missionaries, and secular Hindus that reading Mahabharat or keeping it at home will likely lead to arguments and fighting. All of this misinformation was spread by illiterate mlecchas and anti-Hindus, and it is completely incorrect. It is done to mentally weaken Hindus so that they avoid reading Mahabharat. Because Mahabharat invokes bravery, pride and sense of confidence in Hindus.
Keep a copy of Mahabharat at home and read it online at the HariBhakt website. Mahabharat is rightly called the fifth Veda for Kaliyuga people because it is a tool and guidance to invoke confidence and bravery in Sanatan Dharmi Hindus.
You can read complete Mahabharat by following Chapter links given below. You can check Glossary of Mahabharat here.
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