Karna, a complex hero of Mahabharata.

As some of you already know I grew up watching a series called Mahabharata with my grandmother. It is available on YouTube these days and I’ve linked to one of my favourite ever episodes.

In fact I would say that if you want an understanding of Hindu values and beliefs for your own knowledge or because you know someone who is from a Hindu background, then I’d recommend watching the series. Particularly for my generation and older, BR Chopra’s telling is the definitive version.

I personally find the characters to be very interesting and fascinating. Even though  they’re of a divine persuasion and are warriors living in a palace, I can see real life versions of them.

Other than the jovial and compassionate Lord Krishna, I also appreciate Karna and his unique back story. Unlike his rival, the star warrior and something of a ladies man, Arjuna, Karna is as capable but continually looked down on. He frowns and paces the room, like an emo version of Arjuna and yet like others in the audience I can not begrudge him for doing so. In fact we empathise strongly.

The difference between Karna and Arjuna is more than just a comment on the caste system that plagues India. Arjuna is royalty and treated as such. Karna is a “lowly” charioteers son and mistreated throughout his life. Yet he rivals Arjuna in archery skills and is an asset to any army.

He never fit in with his fathers philosophy of serving a higher caste Master. Instead Karna worked his way up using his intellect, willingness and ability to learn quickly to become a warrior rivalling Arjuna. Is Karna rewarded for this? Only partially and mostly remained disrespected and mocked by his peers and even elders.

However, there’s a reason why Karna feels like a misfit. When Lord Krishna confronts  him and tells him that he is actually from royalty, Karna finally feels the missing pieces fit together. However instead of abandoning his loyalties, he tells Lord Krishna that regardless of the news and whilst inside he now knows the truth, he will carry on as he is. He will stay loyal to his friends and to the side he has picked because he owes them.

Karna is a man with integrity and this is why this episode and this character is so engaging. As Krishna implies, Karna is too good for this world.

I remembered this story today as I thought of my own troubles.

Karna’s story reminds me that probably the most decent man in Mahabharata went through life building friendships and relationships. Yet he was misunderstood, enough to change the course of history, in Mahabharata anyway.

Like all who comment on this episode with their praise for Karna, we are obviously not him but we can relate to the universal story that shaped his life.