THE TEMPTATION OF KARNA :

INTRODUCTION:

. The Mahabharata’s Importance

• The Mahabharata is a grand epic that goes beyond being

just a story; it encompasses culture, history,
philosophy, and cosmology.
• It is often called itihasa (meaning “thus it happened”)
and is seen as an endless work, comparable to the
Vedas in its depth and scale.
• It Is considered both a historical narrative and a moral
guide, discussing past, present, and future.

. Karna’s Background
• Birth and Abandonment:
• Karna is the son of Kunti and the sun god, Surya. Kunti
had received a special mantra that allowed her to
summon any deity and bear their child.
 • She tested the mantra and had Karna, but being
unmarried, she abandoned him to protect her
reputation.
• Karna was found by a charioteer couple, Adhiratha and
Radha, who raised him as their son. They named him
Vasusena.

Symbolic Birth:

• Karna was born with divine armor and earrings,

symbolizing his power and immortality.
• Despite his glorious origins, his upbringing placed him
in a lower caste, creating conflicts later in life.

. Karna’s Loyalty and Struggles

• Relationship with Duryodhana:

• Karna became a loyal friend to Duryodhana, who
recognized his martial prowess and made him the king
of Anga. This enabled Karna to challenge Arjuna,
despite caste restrictions.
 • Karna’s loyalty to Duryodhana stemmed from gratitude,
as Duryodhana supported and respected him when
others ridiculed him for his perceived low birth.

Challenges in Life:
• Karna faced many hardships due to his caste, despite
being a great warrior.
• He remained committed to his principles, even when
faced with temptations and moral dilemmas.
The Temptation of Karna (Book V)

Revelation of His Birth:

• In Book V, Krishna and Kunti reveal to Karna his true
identity as Kunti’s son and a kshatriya (warrior caste).
• Kunti appeals to him to join the Pandavas, but Karna
refuses because of his loyalty to Duryodhana.
• Moral Dilemma and Decision:
• Krishna tempts Karna with offers of power and wealth if
he switches sides, but Karna remains steadfast in his
loyalty to Duryodhana, who gave him dignity and
position when he had none.
 • Out of respect for Kunti, Karna promises not to harm her
other sons except Arjuna, ensuring that she will always
have five sons, regardless of who dies in battle.

• Despite knowing his fate, Karna upholds his dharma

(duty) as a friend and warrior, refusing to betray
Duryodhana.

Part I: The Advice of Krishna

• In the beginning of this section, Dhritarashtra, the blind
king of the Kauravas, asks his advisor Sanjaya what
Krishna said to Karna when he invited him to his chariot.
Dhritarashtra is curious to know what advice Krishna
gave Karna.
• This passage describes an important conversation
between Krishna and Karna, where Krishna tries to
convince Karna to join the Pandavas and leave the
Kauravas, and Karna explains his reasons for refusing.
Dhritarashtra and Sanjaya’s Concern
Dhritarashtra: The blind king of the Kauravas, is curious
about what Krishna says to Karna during their meeting. He
asks Sanjaya, his advisor, to share what Krishna told Karna.

Krishna’s Argument to Karna

• Krishna Reveals Karna’s True Birth: Krishna tells Karna
that he is not really the son of a charioteer (Suta). He is
actually the eldest son of Pandu, born to Kunti before
her marriage. According to the scriptures, if a son is
born to a woman before marriage, he is still considered
the son of her husband. So, Krishna explains that Karna
is the rightful heir to the Pandavas, making him their
eldest brother.
• Offer to Karna: Krishna tries to persuade Karna to leave
Duryodhana and join the Pandavas. He paints a picture
of the royal life Karna could have, with respect and
honor from his Pandava brothers, a grand welcome, and
even marriage to Draupadi, who is shared by the
Pandavas. Krishna says that if Karna accepts, he will be
celebrated as a king and join in the festive ceremonies.
Karna’s Refusal

Karna listens to Krishna but politely refuses. He gives two

main reasons for his decision:

• Loyalty to His Adoptive Parents: Karna was raised

by Adhiratha and Radha, his foster parents, with
love and care. Even though he now knows his true
birth, he feels a deep moral obligation to them. He
cannot abandon them, no matter the wealth or
power offered to him.
• Loyalty to Duryodhana: Karna is also loyal to his
friend Duryodhana, who made him a powerful and
respected leader. Duryodhana gave Karna the
status he has Now, and Karna is indebted to him.
He cannot betray Duryodhana, especially since
Duryodhana is relying on him for the success of the
Kauravas in the battle.

• Karna also knows that the Pandavas are destined

to win, but he still feels it is his duty to stand by
Duryodhana and fight in the war. He even requests
Krishna not to reveal this secret about his true birth
 to the Pandavas because it might cause
Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, to refuse the
throne out of moral duty.

Karna’s Final Thoughts

• Karna acknowledges that the destruction of the
Kauravas is inevitable. He can foresee that he will be
killed by Arjuna in battle, and Duryodhana will meet his
end at the hands of Bhima. He prays that the Kauravas
die honorably in battle, as Kshatriyas (warriors) should,
so they can reach heaven and their bravery will be
remembered.

Krishna’s Further Temptations

• Krishna again asks Karna if he is not tempted by the
offer of kingship and victory. He describes the grim
future of the Kauravas in battle, showing how the
Pandavas will eventually triumph, marking the
beginning of the Kali Yuga (the age of decline). Krishna
reminds Karna that this fate is inevitable, and all the
Kauravas will die following Duryodhana’s commands.
Karna’s Final Stand
Karna questions Krishna, asking why Krishna is trying to
tempt him when Krishna already knows the future. He says
that the destruction of the world is already written in the
stars, and all the omens and signs are in favor of the
Pandavas. Karna knows that they will win. He tells Krishna
that he will not change his mind and bids him farewell,
returning to his side.

ANALYSIS OF PART 1:

• Krishna tries to convince Karna to join the Pandavas,

revealing his true identity as their eldest brother and
offering him wealth, honor, and respect, hoping to
prevent the war.
• Karna refuses, stating that he cannot abandon his
adoptive parents, Adhiratha and Radha, or his loyal
friend Duryodhana, even though he knows the war's
outcome is inevitable.
 • Karna asks Krishna to keep his true identity a secret, as
it could cause Yudhishthira to reject the throne, and he
desires an honorable death for the warriors in the battle.

Part II: The Confession of Kunti

In this part of the story, Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, is
deeply troubled about the war that is about to take place.
She fears for her family and is torn between her duties and
the consequences of the war. She decides to reveal a secret
to Karna, the great warrior, hoping to persuade him to join
her sons, the Pandavas.
• Vidura talks to Kunti about how helpless he feels in
stopping the war, as even Krishna couldn’t change the
Kurus’ mind. He also criticizes Dhritarashtra for blindly
supporting his sons without seeing the truth.
• Kunti feels torn between two fears—losing the respect
and dignity of her sons by refusing to fight, and the pain
of killing her own family members in the war.
• In an emotional moment, Kunti decides to tell Karna the
truth—that he is her son, born through a blessing from
the sun god, and she’s been hiding it all these years.
• Karna, feeling betrayed, questions Kunti for abandoning
him and wonders why she’s reaching out to him now,
just before the battle.
 • Karna refuses to betray Duryodhana, who has always
been there for him, but he makes a promise to Kunti that
he will only fight Arjuna.
• Karna vows that either he or Arjuna will survive,
ensuring that Kunti will still have five sons, though one
may be lost in the battle.

ANALYSIS OF PART 2

• Kunti revealed Karna’s true parentage, hoping he would

join the Pandavas to secure their safety in the war.
• Karna, however, refused, feeling bound by his loyalty to
Duryodhana and his moral duties to his birth parents.
• His decision reflects the difficult choice between family
loyalty and personal principles.
In this part of the story, Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, is
deeply troubled about the war that is about to take place.
She fears for her family and is torn between her duties and
the consequences of the war. She decides to reveal a secret
to Karna, the great warrior, hoping to persuade him to join
her sons, the Pandavas.

THEAMES :

• The Question of Dharma and Morality: Karna’s struggle

with his duties to family, friends, and personal values
creates moral dilemmas that define his actions
throughout the epic.
• Karna: The Tragic Hero: Karna’s potential is
overshadowed by his loyalty and fate, making him a
tragic figure bound to a path of destruction.
• Identity Crisis in Karna: Karna’s conflict between his
royal lineage and humble upbringing fuels his inner
turmoil and shapes his sense of self and decisions.