Karna -The Astrologer

When Krishna the lord of Universe offers Karna the lordship of the World to leave Duryodhan and side with Pandavas .

Karn said – “You are right, Krishn, I now know that whatever you have said to me that  Kuntee bore me when she was a maiden through her connection with Soorya. At the command of Soorya she abandoned me as soon as I was born without thinking of my welfare. Soot Adhirath found me and took me home. There his wife Raadhaa brought me up with all her affection. Adhirath gave me the name Vasusen. When I grew up, I married the wives according to his selections. I have now sons grandsons through them. My all rites and religious duties are performed with Soot. With Duryodhan I have enjoyed sovereignty for over 13 years. Now when Duryodhan has decided to fight with Paandav considering me as against Arjun, I cannot go back because of fear, death or bloodshed. If I do not indulge with Arjun in single combat, it will be an insult to both of us. 

I am sure that Paandav will do whatever you have said but for now, you must hide this for the benefit of both of us. Let Yudhishthir be king for ever. He has collected a great crowd of warriors. I am repenting for what I said to Paandav. Duryodhan is going to do a Yagya. When you will see me slain by Arjun then Punachiti of this Yagya will begin, when you will see Bheem drinking the blood of Dushaasan’s chest then the Som drinking of this Yagya will take place, and when the two sons of Drupad – Shikhandee and Drishtdyumn will overthrow Bheeshm and Drone, then this Yagya will be suspended for interval. When Bheem will kill Duryodhan then the Yagya of Duryodhan will be concluded. When all Kuru women will lament for their husbands and sons in the battlefield without their protector, it will be the last bath of this Yagya. [ Karna predicts the future ]

I just pray you that don’t let these Kshatriya be perished miserably for thy sake. Let them die by weapons in the most sacred place among the three worlds. Whatever you have in mind, accomplish it on this spot only. Till I face Arjun in the field, keep our talks secret.”

Krishn said – “O Karn, Don’t you wish to rule over the whole world? You know that Paandav’s victory is certain. Divine Bhaum has set up Hanumaan banner like Indra’s banner. Extended for one Yojan it will never be obstructed by any thing. When Arjun will twang his bow then that signs off all Yug (Sat, Tretaa and Dwapar). All kings will get excellent state after dying for Duryodhan in the battlefield.” Karn worshipped Krishn and said – “Knowing everything why do you want to baffle me? This war is going to happen. The great fierce planet Shani (Saturn) is afflicting the Nakshatra Rohinee which indicates the destruction on Prithvi. Mars is coming to Nakshatra  Anuraadhaa through Jyeshthaa indicating a great a slaughter of friends. Certainly a great calamity will come over Kuru family when the planet Mahaapat will afflicts the Nakshatra Chitraa. Moon’s position has changed and Raahu is also proceeding towards Soorya. A black circle surrounding the solar disc appears to view.” [ Karna’s command on astrology can be seen here ]

Krishn said – “Yes, The destruction of the world is at hand but you are not agreeing for it.” Karn said – “If we have come out of the war then we will meet here again, otherwise we shall surely meet in Heaven.” and embraced Krishn very hard. Keshav dismissed him and he came back with us.”

 

Kunti went to Gangaa River where she heard Vedic mantra chanting by her son. Karn was standing facing east, so Kuntee stood waiting behind him burning in hot Sun. Then she shifted under the shade of upper cloth of Karn. And Karn continued his prayers until his back was very hot with Sun. Then he turned back and was surprised to see Kuntee standing there. He saluted her properly and bowing his head Vrish (Karn), the son of Vikartan (Adhirath), said to her – “I am Karn, Raadhaa and Adhirath’s sson. Why have you come here and what can I do for you?”

Kuntee said – “You are Kuntee’s son, not Raadhaa’s, nor your father is Adhirath, nor you are born in a Soot family. I bore you when I was a maiden. You were born in the palace of Kuntibhoj. I gave you birth in my father’s house along with Kavach and Kundal on your body. You stand in Duryodhan’s camp not knowing your brothers, is not proper. Duryodhan has wickedly snatched Yudhishthir’s wealth. You take that wealth back from them and enjoy it. Let people call you like Raam Balraam. If you both are united what is in this world which cannot be accomplished?”

As Kuntee finished, Karn heard a soft loving voice coming from Soorya – “What Prithaa is saying is true. Follow her words, it is for your good.” Karn could not answer immediately because his heart was following only truth. He said – “I cannot accept what you have said to me. Although I should obey you as you are my mother. You abandoned me as soon as I was born. This was the greatest injury you did to my life and fame. Thus I was deprived of all the rights of Kshatriya. You have never thought about my good before this and you are telling me something for my good today? Who is not afraid of Arjun? And if I go to Paandav today, people will say that “I did so because of fright”. Just to fulfill my own desires how can I leave Duryodhan’s friendship? They always respect me, bow down to me and wait on me. I will surely fight with Paandav. However except Arjun, your other four sons will not be slain by me. I will fight only with Arjun. Whether he will be slain, or me, in both cases my life will be glorified and your five sons will always be alive.”

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Points to be noted in the above speech by Karna ;

• Karna Knew he was going to be slained by ARJUN
• Karna had complete knowledge of the Planetary scenario at the MAhabharata WAR , he was great astrologer as he completely predicts the future about Bheem slaying Kauravs .
• Karna was chanting Vedic mantra [ Only higher caste chant VEdic mantra , Karna was not considered Low born as depicted ,soota is not low caste or untouchable]
• One’s birth is not alone important in determining caste as much as His Sanskara , Karna had sanskara as SOOTA ,mark Karna’s words , and hence He remained a SOOTA all along even if Duryodhan gave him Kingdom, even if he was born a Kshatriya  . This was the point made in Vidyapradarshan BY BHEESHMA , when he objected to Arjun fighting Karna . That a Kshatriya should not fight with Soota at the competition .
• Karna admits to Duryodhan’s Soverignty to as recent as 13 years and Not from the day He was made the King . why?

• Karna was made the King when Yudhisthir and Duryodhan were around 25 years of Age .
• Then intermittently pandavas suffered treason in Varnavat .
• Then they were married in disguise .
• When Pandavas went to Vanvas , Yudhisthir was 57 years old .
• When they came back Yudhisthir was 70 years old .
• So Karna should have told 50 years of soverignty , why 13 years .
• because After Raajsooya Yagnya his Kingdom was snatched by BHEEMASEN and given back to him after his  acceptance of soverignty  of Yudhisthir .
• The kingdom of Yudhisthir was usurped in dice by Duryodhan and hence 13 years of soverignty .

Karna is persuaded by Lord ,but  to only Fight Arjun he refuses Krishna’s Proposal [  Lord’s command is not so important for him than his prestige [ego] that he will be declared coward . Lord could have as well made him a hero had he accepted , NO faith ! ]

Karna is persuaded by Kunti and SOORYA . He admits he must obey them but cannot for the desire of Fighting Arjun . Karna does not grant what his MOTHER asks for , only for his good ! [ DAANVEER of no use to MOTHER ].

krishnarpanamastu.

Superiority of Arjun vis-a-vis Karna – A Debate

Karna failed in Swayamvar . HE failed to even string the bow .

Surya counters  Radha’s son is not KARNA but brother of Karna

“And that bow which Rukma, Sunitha, Vakra, Radha’s son, Duryodhana, Salya, and many other kings accomplished in the science and practice of arms, could not even with great exertion, string”

Views of Prof Pandurangi –

HOD Sanskrit  Bangalore University Rashtrapati awardee , MAHAMAHOPADHYAYA Tirupati Sanskrit University

“First Shishupala tried and failed. Then, Jarasandha, Shalya tried and failed. In the case of Karna a ticklish point is raised. According to North India recession of Mahabharatha Draupadi remarked that “Naham Variyam Sutham” I do not like to marry a charioteer. On the other hand when Arjuna asks Dhristadyumna whether a Brahmana can participate in the svayamwara contest, Dhristadyumna replies that “Brahmano Vatha Rajanyo Vaishyo va shudra aeva va?” Whetehr one is Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya or Shudra if he can wield the bow and hit the mark, I shall give my sister. From this it is clear that Karna lost the chance by his incapacity bit not on the ground of his caste. The North Indian version seems to be interpolation.

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C Rajagopalachary view 

Sisupala, Jarasandha, Salya, and Duryodhana were among these unsuccessful aspirants. When Karna came forward, all the assemblage expected that he would be successful but he failed by just a hair’s breadth and the string slid back flashing and the mighty bow jumped out of his hands like a thing of life.

Vivekananda View

Now, there came kings and princes from different parts of India, all anxious to win the hand of the princess, and one after another they tried their skill, and every one of them failed to hit the mark.When all those princes failed in hitting the mark, then the son of King Drupada rose up in the midst of the court and said: “The Kshatriya, the king caste has failed; now the contest is open to the other castes. Let a Brahmana, even a Shudra, take part in it; whosoever hits the mark, marries Draupadi.” Among the Brahmanas were seated the five Pandava brothers. Arjuna, the third brother, was the hero of the bow. He lifted the bow in his hand, strung it without any effort, and drawing it, sent the arrow right through the wheel and hit the eye of the fish. 

Then there was great jubilation. Draupadi, the princess, approached Arjuna and threw the beautiful garland of flowers over his head

 

Karna -The Unfortunate ,jealous and egoistic Warrior

The birth of Karna was an unfortunate event . But Sympathy for Karna Stops here. Because at every stage God having helped him Karna outrightly chose his own selfish path annoying several along the way.For example

• When Drona refused to teach him , he went to Drona ‘s Guru Shri Parshuram to learn the astras.
• He lied to God Parshurama that He is Bramhin to learn astras.(God Knowingly teaches him all , because God knew Duryodhan would  wage a war against Pandavas only on the confidence of Karna’s capability.)
• But when caught Karna did not humbly accept his lie but persisted with it( Perhaps God would have forgiven him ,had he accepted) Hence he obtains curse that his learning will not help him in competition , all other times He would be unparalleled.
• Karna accepts Friendship of Duryodhana only to oppose Arjun.( Lack of morals)
• When Father (Sun)advises him not to give kavach kundal to Indra , he disobeys Father and gives it away.
• When Mother kunti asks him not to harm Pandavas, He displeases her saying He would kill Arjun
• When Lord Krishna offers him the entire Kingdom of the universe to join Pandavas as eldest brother in war , He rejects Lord’s suggestion and fights for Duryodhana.( Ego before the Lord)
• Was he loyal to Duryodhan? No , when Bheeshma calls him “ardharathi”, He does not enter battelfield for 10 days till Bheeshma falls. So much for a false friendship.(Given to anger)
• He was acclaimed as Daan Veer , but He had taken a vow that he would donate only till he kills Arjun, his dana was only out of ego and jealousy towards Arjun, to attain fame and not to please God or recipient .
• When Bheemasena striked on his chariot , he hid under the chariot in fear leaving his shakti astra , He was defeated thrice by Bheemasena during Rajsuya yagna ,this even when he had Kavach and Kunadala.(was he veer).

When one annoys so many elders , and is disobedient, given to falsehood , bitten by jealousy and ego and anger , can one expect success? One becomes the architect of his own misfortunes.Karna fell due to failure of chariot , lapse of memory absence of kavach kundala and shakti of Indra.

People born under aquarius lagna and navamsa are given to such characteristic , though they attain fame , and heroics in practical life it helps them in none , but only brings misfortunes.When both benefics and malefics aspect a particular house results are mixed in nature giving success and failure alternatively ,provided both benefics and malefics are of equal strength.

krishnarpana.