Retelling of Mahabharata: Karna’s Interpretation

Karna's Wife: Book Review
Mahabharata beholds many fascinating characters and when we come to think of it, each would have a different opinion of the pre war scenario and the war itself. Karna is the most intriguing character, and a little mis understood; I must say. Kavita Kane with this book brought out the best argument on Karna’s part through his wife, Uruvi. So far in the versions of Mahabharata read I found a portrayal of Karna, the suthputra as a great warrior, generous human being, and a faithful and genuine friend and clever person but lacking the moral sense of good and bad. 

Mahabharata, with all kinds of logarithms applied is still difficult to imagine if the war was actually preventable. Every version of Mahabharata ha been biased towards the P

andavas and hence in most parts we find ourselves mouthing for them to finally win the great war and establish their reign over Indraprastha and Hastinapur. Reading the book got me thinking about the following which as been explored very well by the author but the certain which emerge as themes to ponder over:

The culture of niyoga:

Kuru empire after the death of King Shantanu who married a low caste Satyavati; she made Bhishma pledge that he or any his predecessors will never contest for the Kuru thrown. But eventually with Shantanu’s death in an untimely manner after the birth of his three halting sons; it was Bhishma who took the charge and kidnapped three Kashi princess for caring forward the Kuru dynasty. Vichitavirya turned out to be an impotent husband and hence Queen Satyawati arranged for niyoga for the princess with her illegitimate son Rishi Vyaas. But due to his appearance blind Dritrashtra, pale and anaemic Pandu and low caste Vidura were born. Later due to the Sage Kindam’s curse on Pandu even Kunti and Madari practiced niyoga with various gods for procreating the Pandavas. Meanwhile, Gandhari out of disappointment of losing the birthing race, misconceived her child, who was later test tubed by sage and so hundred kauravas were born. 

When the whole of Kuru race was kept alive by practicing niyoga why did it matter so much when it came to accepting Karna. Even Vidhura who was born of the maid and Sage Vyas was well respected and even made the prime minster in the royal court. Why these double standards were applicable when it came to Karna. And why was it that Kunti was able to bear the wrath of Hasthinapur when she returned from forest with five infants after Pandu's death; but she could never muster enough courage to disclose the lineage of Karna. But yet when the time came, everyone seemed to know the bit of gossip; Krishna (because he is the God), but Bhishma, Vidura and most of all Draupadi were concealer of this truth. 

Negative Upbringing: Similarities between Draupadi and Duryodhan

King Dritrashtra always suffered a reprehension, he has this suppressed desire to rule the throne. Due to his deformities Vidura lawyered his way out and Pandu became the king. Same way he lost in the race of birthing as well, as Yudisthir was born before Duryodhan. Hence, throughout his life Duryodhan lived his life in the bitterness of his father’s aspiration. Gandhari never really showed any affection towards the son, a mother who could cause her own miscarriage because Kunti delivered Yudisthir first; she let Duryodhan become Shakuni’s project. Gandhari,who blindfolded herself refrained herself from looking the downfall of her son in guidance of her own brother. 

Similarly Draupadi, who was produced from yagna his father performed to get a son to destroy Dronacharya. She was the undesired daughter, the Yagnaseni. She had to sacrifice her ambition and love at various occasions. She had to deny her love towards Karna, so that she could get married to Arjuna and fulfil his father’s dream of destroying the Kuru empire. She bore the grunt of Kunti at various stages of married life; it was a ploy to get all five of her sons share Draupadi; so that they remain united.  She had to tolerate the humiliation at Hastinapur Court by Dushashan and Duryodhan after Yudisthir lost her in the dice game. 

In more than one ways the two characters of Mahabharata are similar but yet their dissimilarities are more appalling and probably the cause of the great war. 

Love Triage: Draupadi, Karna, & Arjuna

Draupadi’s love for Karna and his for her is apparent in many ways. Draupadi insulted Karna in her swayamwar because she was destined to marry Arjuna and so did Karna at the Hastinapur court, to avenge his contempt. There are reasons to believe that Arjuna had clues about this coveted love. This could be the reason that Karna had  indrawn enmity towards Arjuna, but not any other Pandava. He even promised that he will not kill any other Pandav but Arjuna. There was no reason not to believe that this love affair was not known by Kunti and she was also seen dissuading the same at various instances. 

Downplay of Bhishma & Krishna

Bhishma the great warrior of Kuru empire who seem to be running the show until Pandavas came to been is portrayed as the person collaborator in various secrets and agendas of foul play. Whether it is knowing about Kunti’s first born or about Draupadi’s affection for Karna. Same is the story with Krishna. When major decisions were made by two key players in the past, why did they refrain and kept them aloof from the pre determinants of the war. 

Precocial Karna

Although its agreed upon that Karna was the greatest warrior on the face of earth, most generous and extraordinary human being; but why did he deny himself the opportunity of reclaiming the status of being a kshatriya and a celestial born,  being the emperor of Hastinapur and Indraprastha, primary husband of Draupadi, have brothers like Pandava and a great friend as Duryodhana. He could be the missing link from the whole story; if given an opportunity why did he not cease it. It could  have been a win-win situation for all. A perfect hindi movie happy ending.

Kunti: the key to all? 

The final unanswered question is that if Kunti knew all along that she is the one who could stop the great war, the untimely demise of her grandsons and great grandsons. Was it her aspiration to be always superior to Draupadi (not be called kulta (a women who shares her body with more than 3 men) . Or was it that she actually preferred Arjuna the most among all his sons and she wanted hime to get all the glory. Or was it that she been aware of Draupadi’s feelings never wanted her to have Karna and suffer the longings as she did. 

There are questions to be answered, there are speculations to be made within the great history, the significant past. And the most interesting part is that, the interpretations may vary every time a different character is appraised. This is a must read for all the enthusiasts of Mahabharata. I applaud the author for this brilliant piece of work.