Om Suryaya Namaha
ॐ सूर्याय नम:
Salutations to the dispeller of darkness
This is the second fablesrus story on Karna. The first on https://www.fablesrus.com/post/karna-s-karma tells us about his birth, early life and why Lord Krishna referred to Karna as Daanveer.
This is a story that is recounted only in some versions of the Mahabharata. Though not verified for its authenticity, this story bears telling.
Karna is perhaps the greatest tragic hero of the Mahabharata. Many decry him for having sided with Duryodhana in the great battle. Yet despite the diverse views on Karna, the son of Surya Devta and princess Kunti, the one thing that both his detractors and supporters agree upon is his large-hearted generosity. There has never been an occasion when Karna denied anyone their request.
The extent of his self-sacrificing nature can best be ascertained by the fact that he was ready to lay down his life for his friend Duryodhana who had once supported him when no one else would.
Karna’s father Surya Devata had given him a Kavach (breastplate armour) and Kundalas (ear-rings) to protect him. Both these were attached to his body. The kavacha and kundalas made Karna’s body impenetrable, no matter what weapon was used against him. This meant that it was near impossible for anyone to kill Karna.
Arjuna was Lord Indra’s son and Indra fearing for Arjuna’s life disguised himself as a Brahmin and requested Karna for his Kavacha and Kundalas. The altruistic
Karna unhesitatingly tore the Kavacha and Kundalas off his body and handed them over to Indra. This despite knowing that being in the midst of the Mahabharata war he was now an easy target for his enemies and was in all certainty going to die.
On the 17th day of the Mahabharata War, Arjuna aimed his anjalika astra (celestial weapon) at Karna. Karna, the General of the Kaurava army, fell to the ground. He was mortally injured and blood flowed copiously onto the dusty battle field. Karna was gasping for breath when a Brahmin approached him. Looking down at Karna the Brahmin said, “Karna, I have heard that you are the most charitable person in the whole universe.”
Hearing a voice Karna opened his eyes with great effort. He saw the Brahmin standing beside him. The Brahmin having got the attention of the dying man continued, “I come to ask you for a gift I have been told that you never refuse anyone anything.”
Karna parted his blood stained, dust encrusted lips and with heavy breath whispered. “What is it you want? If there is anything I can give you I will gladly give it to you.”
The Brahmin replied, “I wish for a little gold. Will you give it to me?”
Karna was surprised at the Brahmin’s request. As he was lying fighting for his last breath he wondered how he could fulfil the Brahmin’s request. However true to his principle he longed to give the holy man what he wanted. So great was his desire to be charitable that even in death he found a way to be magnanimous. It struck him that he had some gold teeth in his mouth (In ancient times it was customary for decayed teeth to be replaced with gold). With effort he said to the Brahmin, “The only gold I have is in my teeth. Respected Sir, please could you pull out my teeth and take the gold in them.”
The Brahmin looked at Karna with horror. His expression indicated that he was revolted by Karna’s suggestion. The thought of having to put his hand into a dying man’s mouth was to him unthinkable. He said to Karna, “I’m a pious Brahmin. I have taken a bath and purified myself completely. How do you expect me to pull teeth out of your mouth? “
Karna gasped apologetically, “Please forgive me. I did not mean to offend you.”
Then Karna though devoid of all physical strength, bleeding heavily and gasping for breath managed to stretch his arm and grope the ground he lay upon. His hand located a stone lying not far from where he lay. Stretching as much as he could he grasped the stone firmly in his hand. Then lifting his hand above his face he dashed the stone against his teeth with as much force as he could muster. It took just one blow for Karna to knock off a few teeth.
Once again he opened his now bloodshot eyes. He arranged the teeth in his right palm. He extended his open palm to the Brahmin and rasped, “Sir, the gold in these teeth is all the gold I have to offer. Please take them.”
This time, the Brahmin almost wretched in disgust as he said, “The very sight of these teeth dripping in blood leaves me faint. Have you no respect for a religious man? First you ask me to perform the vile deed of pulling teeth out of your mouth. Now you offer me teeth dripping in blood. How can you expect me to take them? It was a mistake on my part to ask you for anything. It’s best that I be on my way. You are in no position to give me anything. Having heard of your reputation as a man of charity I had thought that you might wish for your last act before dying to be a charitable one. It’s best that I leave you now and be on my way.”
Karna whose whole life had been dedicated to generosity gathered all the strength left in his body as he begged, ‘Wait. Please wait.”
He took out an arrow from his quiver and pulling it across his bow which was lying beside him he shot the arrow towards the sky. The arrow hit a grey cloud that burst into crystal clear rain drops. Karna held the fallen teeth in his outstretched palm and the raindrops washed them clean. Surya Devta came out from behind the cloud to bless his son in whose outstretched palm now lay perfect pieces of pure gold, shining and glimmering in the sun’s bright rays.
“Swami” said Karna, "Forgive me for upsetting you, Here I offer to you with humility the gift of gold. Please do me the honor of accepting it.”
Exhausted Karna lay back on the battlefield floor. The Brahmin came close to him to pick up the pieces of gold. Karna looked up and asked, “Sir who are you?’
The Brahmin now revealed his true identity and replied, “I am Krishna. I have tested your spirit of sacrifice on numerous occasions but never have you fallen short in your generosity. I commend and admire your spirit of self-sacrifice. Even in the most trying situations, even while facing death you have been unwavering in your magnanimity. Ask for any boon and I shall grant it to you”
A beatific smile appeared on Karna’s face. His lack luster dying eyes now sparkled with an inner joy. He folded his hands and replied, “Lord it is the most cherished desire of every living creature to see a vision of the Lord before they die. You have come and blessed me with your presence. There is absolutely nothing more I can ask for.”
LIFE LESSONS
1. We too like Karna must try to be charitable and generous.
2. The nobler the person the more he is willing to sacrifice.
3. From Karna we can learn how to be less selfish and self-centered.
4. True love is all about putting others before oneself.
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