The Enigma of Karna...

I recently bought the newly released (around a year back) the bounded Mahabharat (Amar Chitra Katha). And as it happens whenever I read it , I end up thinking about Karna, the special place he holds in the hearts and minds of people. Most people sympathize with him and find the dilemma fate had put him in as tragic. And this never ceases to surprise me.

I always try and measure up the wrong which fate had in store with him. The circumstances around his birth which were tragic. His education under a lie. His deep sense of pride which ultimately led to him being under the self imposed 'karz' of Dhuryodhana. And to add to this was the belief that he was greatest warrior who was wronged when his Kavacha was taken away.

And then I try to balance this against the fact that he allowed Draupudi to be be humiliated, was unable to defeat Abhimanyu fairly in the battle, had a hand in surrounding and disarming Abhimanyu, Karna had also withdrawn when fighting Brihannala in the Virat war. Also I think by being a blind loyalist , he eventually ensured Dhuryodhana lost.

I think the admiration which a vast majority of people have for Karna also explains the kind of heros India even likes today. We are willing to forget or look the other way for wrong doings if we are able to convince our selves that fate / destiny had created circumstances for other wise a fine person. I think this remains of our biggest strengths as a culture and allows us always to remain inclusive and search for the good in the other.

So Karna remains an enigma for me. A brilliant but much flawed warrior (and not a flawed hero).