Reading Notes: Part C Mahabharata

Karna whose mother was Kunti.  She had wish four wish for having four children but one of the wish she used before the she got married to King Pandu.  King Pandu who is the father Pandu brothers.

Karna who siding with the Kauravas in the battle against Pandu brothers.  Everyone knew that he is invincible because he had invincible armor and earrings.  Indra learn that in the battle against Arjuna and Karna, his son Arjuna would lose to Karna because of the invincible armor.  All of the Pandu's children father is god and therefore Karna was granted with armor when he was born by his father Suryadeva.

Indra knows that Karna will give anything to Brahmins if they ask.  So Karna's father Suryadeva went to warn him that Indra will come to ask for your armor and earrings.  As he was praying in the morning to his father Suryadeva, Indra comes by taking the form of Brahmins and ask Karna to give him his armor and earrings.  Karna already know who it was but he said many time that "I can't give you because I was born with it."  Indra was not giving up his request and Karna was saying ask anything else.  Finally, Karna said to Brahmins "I know your Indra and you have come to take my armor and earrings." So Karna was like what would you give me in exchange.  Indra give him his dart called Vasava and he can only use if he is not angered otherwise it would rebound and fall upon himself.  After that he gave him his armor and earrings and Indra went back to heaven.

Isn't it foolish to give his armor and earrings even though he knew that he was not Brahmins but God Indra.  I like that he would not let anyone return empty handed if someone ask him of anything.  I can understand that Karna's character was someone who would not like anyone to face the same situation he had faced in the past.  Without considered outcome he will face in the future, he still went and give his armor and earrings which made him invincible.  It was good and really nice guy but siding with Kauravas was biggest mistake.

Bibliography:  Author Sister Nivedita, PDE Mahabharata: Karna and Indra.

Indra giving Vasava to Karna