KARNA - THE HEARTSTEALER OF MAHABHARATA

KARNA - THE HEART STEALER OF MAHABHARATA

In mahabharata days, Karna was the most famous warrior having fan following all over the world. Karna used to steal hearts of people by his greatness. This post is meant to unfold fan following of Karna in mahabharata days. All characters in fan following are either neutral or special pro-pandava  who were gratified by karna

It must be note that there no human in ENTIRE HISTORY except karna who fought against supreme god of universe (lord krishna) still loved by all great characters. Lord krishna stood to protect pandavas so pandavas having some fan following on the reference of lord krishna or Indra is not big deal but karna earned his fan following by his manliness not by any application of supreme god

[Image Source : Mahabharata Star Plus]

PART-1 : FANDOM OF KARNA FROM MAHABHARATA

A] HASTINAPUR LADIES

Adi Parv, Section-126
 

Dhritarashtra’s sons stood next to Karna. Bharadvaja’s son,Kripa and Bhishma stood next to Partha. The assembly was divided into two parties, including the women.

EXPLAINATION –

Entry scene of karna in mahabharata was the start for fame of his military career. Unknown karna entered the rangbhoomi and more than half famale fandom of arjuna was stolen by karna within few moments just by his performance. This was the main reason for jealousy of arjuna.  Instead of to support their prince, hastinapur ladies began to support unknown karna who was introduced to them just before few moments

• Hearts of Women/Ladies conquered

B] GODS, ASURAS, HUMANS, SIDDHAS

Vana Parv, Section-294

He grasped his sharp sword and began to cut up his entire body. On seeing Karna cut up his own body, the gods, humans, danavas and masses of siddhas began to roar, because despite the pain, there were no distortions on his face. Celestial drums were sounded and divine flowers were showered down from above, at the sight of Karna, the brave man, smiling repeatedly as he cut up his own body with the sword.

EXPLAINATION –

During armour donation scene, all fans of karna approached to worship Karna including gods, humans, danavas and siddhas

• Hearts of Gods conquered
• Hearts of Humans conquered
• Hearts of Danavas conquered
• Hearts of Siddhas conquered

C] LORD KRISHNA

Udyoga Parv, Section-138

[Krishna to Karna]

I will myself follow you and so will all the Andhakas, Vrishnis and Dasharhas. O lord of the earth!

EXPLAINATION –

Lord Krishna was the one who selected karna over arjuna. He was the first choice of lord krishna as lord krishna himself wanted to walk behind chariot of karna. Unfortunately, Its karna who rejected his follower lord krishna for his loyalty and righteousness

• Heart of Lord Krishna conquered

D] BRAHMANAS AND BARDS

Karna Parv, Section-6
 

‘In the great battle, may you defeat Partha and Govinda, together with their followers.’ O bull among the Bharata lineage! These were the benedictions pronounced by bards and brahmanas. ‘Be like the rising sun, the destroyer of darkness through its fierce rays. May they, together with Keshava, not be able to look at your arrows. May those ungrateful ones look on them as the blazing rays of the sun. May the Parthas and the Panchalas not be able to stand before you.

EXPLAINATION –

Another fan club of karna consist of Brahmanas and great Bards who blessed Karna on 16th day for his upcoming victory over arjuna. According to Brahmanas/Bards, Karna was like sunrays and Arjuna was the symbol of darkness

• Hearts of Brahmanas conquered
• Hearts of Bards conquered

E] KING YUDHISTIRA

Karna Parv, Section-46

[Yudhistira to Arjuna]

O Dhananjaya! I have been frightened about him for thirteen years. I was not able to sleep at night. Nor could I be happy during the day. O Dhananjaya! Because of my enmity towards him, it was as if I was burning. I was like a rhinoceros or an elephant, knowing that it was going to die. O lord! I continuously thought about the time when he would go to Yama. How would I bring about Karna’s destruction in the battle? O Kounteya! Whether I was awake or sleeping, Karna was always in front of me. I saw him everywhere. The entire universe was full of Karna. O Dhananjaya! Wherever I went, I was frightened of Karna. And wherever I went, I saw him stationed in front of me. I was forced to run away from that brave one in the battle. O Partha! I was defeated, with my horses and my chariot and he let me escape with my life. What is the point of remaining alive? What again is the point of the kingdom? I have been shamed by Karna, the ornament of a battle. What was not obtained by me earlier in the battle with Bhishma, Kripa and Drona, has been obtained by me in the encounter with the maharatha son of a suta.

EXPLAINATION –

Yudhistira was the special fan of Karna who always followed karna even in his dream for 13 years. He was suffering from some schizophrenia disorder hence he saw entire universe consumed by countless karnas. Karna had destroyed yudhistira everywhere even in his dream. The great ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ was nightmare for ‘Shane Warne’ in same way Karna was nightmare for yudhistira

• Dream of Yudhistira conquered

F] ALL GODS, SIDDHAS, RISHIS

Karna Parv, Section-56

O descendant of the Bharata lineage! All the gods, siddhas and supreme rishis were satisfied at the dexterity shown by the great-souled Karna. The great archers, the sons of Dhritarashtra, applauded that best of men. Karna was best among supreme rathas. He was foremost among all archers

EXPLAINATION –

One of the biggest fan club of karna including all gods, siddhas and supreme rishis began to praise Karna for his dexterity in battle. After stringing Vijaya bow, Karna was unstoppable like lord mahadeva. All of them adopted the side of Karna and enjoyed humiliation of pandava warriors by the hand of karna

• Hearts of ALL gods conquered (all gods includes Brahma, Durga  and Lord Shiva)
• Hearts of Siddhas conquered
• Hearts of Rishis conquered

G] SHALYA

Karna Parv, Section-57

[Shalya to Karna]

In the battle, you are the only one who can withstand the two Krishnas in an encounter. O Radheya! It is your burden that you must fight against Dhananjaya. You are as accomplished as Bhishma, Drona, Drona’s son and Kripa. Drive your chariot against Savyasachi and counter Pandava. He is like a snake with a flickering tongue. He is roaring like a bull. O Karna! He is bent on destruction, like a tiger. Slay Dhananjaya.

EXPLAINATION –

Shalya was the same person who was appointed by yudhistira, arjuna and bhima to brainwash Karna in battle. All pandavas had plotted against karna using shalya as medium and shalya too did exactly as begged by pandavas. Shalya spent just one day with karna and his heart was stolen by greatness of karna within few hours (perhaps shalya was laughing at heroic flight of arjuna from bhargavastra). Beholding valor of karna, Shalya adopted the side of karna and began to expose arjuna calling him wicked snake. In mahabharata, karna was the only person who was able to steal heart of his enemy.

YOU CAN HID FLOWERS NOT ITS FRAGRANCE…!!!

• Heart of Shalya conquered

H] SKY, NAKSHATRAS, GUHYAKAS, CROWS, YATUDHANAS, TWELVE ADITYAS

Karna Parv, Section-63

O lord of the earth! The sky and the nakshatras became anxious on Karna’s account.

The asuras, the yatudhanas, the guhyakas, crows and others who travelled through the sky were on Karna’s side.

while the Adityas were on Karna’s side

EXPLAINATION –

Before final encounter with arjuna, all creature was divided into two sides. Some of them adopted the side of arjuna for the sake of lord krishna (they were supporting lord krishna againtst Karna) still some of them took the side of Karna. Another fan club of karna which includes 12 Adityas (twelve adityas includes lord vishnu), Yatudhanas, Guhyakas, Crows, Sky and Nakshatras (here you can find some species like crows which were considered to be evil supporting Karna as Karna was favourite of all species. Karna was supported by all categories beings be it righteous or unrighteous)

IT WAS EASY TO WIN HEART OF RIGHTEOUS PERSON BUT TO WIN HEART OF UNRIGHTEOUS PERSON WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ALL EXCEPT KARNA

• Hearts of 12 adityas conquered (twelve adityas includes lord vishnu)
• Hearts of Yatudhanas conquered
• Hearts of Guhyakas conquered
• Hearts of Crows conquered
• Sky conquered
• Nakshatras conquered

I] HUMAN BEINGS/ORDINARY PUBLIC

Shanti Parv, Section-5

You know about all this. Thus, through the power of his weapons, he became famous on earth.

Karna Parv, Section-68

There was nothing, not even his own life, which he would not give away to brahmanas. He was always loved by men. He was generous. He loved giving.

EXPLAINATION –

The text says that Karna was the famous warrior on earth (Digvijay was another reason as karna conquered entire bharatvarsha hence he was well known all over the world having tremendous fandom overseas. He was also loved by common human beings (public)

• Hearts of human beings conquered (Public)

J] NATURE

Karna Parv, Section-68

When Karna was killed, the rivers stopped flowing. The sun was tainted and set. The blazing planets coursed in a diagonal direction. O king! Yama’s son arose. The sky seemed to divide into two parts. The earth seemed to shriek. Extremely harsh and forceful winds began to blow. The directions seemed to blaze fiercely, with a lot of smoke. The giant oceans were agitated and roared loudly. O venerable one! The groves, mountains and large numbers of beings were distressed and trembled. Brihaspati afflicted Rohini and assumed the complexion of the moon and the sun. When Karna was killed, the directions were covered in darkness and could not be distinguished. The firmament and the earth seemed to move. Flaming meteors showered down. Those who travel during the night were seen to be delighted. Karna’s head was as beautiful as the full moon and Arjuna brought it down with a razor-sharp arrow. Loud sounds of lamentation were heard among beings in heaven, in the sky and on the ground. In the battle, Arjuna killed his enemy, Karna, who was revered by the gods, the gandharvas and men.

EXPLAINATION –

The biggest and most loyal fandom of karna was nature itself. After the death of karna, nature paid tribute to Karna. All creature began to cry for Karna. All animals were filled with pain. It is said that on that days there was deadly silence in heaven and all beings of heaven lamented for their idol karna as he was worshipped by all of them. There was NO OTHER character of mahabharata who was loved by Nature (प्रकृति) like Karna. Infact same nature didn’t cry after the death of any pandavas in himalaya or Bhishma/Drona/Vidura. The ONLY HUMAN who was adorable for nature was Suryaputra Karna

• Hearts of large number of beings conquered (possibly animals)
• Hearts of Gods conquered
• Hearts of Gandharvas conquered
• Hearts of Men/Human beings conquered
• Hearts of Trees (groves) conquered
• Hearts of heaven beings conquered (all those who lived in heaven)
• Rivers conquered
• Planets conquered (Including Brihaspati)
• Sky conquered
• Earth conquered
• Directions conquered

K) GANDHARVAS, APSARAS, SIDDHAS

Shalya Parv, Section-60

Sanjaya said, “O descendant of the Bharata lineage! When the king of the Kurus concluded these words, a large shower of flowers, with auspicious fragrances, rained down. Gandharvas and large numbers of apsaras played on musical instruments. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Siddhas uttered words of praise. Fragrant, delicate and pleasant winds began to blow, mixed with sacred scents. The sky became beautiful and clear, with the complexion of lapis lazuli. On seeing these wonderful sights, they, with Vasudeva at the forefront, were ashamed and honoured Duryodhana. On hearing that Bhishma, Drona, Karna and Bhurishrava had been slain through adharma, they grieved and wept in sorrow. The Pandavas were distressed and immersed in thought.

EXPLAINATION –

Another fan club of Karna which includes large number of apsaras, gods and siddhas. All of them blamed pandavas for unfair death of Karna. Apsaras, Gandharvas and Siddhas began to cry for unfair death of Karna and other kuru warriors.

• Hearts of Gandharvas conquered
• Hearts of large number of Apsaras conquered
• Hearts of Siddhas conquered

L] GODS, GANDHARVAS, RAKSHASAS AND YAKSHAS

Shanti Parv, Section-2

Karna resided on Mahendra, supreme among mountains, and met gandharvas, rakshasas, yakshas and gods there. There, in the proper way, he obtained all the weapons from the best of the Bhrigu lineage. Because of this, he was loved by the gods, the gandharvas and the rakshasas.

EXPLAINATION –

Just like Shalya. All gods, gandharvas, rakshasas and yakshas spent some time with karna. As usual they couldn’t escape from falling for Karna. Karna was loved by all Gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas and Rakshasas. Be it rigtheous or unrightoeous, no one could escape from his greatness. He was favourite of all communities hence he had most numbers of followers in those days

• Heart of Gods conquered
• Heart of Gandharvas conquered
• Heart of Rakshasas conquered
• Heart of Yakshasas conquered

M] LORD PARSHURAMA

Shanti Parv, Section-3

Narada said, “The tiger among the Bhrigu lineage was pleased with the strength of Karna’s arms, affection, self-control and the service he showed towards his preceptor. He was also excellent in austerities. Therefore, in the proper way, that supreme of ascetics taught him everything about brahmastra, about its release and means of withdrawal.

EXPLAINATION –

It is easy to please lord shiva (bholenath) being innocent lord but its not easy to please angry lord parshurama. Infact lord rama himself faced hardship to gratify lord parshurama in sita swayamvara. Lord rama was able to please parshurama only after stringing vaishnava bow which was equal/superior to broken Shiva’s bow. Same lord parshurama was gratified by strength and skill of Karna. He had accepted karna as disciple only because of his talent (even bhishma need application of ganga but karna earned it by his own talent). Lord parshurama was highly pleased seeing such extraordinary disciple

• Heart of Lord Parshurama conquered

N] KING JARASANDHA

Shanti Parv, Section-5

On seeing that his body was about to face this hardship, the king cast aside all enmity and spoke these affectionate words to Karna. ‘I am pleased.’

EXPLAINATION –

King jarasandha who even captured 90 kings and never praised anyone even after fighting lord krishna finally bowed down before karna. Jarasandha was gratified by karna’s strength. Infact bhima also failed to please jarasandha. All kings of earth including bhagadatta, shishupal and many other bowed before jarasandha and same jarasandha was great follower of karna for sparing his life

• Heart of Jarasandha conquered
 
PART-2 : OVERVIEW OF FANDOM OF KARNA FROM MAHABHARATA

• Creature conquered
• Sky conquered
• Nakshatras conquered
• Rivers conquered
• Planets conquered (Including Brihaspati)
• Earth conquered
• Directions conquered

• Hearts of human beings conquered (Public)
• Hearts of Beautiful ladies of hastinapur conquered
• Hearts of large number of forest beings conquered (possibly animals)
• Hearts of Trees (groves) conquered
• Hearts of Supreme Brahmanas conquered
• Hearts of Great Bards conquered

• Dream of King Yudhistira conquered
• Heart of Lord Krishna conquered
• Heart of Lord Parshurama conquered
• Heart of King Jarasandha conquered

• Hearts of heaven beings conquered (all those who lived in heaven)
• Hearts of ALL gods conquered (all gods includes Brahma, Durga and Lord Shiva)
• Hearts of large number of Apsaras conquered
• Hearts of Siddhas conquered
• Hearts of Rishis conquered
• Hearts of Yakshasas conquered
• Hearts of Gandharvas conquered

• Hearts of Yatudhanas conquered
• Hearts of Guhyakas conquered
• Hearts of Crows conquered
• Hearts of Rakshasas conquered
• Hearts of Danavas

A] INNOCENT NON-LIVING/IMMOBILE ELEMENTS OF NATURE – Creature, Sky, Nakshatras, Rivers, Planets (Including Brihaspati), Mountains, Wind, Earth and Directions

B] INNOCENT LIVING ELEMENTS OF NATURE – Human beings (public), beautiful ladies of hastinapur, living beings of forest (animals), Trees, Brahmanas and Bards

C] SPECIAL FANS FROM MAHABHARATA – Yudhistira, Lord Krishna, Lord Parshurama and King Jarasandha

D] DIVINE BEINGS OF MAHABHARATA (MOST OF THE TIMES THESE BEINGS FOLLOWED RIGHTEOUSNESS) – All heaven beings, All gods (it include Brahma, Durga and Lord Shiva), Large number of Apsaras, Siddhas, Rishis, Yakshas and Gandharvas

E] EVIL BEINGS OF MAHABHRATA (MOST OF THE TIMES THESE BEINGS FOLLOWED UNRIGHTEOUSNESS) – Yatudhanas, Guhyakas, Crows, Rakshasas and Danavas
 
[It was almost impossible to win heart of these beings but nothing was impossible for karna and his greatness]

PART-3 : UNIQUE FANDOM OF KARNA IN MAHABHARATA

1) Karna was the ONLY HUMAN who was dream for supreme lord and even lord Krishna wanted to walk behind the chariot of karna
 
2) Karna was the ONLY HUMAN who was supported by nature and its elements
 
3) Karna was the ONLY HUMAN who was supported by all communities be it divine or evil beings.
 
4) Karna was the ONLY HUMAN who succeed to steal heart of enemy within one day just by his valor alone
 
5) Karna was the ONLY HUMAN who earned tremendous followers all over the world without any application/reference by his manliness alone although he was just low cast suta’s son for entire world (then just imagine…how would be his fame as surya’s son?)

Hail Death Conqueror Karna...!!