In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the “Shalya Saarathyam” wherein we’re seeing how King Shalya constantly keeps discouraging Karna from advancing forward with his pursuit towards Arjuna. Whenever Karna makes a bold statement exuding confidence of winning, King Shalya mocks him and pulls him down with his negative statements. Even though whatever King Shalya says seems to be negative, there are in-depth meanings to it. He indirectly keeps warning Karna that there’s no point in fighting against Arjuna when Bhagawan Krishna is with him. He’s only trying to protect Karna by somehow taking him out of this war. For this, King Shalya tries his best by seemingly demotivating Karna with the story of the crow and the swan and wantedly saying that Karna is just like the crow which only talks and does nothing on the ground! However, inspite of all these insulting talks, Karna is determined to go for the fight and prove a point at Kurukshetra.
Moving on further thus, as King Shalya completes the story of the crow and swan, he narrates the moral of the story very interestingly here. He says thus, “Oh Karna! Please understand – The crow which we were talking about is none other than you! The swans which we were talking about are none other than the Paandava brothers! The “Vaishyas” who gave a lot of food and kept encouraging the crow are none other than Duryodhana and Co.! Oh Karna! Duryodhana has unnecessarily given you a lot of luxuries and motivation, not knowing that you are just like the crow in this story! Your capabilities are no match to that of Arjuna! This unwanted motivation from Duryodhana makes you feel that you are like the “Hamsa” birds! Hence, Oh Karna! I’m telling this for your benefit only – Even now it is not too late. Please go to Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna and seek surrender. Fall on Bhagawan Krishna’s divine lotus feet and seek forgiveness for all what you’ve done knowingly or unknowingly against the Paandava brothers! Bhagawan Krishna is extremely compassionate. He will accept you even now without any pre-conditions!”
Thus we can see here how King Shalya guides Karna in the right direction, even though till now we might have thought that he is demotivating Karna constantly. The ultimate point here is that King Shalya wants Karna not to be on the side of Duryodhana. King Shalya knows that Karna is an extremely capable warrior and the country should not lose him. However, if he says this straight on his face, Karna wouldn’t accept. Hence, King Shlaya tries a different route of seemingly demotivating him, so that this may trigger Karna to change his mind from being on Duryodhana’s side, to being on Arjuna’s side. Hence, if we look at the entire “Shalya Saarathyam”, readers should not mistake the intent of King Shalya here. It is only that he’s trying his best to push Karna away from the impending danger to his life.
As King Shalya says thus, is Karna going to pay heed to his words? The answer is “No”! Karna replies back thus, “Oh King Shalya! I did not want you beside me in my chariot to seek such advice. I know what I’ve to do. I know that my life is in danger. I know that I’m against Bhagawan Krishna, who is not going to let me win this war ever! However, my agenda of fighting this war is different – Duryodhana has done so much to me as a friend. At a time when I was deserted completely by everyone at the “Ranga-Bhoomi” during my childhood days, Duryodhana was the only person who came to my rescue! Oh King Shalya! You do not know how much I felt insulted and humiliated on that decisive day! Even though I had the talent, I was denied to exhibit my prowess, just because I was a charioteer’s son! It was Duryodhana who came to my rescue and made me the king of Anga Desha. Had Duryodhana not done this at that time, where would I have been today? Hence, as a token of gratitude to him, I’m fighting for him. I know that he’s going on the path of “Adharma”. But I’ll still give my life by fighting for him!”
Saying thus, Karna decisively answers King Shalya and for today, let us understand up to this point. Continuing his accord further thus, Karna is now going to talk of his two impending curses that he had obtained earlier during his tenure with his Guru Parasurama. In fact, these two curses are going to haunt Karna during the upcoming war with Arjuna and it is believed that Karna lost the battle only because of these two curses that he possessed! We shall continue with what Karna is going to tell King Shalya further in the next episode! An important accord awaits us! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 