We are at a critical juncture on Day Seventeen at Kurukshetra wherein the marquee showdown between Karna and Arjuna is continuing for hours together unabated! Even though Karna faces several setbacks especially with the “Naaga-Asthram” being neutralized, he is in no mood to relent. Karna is giving more than his 100% to the fight and at times, Arjuna is struggling to keep up with his intensity. At one point when Karna is weaponless, Bhagawan Krishna asks Arjuna to destroy Karna’s chariot. Accordingly, Arjuna targets the chariot’s wheels and as a result, Karna’s chariot breaks down instantly. Also, the chariot’s wheels get stuck into a hole on the ground and are unable to move any further. Sensing this, King Shalya knows that Karna has got into a huge trap and at this crucial juncture, leaves Karna behind and walks away! So now, Karna has to defend himself all alone in front of Arjuna. On one hand, he is trying to lift the chariot back to its position, and on the other hand, Arjuna is aggressively calling Karna to fight. At this time, Karna decides that ordinary arrows are not going to kill Arjuna, and the only way to do so is through powerful “Asthrams”. However, Parasurama’s curse is starting to work on Karna at this crucial juncture and Karna forgets the key “Mantras” which are essential for the correct “Prayogam” of the “Asthrams”.
As all these events unfold rather quickly, Karna realizes thus, “Oh! It seems that my time of death is nearing! As per the curses that I had accumulated, the Brahmana Rishi and Parasurana have said that their curses will come true at a crucial point which would lead to my death! It now looks as if this time has come closer, with Bhagawan Krishna in the forefront as well!” Thinking thus, Karna’s heart breaks and starts shedding tears! This is a very emotional moment in the entire Mahabharata story wherein an epitome of “Dharma” is reduced to this extent. Karna laments loudly thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! Till today I’ve worked tirelessly for the protection of “Dharma” at all times. However, look at my pitiable state today! My chariot’s wheels have given up! My charioteer has deserted me! There’s nobody around me to defend and protect me! Is this what “Dharma” is all about? Will “Dharma” forsake its ardent followers? Now let me tell this openly in front of Bhagawan Krishna Himself – “Dharma” is extremely opportunistic! It will never protect anyone who follows it properly! We should only keep protecting it every time! This is the truth of this entire world!”
As Karna laments with tears in his eyes, Bhagawan Krishna looks at him and asks back thus, “Oh Karna! Till now where did this “Dharma-Chintanam” go? Why didn’t you realize the significance of “Dharma” earlier? You’re thinking about “Dharma” only after your chariot’s wheels have given up, aren’t you? Oh Karna! Just because you are in trouble today, it doesn’t mean that “Dharma” doesn’t protect the entire world! Do not generalize your case to the entire world!” As this conversation is going on between Karna and Bhagawan Krishna, Arjuna stops attacking Karna for a few minutes, even as Karna is still trying to lift the chariot’s wheels from where they are stuck on the ground. Upon seeing Arjuna stopping to attack Karna, Bhagawan Krishna turns His attention towards Arjuna and says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Why did you stop employing your arrows on Karna? If you have an enemy in front of you, it is your duty to not let him escape. You’ve to go for the kill. Why are you stopping in the middle?”
As Bhagawan Krishna asks thus, Arjuna replies back thus, “Oh Bhagawan! How can I attack someone who is not having his weapons in hand? Moreover, Karna is weeping bitterly and is having an important conversation with you on “Dharma”. I’m just waiting for this conversation to get over, before I start attacking him again!” As Arjuna says thus, Bhagawan Krishna gets slightly angry. He replies thus, “Oh Arjuna! Why are you bothered about what I’m talking with Karna? Your duty is to fight with Karna and kill him. Do your duty without deviating from it. Oh Arjuna! This is the biggest problem with you – Given a chance, you are only interested in running away from your duty! This is an extremely bad attitude that you’re having! Moreover, if a Kshatrya warrior has lost one chariot, he has to get into another chariot immediately and start fighting again! This is “Raaja-Dharma” and “Yuddha-Neethi”. If Karna has lost one chariot, so what? He can always get into a hundred other chariots around, can’t he? If Karna has lost his bow, he can take a hundred other bows and start fighting again, can’t he? If he loses a sword, he should take another sword immediately and continue fighting, isn’t it? This is the characteristic of a “Maharati”! Moreover, Karna is no ordinary person – He’s the “Senapati” (Leader) of the Kaurava army. He should not succumb so easily like this! So Arjuna! If Karna doesn’t realize his duties, why are you bothered? You go for the kill and do your duty properly!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna lets out a bit of anger upon Arjuna and motivates him to go ahead and attack Karna, even though he is helplessly standing on the ground! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall witness what Arjuna is going to do hereafter! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 