Reading the Mahabharata by the Tungabhadra - Day 16#
Karna.
Oh Karna!
My aunt tells me that her favourite character from the Mahabharata is Vaikartana Karna. The son of the Sun, the unwanted Kounteya.
Dhaana, Veera, Soora Karna. When Indra asked for your Kavacha and Kundalas, you gave them up, knowing full well that he was doing it to make you vulnerable in battle. When you were faced with the task of taking down Ghatotkacha, you used the Pashupati weapon, knowing that it would return to Indra after one use.
Oh Vaikartana! How can anyone not cheer for you? Even given your hatred for the Pandavas?
Cast away by Kunti, tricked by Vaasudeva, you have always been forsaken what is rightfully yours.
Today I went to read the Mahabharata by the Tungabhadra, and I did. I sat in an abandoned temple to Vishnu, and spoke to idol, asking him why he constantly put the Suryaputra in pain. As I read about Karna’s death, I moved away from the shade and sat under the light of the sun. It seemed fitting that way.