Karna

Reading the Mahabharata by the Tungabhadra - Day 14

Day 14 of reading the Mahabharata - reflecting on the tragic tales of Bhishma and Abhimanyu, questioning the choices that led to their fates and the cruel nature of duty and honor.

My very first introduction to the Mahabharata was one of two comics, from Amar Chitra Katha, bought at the railway station in Mumbai, over twenty years ago. It was either the story of Karna or the story of Abhimanyu, I cannot recall which one it was. I remember reading both when I was younger and being enthralled with the battles they fought. Both, naturally are tragedies, extremely famous. ...

Reading the Mahabharata by the Tungabhadra - Day 11

Day 11 of reading the Mahabharata - lamenting Duryodhana’s choices, questioning why he refused peace offers from Yudhishthira, Krishna, and even Bhima.

Oh Suyodhana! Oh, Suyodhana! Why won’t you listen to them? When Sanjaya gave you the message sent by DharmaRaja, why did you mock him? When Krishna Vasudeva himself descended with mighty Rishis, why did you ridicule his offer of peace? When even the mighty Bhimasena sent you word of reconciliation, why did you laugh at him? Oh Duryodhana! Did you think that Karna, stripped of his Kavacha and Kundala, could stand up against the likes of Dhananjeya? ...