Tag: history

Jyoti Basu passed away on January 17, 2010, at a Kolkata hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 95 years old at the time of his death, leaving behind a legendary legacy in Indian politics.

In the Mahabharata, Karna was born to Kunti through her invocation of Surya, the Sun God, making Surya his biological father. Kunti received a boon from Sage Durvasa that allowed her to invoke any deity and bear a child. She tested this boon by invoking Surya before her marriage, resulting in Karna's birth. This divine parentage is central to Karna's character arc.

Parashurama is the correct answer. After Dronacharya refused to teach Karna (due to his low birth), Parashurama, who hated Kshatriyas, taught him advanced archery and warfare. When Parashurama discovered Karna was a Kshatriya (not a Brahmin as claimed), he cursed Karna that he would forget his skills when needed most. Ekalavya was self-taught. Krupacharya was the Kuru teacher who initially rejected Karna. Balram was Krishna's brother, not Karna's teacher.

According to the Mahabharata, Karna received three major curses that contributed to his death: 1) Parashurama's curse that he would forget his skills when needed most, 2) A Brahmin's curse that his chariot wheel would sink into the earth during battle, and 3) Mother Earth's curse that she would not support him when he needed ground stability. These three curses converged during the Kurukshetra war.

After being rejected by Drona and other gurus due to his low birth, Karna was made the king of Anga by Duryodhana as a gesture of friendship and loyalty. Anga was an ancient kingdom located in present-day Bihar. Karna ruled Anga faithfully and supported Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra war. Magadha was ruled by Jarasandha, and Gandhara was the kingdom of Shakuni.

Karna's most defining trait was his legendary generosity (dana veera). He earned the title 'daanveer Karna' for his unwavering willingness to give away anything to those who asked, including his divine armor and earrings (kavacha and kundala) to Indra, and even his life to Kunti. While he was also skilled in archery and warfare, generosity is what distinguished him most in the epic.

Indra, the king of gods and father of Arjuna, disguised himself as a poor Brahmin and approached Karna to beg for his kavacha (armor) and kundala (earrings). This was a strategic move to weaken Karna, who was invincible as long as he wore his divine birth armor. Karna, known for his generosity, gave them away despite knowing the Brahmin's true identity.

Karna used the divine weapon Shakti (given to him by Indra in exchange for his armor) to kill Ghatotkacha, Bhima's half-demon son, who was single-handedly decimating the Kaurava army at night. Karna had been saving this weapon for Arjuna, but Duryodhana implored him to use it against Ghatotkacha, forcing Karna to sacrifice his most powerful weapon.

Karna fought as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army on the 16th day of the Kurukshetra war. After Duryodhana appointed him following the death of Drona on the 15th day, Karna led the army for two days (16th and 17th) before his death.

Karna died on the 17th day of the Kurukshetra war. He had been commander for only two days (16th and 17th) before his fatal confrontation with Arjuna. The 16th day was when he became commander, but he died the next day.