Week 7 Story: Karna The Great

Princess Kunti summons Lord Surya. Source: TheGreatIndianEpic

It was a beautiful day. Kunti rose with a smile on her face and could feel Surya casting his rays upon her skin. Her jet black hair flowed delicately off of her shoulders and cascaded down her back. Her jewels sparkled in the light, and her gold bangles clinked together to create a magical sound unlike others. She knew that what was ahead of her today would be for the better. As she prepared for the day and readied herself for morning rituals, she sang with the birds and had a jump in her step.


"What can I owe such happiness to?" she wondered.
As she walked about the palace, Kunti passed Raja Kuntibhoja. He yelled to her, "Kunti, my dear, please come here. I have someone you must meet!" Kunti went to meet the King and he introduced her to the Sage Durvasa.
Raja Kuntibhoja explained to Kunti how the Sage is a guest for a year and that it is her duty to care for him. She was delighted to care for her guest, as her generosity was a highlight of her character. She spent the year tending to his every need and providing him with whatever he asked for. He was so pleased with her hard work and generosity that he granted her a boon.
"Kunti, you have been so lovely over the year without any mishaps. I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality. For you I shall grant you this mantra that you may use at your disposal and have a son from the gods who is equal to them," he said.
Kunti, as mature as she may have been but still naive in her ways, was grateful for this boon but was curious if it actually worked. Her young, teenage self chanted the mantra with the proper tones and power in her voice to the sun god, Surya. He presented himself to her and gave her her first son, Karna, who was birthed embellished with ear-rings and armour.
Kunti was astonished that the mantra worked, but she was only a young teenager who was also very much unmarried. She begged Surya, "please take him back I am only sixteen years old and unmarried."
Surya responded, "I cannot, Kunti. You chanted the mantra, you must take him."
Devastated at her actions, Kunti looked at Karna and felt remorse. "How could I have acted so foolishly? Of course the mantra would work. A sage gifted it to me."
She took a look at Karna and her eyes welled up. A beautiful sight Karna was. His full head of hair, fair skin, and golden brown eyes captivated her from the first look. She could see a magnificent glow in his eyes that truly reflected Surya. She decided to keep him. She could not give up her first son, and it was her responsibility as she had cast the mantra. But what would she tell the King? She must be honest, she thought. We can only find out from there.
Kunti took Karna in her arms and walked back to the palace from the river by which she cast the mantra in private. She approached Raja Kuntibhoja and explained daintily, "this boy was born from Surya."
Raja Kuntibhoja responded indifferently, "well, that is wonderful. What purpose do you have of telling me this?" For Raja Kuntibhoja treated her as his own daughter. His attention was divided elsewhere in other duties.
Kunti sheepishly replied, "Yes, King. However, he is my son from the mantra that Sage Durvasa gave me."
A moment of silence passed. Another moment. Another. She began to fret, wondering what he was thinking.
Raja Kuntibhoja silently, but sternly responded, "How could you make such a foolish mistake? Why did you not send him down the river?"
Kunti was just as bewildered as him and quickly explained how she took one look at Karna and could not look away. She was tied to him. Bounded by a motherly feeling. Raja took sent her away and took some time to ponder the situation. They came to a consensus to keep Karna in the kingdom, but to not alert others that he is here. He would be raised as her son and become a part of her legacy. Karna grew up in the kingdom, showered by love from every being in the palace. He played, learned, and took charge on his own throughout the years. But one day it all changed. It became complex, worrisome, and cloudy. The future was muddled when Kunti was married off to Pandava without Karna by her side. Her secret remained behind, and she was at a loss of what to do.


Author's Note:
I have always loved the story of Kunti and Karna. Their relationship over the years is perplexing but so pure. Karna, as loyal and generous as he is, is also just as forgiving. He brings about joy to others and attempts to never let anyone down. His story was so unique and his kindness radiates in the story. This mother-son relationship is one of importance, but I wanted to retell it in such a way where Kunti was not ashamed to have him as her son. She simply made a mistake and owned up to it rather than sending him down the river. I thought I would twist the story at the end anyways rather than making it a happy ending, as the story does not end well for Karna. He is still honored at the end, but I wish he had a second chance. But the Mahabharata would not be the Mahabharata without Karna and his background story.

Bibliography
"The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic" by R. K. Narayan. Literary source.

Amar Chitra Katha "Karna". Literary source.