Lord Krishna Praises Karna

By Sri Chiraan 2009/05/18

One of the strongest points that followers of Karna [as invincible] have is the words of Krishna praising Karna, on the eve of death of Ghatotkach. Krishna say’s:

• Karna is given to austerities
• Karna is one abiding by Bramhins and Devatas
• Karna is not given to falsehood
• [He says to Parshuram, I am anatha, all orphans and other creatures as well are children of GOD, you are GOD and YOU are Bramhin, thus I said I am Bramhin]

Karna cannot be slayed by INDRA, YAMA, VARUNA

Karna, cannot be vanquished with even Sudarshan Chakra 

All this because He has Kavach Kundal.

What was so great about Kavach Kundal. It was an armour given as boon to KARNA by SURYA.

Can a boon by Surya make Karna invincible even to Devatas and Narayana? let us analyse:

• Nivat kavach rakshas too had boon of kavach, nothing could pierce the kavach. Kavach could not be cut or destroyed by Devatas. This was the boon given to nivat kavach by BRAMHA.
• Indra gives his vajrayudh and Kirit [hence ARJUN is called KIRITI] to ARJUN and sends him to fight with nivat kavach. Arjun destroys the Kavach of nivath kavach and makes Indra happy. [Boon is overtaken].
• Jarasandha had boon of Shiva, never to die and be immortal, but Bheema kills him [boon is surpassed].
• Jayadrath had boon that he would be invincible to all Pandavs, but as Pashupat astra was given to Arjun, Shiva made it clear that except Arjun he would be invincible over Pandavs but only for a day. Bheema earlier had overtaken Shiva boon, but here HE let the boon happen, for Abhimanyu had to die. [Boon honoured].
• Kaalyavan had a boon by Shiva that He would kill Krishna, but contrarily he died at the sight of MUCHIKUNDA. [Boon overtaken][Boon to Muchikunda honoured].
• Samshaptakas had boon from Shiva [not to lose in a battle] but lose terribly to Arjun.      [Boon overtaken].
• Kritavarma had a boon from Krishna, that he would be Invincible on a chosen day. [Boon honoured ].
• Satyaki had a boon from Krishna, that he would be invincible for a day. [Boon honoured when he defeats all the kauravas].
• Bhagadatta had a vaishnav astra from VARAHA Vishnu. [Boon honoured, as no Pandav ventured as long as he had the astra, when Krishna took on himself, he was killed by PAndav]. [Boon nullified].
• Shrutdhanva had a mace which would make him invincible but would hit him back if he used it on unarmed, it fell on Krishna and his head blew up . [ boon nullified ]

So at times boons were honoured and at times boons were dishonoured to show that KRISHNA is the master of the UNIVERSE, and not the bestower of these boons. Thus he indiscriminately, randomly, honoured or dishonoured at his will. The fact that boons were dishonoured shows mere boons does not make one INVINCIBLE.

Krishna’s Sudarshan has never come back without destroying the enemy when used. So karna cannot be immune to it, as even greater Rakshasas having boons of invincibility are known to have succumbed to SUDARSHAN CHAKRA. Bhagavat is testimony to it. Entire puranas sing glory of VISHNU with CHAKRA having never failed.  Krishna has shrouded SUN himself with the Chakra [Jayadrath killing], when SUN himself was overpowered, where his boons stand.

KARNA is mere a mortal and pitiable mortal at that.

With KAVACH Kundal on he was vanquished by many. There is a incident in the Mahabharata where, Bheema hits the Kavach during RAJASUYA digvijay, it hurts Karna to the point of death, just to honour Parshuram’s words and Surya’s boon, he does not break it.

Karna accepts the sovereignty of YUDHISTHIR and pays taxes. Rajsuya yagya is completed .[without Karna accepting defeat, this Yagnya would not have deemed complete as Raajsuya is meant for rulership of all the world, Karna was part of world.

No great warrior gives /accepts superiority till his life / death, only when HE has love of LIFE, he accepts defeat. Karna feared losing LIFE despite KAVACH KUNDAL. This is also reflected in GANDHARVA episode, KARNA was captivated, a warrior will give life rather than get captivated. One gets captivated when he is helpless and fears life. Otherwise war takes place unto death.

So kavach and Kundal were not something that could save Karna’s LIFE. Sudarshan is a highest weapon, its use would definitely KILL KARNA, but as Lord VOWED not to use weapons, using SUDARSHAN was unwarranted. ALSO as PArshuram Lord has promised protection to KARNA as long as he is without jealousy. BUT KARNA could never get rid of JEALOUSY towards ARJUN to the point he could not abide by LORD KRISHNA and KUNTI and SURYA [the giver of KAVACH].

It was Karna’s inability to overcome SHADVAIRI [ KAAM KRODHA LOBHA MADA MOHA MATSARYA] that made him lose despite all the boons. All the good fortunes became useless:

• His repentance of not having Drona’s tutorship was well compensated by PARSHURAM [Drona ‘s guru] that made him equal to Drona himself [is it not good fortune].
• He was made KING of ANGA even before YUDHISTHIRA could acquire a KINGDOM [is it not good fortune].
• His skills were acknowledged and was praised everywhere [is it not good fortune].
• He acquired Another half of ANGA rajya from JARASANDHA [is it not good fortune].
• EVEN when Pandavs were languishing in forests, HE always had a Kingdom of his own and an emperor as a friend [is it not good fortune].
• He had the protection of highest Kind [ KAVACH and KUNDAL] [is it not good fortune].
• His father SURYA always spoke to him in the times of distress [is it not good fortune].
• He was recognised by the whole world as a potential rival to ARJUN by whole world [ Takshak’s son chose him to take revenge] [is it not good fortune]. [Getting support of enemies enemy].
• He was even offered a chance to Rule over his Rival ARJUN by KRISHNA [is it not a good fortune].
• Except for the sanskara of SUTA, all his life he led a life akin to a glorified  KSHATRIYA.[is it not a good fortune].

He turned a blind eye to all these fortunes and out of ego, pride and jealousy, sided with the evil and lost all the fortune and perished. KAvach KUndal were for his safety till he grew into an adult, boons are meant for doing good in this world, when one misuses them they are taken back. INDRA took back the KAVACH because Karna had to be killed for his misdeeds. Boon of SURYA would be falsified. GOD CHOSE TO HONOUR SUN . [ALSO IT SAVED KARNA FROM UTTER DISGRACE again good fortune].

MORAL : Never succumb to shadvairi [KAAM KRODHA LOBHA MADA MOHA MATSARYA], all your good fortunes notwithstanding you shall perish unaided by LORD KRISHNA .

Krishnarpana