Karna - symbol of a paradox.

Karna - symbol of a paradox.

Among all epics the world over, none displays the wide variety of characters, situations, human frailties and intense drama as the Mahabharata does. I recently read an admirable translation by Robert Fitzgerald of Iliad and odyssey; I loved it for its sheer energy and action, but I must confess that it does not equal the scope and breadth of Mahabharata. Even in condensed form such as in the work of Sir Rajagopalachari, at least a hundred characters are packed, a thousand stories and sub stories are woven, and million morals, ethics, wise idioms injected. What to speak then of its original length and breadth. In its rudimentary Sanskrit form, it runs into fifteen printed volumes. Legend has it that in its pages, one would find every character reflected, every psychological nuance explored and almost every human paradox mentioned or solved. This may be a true claim. I am not the best judge of it. But it is certain that it does contain some of the most interesting, enigmatic and brilliant characters ever conceived in a human tale and placed in vivid dramatic contexts - and above all a minefield of ethical and moral codes to live by in society.

Yesterday, during a discussion among friends, one of them quoted Karna as an example of a man who epitomizes the trait of boundless giving. It set me thinking, and the result is this short essay. I am sure anyone who is even casually acquainted with this epic will know who Karna is? So I will not get into his tale. What is interesting though for me, is that there is a school of thought that thinks of Karna as a stupid man, who gave away unwarranted, unnecessary promises and wealth to those who sought his favors, when he could easily been smarter, more practical, more possessive - and thus not only saved his life, but could have been what in modern terms been “successful”. His own mother schemed against him. What could be worse than this? - And Karna willingly gave himself to be cheated and disenfranchised. There is definitely merit in this reasoning. One cannot deny it. But Vyasa’s characterization of karna as a generous man has a deeper significance, and missing it would be committing grave injustice. The point is: Karna gave because he was in tune with a deep truth that to exist, to live - one doesn’t need be attached neurotically to material possessions. As long as one has it, enjoy and revel - but always with a deep anchoring within oneself that it is merely for us to use and not to own. This is the true meaning of the word materialism. To love matter means to enjoy, respect and protect it - not to possess. furthermore, matter makes sense only if there is a self to cherish it. What then can be more precious than our own existence, our beingness or self or whatever one wishes to call it. I remember reading a beautiful story of a mystic who would carefully lock the doors and windows of his house when he was inside; but quite strangely leave all of it open when he goes out. When questioned by his neighbor’s on his odd behavior, he replied with an indulgent smile on his face: “I don’t know about all of you, but as far I am concerned the most precious thing for me to safeguard in my home is my “self”, my “beingness”, hence I lock all my doors when I am in. When I am out nothing else is worth owning obsessively...” The story may be apocryphal, but it certainly is very symbolic and points to a center very deep.

Another beauty of Karna’s character is that he knows all along that every sacrifice demanded of him will eventually strip him of his life. His story is full of such calamities - Illegitimately born, his Mother leaves him adrift in a basket to die, his master teaches extraordinary fighting skills only to curse him ; denied an opportunity to exhibit his artistry in archery, he joins hands with those who give him his due respect and understanding, but unfortunately belong to other side of justice; Gods in human form appear to deceive him into giving away his protective skin making him vulnerable to mortality; His mother again appears later in life to rob him of his right to kill her legitimate sons, and then finally, his charioteer deserts him at a crucial point in war - in all these events, Vyasa pictures Karna as fully aware and cognizant of his consequences. Yet, he plays his designated part in the drama to perfection. There is no fretting and fuming over his tragic life, but an enlightened acceptance of roles and responsibity. He does show occasional anguish and pain - but all that is subsumed in the fire of self-understanding that no matter what one does, there is an overarching law which fuels our destiny, and the best one can do is to be true to our vocations and give it the best that we can under circumstances. .

His is a life that symbolizes the core paradox of Human life. On one hand, Man understands that he is a part of a greater cosmic process driven involuntarily by forces that cannot be predicted or controlled; and on the other hand, he also needs to lead a purpose driven life in society with narrow rules and boundaries. And it this polarizing pull in different directions that becomes difficult to reconcile. Karna is a perfect symbol of this paradox – Vyasa's brilliant creation. Along with granddaddy Bheesma, Karna stands as a crown jewel of epic characters in the history of world literature.

God bless…

Yours in mortality,

Bala