Storytelling Week 10: Karna's Notes

(An open journal)

Karna’s Journal

Entry 1:

Growing up the son of a charioteer has never been prestigious, but honestly, I’ve lived a blessed life. My mother and father have always worked without tarry to ensure that I have plenty to eat and clothes to wear, a roof over my head. More importantly, they have always shown me immense amounts of love and affection. So, of course, I don’t want to seem ungrateful; however, it seems somehow that I was meant for something more than this life. I don’t want to entertain delusions of grandeur, but I can’t shake the feeling that I ought to have been born to a different life than this one.

Entry 2:

My parents told me last night of my origins. They found me in a basket floating down the river. I wore my brilliant armor and golden earrings when they found me. They quickly realized that the armor I wore was enchanted. I’ve resolved to find a guru who will teach me the ways of war. Perhaps then I can ascend my current role and achieve whatever it is I was meant for.

Entry 3:

I spent weeks seeking out guru after guru. Not one showed me any sincerity. At every turn, I was treated with scorn, reviled and cast out, but I’ve finally found someone willing to teach me – a guru called Parsharam who has resolved to never teach any prince the arts of war. I’m learning quickly under his tutelage. Perhaps soon I’ll be as good a warrior as any well-trained prince in the land. Parsharam tells me that my skill with the bow is growing more and more impressive with every passing day.

Entry 4:

Parsharam now refuses to teach me any longer. He laid a curse on me, accusing me of secretly being a kshatriya. He told me that on the day when I need his teachings most I will forget them all. All that for letting him sleep when I was stung by a scorpion. I utilized self-control to show him respect and display my restraint, and he CURSED me. I am beginning to know now that this world is set in its opinions and ways.

Entry 5:

The king held a tournament last night. I disguised myself to prove that I had earned the right to be considered the equal to any kshatriya in battle. I defeated every Pandava and Kaurava there in archery. The Pandavas reacted violently to my success, challenging me to battle, saying that they would prove that no man of another caste could ever defeat a kshatriya. I would have fought them and proven my mettle, but their guru demanded my lineage. When I dictated my story, he told them that it would be beneath them to even engage me. They all laughed and mocked me. They did this after I had already defeated them in their own tournament. I did not deserve such disrespect. I earned my place there. Fortunately, Prince Duryodhana recognized my merit. He gifted me a kingdom for the strength and honor I had shown during the tournament. I never dreamed I would receive such an honor. Truly, Duryodhana is a good man to have acknowledged me in spite of his cousins’ disrespect.

Entry 6:

Even as a king, I am scorned. I sought to gain a wife at the swayamvar of Draupadi. She, however, would not have it. Calling out for all to hear that I was unfit to wed her, saying that I was of low birth, Draupadi mocked me in front of the whole court. The masses again laughed at me and insisted I back down from something that was my right to demand. Then Arjuna won her when I know I would have. I can stand no more of the Pandavas and their constant insults and injustices. Duryodhana is right about them.

Author's Note: I wanted to write this story from Karna's perspective and explore the way that society interacts with him as a result of his position in society. He faces a great deal of prejudice and injustice, and I wanted to explore how that helped lead to him, a generally just and moral man, fighting on Duryodhana's side. I kept the story the same because I really did want to delve into another facet of the original tale.

Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata

Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Part F

(Art depicting Hanuman blocking Bhima's path)

Draupadi Disrobed

The fact that they wanted to strip Draupadi of her clothes as a means of demeaning and shaming her simply as humiliating revenge against a perceived wrong that they brought about themselves is exactly why long lines of families in power is pretty much not a thing anymore. I totally understand the revenge vow here. I still don't have a ton of respect for the Pandavas, but I respect their need for revenge after their cousins tried to undress their wife in court.

Pandavas Exiled

I feel like Vidhur doesn't belong in the company he keeps. Kunti stays behind because she is too old to go back into the forest into exile again.

Pandavas Exile Begins

I thought that Krishna was supposed to be a source of great wisdom and counsel for the Pandavas given his identity as an actual god, but it seems that Yudhisthir is meant to be the wise one. It seems to me that the wisest way to wait out this exile would be to go find a distant ally, but maybe I just don't understand social conventions.

Krishna meets the Pandavas

So this story explains why Krishna was unable to prevent the Pandavas from engaging in this gambling game so that they would never have lost their kingdom. This story is about cycles of karma, and it is Krishna killing Shilupa that leads to his inability to help the Pandavas. This also solidifies that Krishna fully supports the Pandavas.

Arjuna Receives Shiva's Weapon

Arjuna gets into a physical altercation with the god to whom he's spent so many hours praying. Apparently, though, this just proves to Shiva that Arjuna is worthy of the weapons he's been requesting this entire time and accordingly gives them to the now-poor prince.

Arjuna Meets Indra

Is this when Arjuna finds out that he's actually Indra's son, or has he known for some time now? I think it's interesting that visits from other gods who happened to see his devotion preceded his father's summons. I think that Arjuna's father's gift is possibly the most important of all because he gives his son the gift of knowledge and training that will allow him to actually use the weapons he has been given.

Urvashi's Curse

How could Indra have known in advance that the curse Urvashi laid on her son would last only one specific year and would actually benefit him? Is this premonition or a perk of being the son of a powerful god within the pantheon. I also think it's interesting that the other Pandava's austerities don't seem to be drawing the attention of their individual fathers.

Bhima Meets Hanuman

It's unique that this story focuses on the fact that Bhima and Hanuman are actually related. I do like that this problem could not be solved by a fight. For once, Bhima was forced to take a moment and simply listen to the person who was opposing him if he wanted to have any chance at getting his way. I think it's an important lesson to learn that violence simply won't solve some problems, especially when, like the Pandavas, you use violence to solve a good deal of your problems.

Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata

Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Part E

(Dushana shames Draupadi because all of these rulers are behaving like despicable children)

Subhadra Wins Over Draupadi

I like that this story addresses the frustration of Balram's daughter being abducted and Krishna's successful efforts to persuade him that this marriage is one of love and affection that should be respected. One thing I have trouble understanding about this story is why Draupadi would be upset that Arjuna married another woman given the culture wherein many men marry multiple women. I think it would make more sense if it was explained as her not being comfortable with the fact that this decision was not made with her consent.

Birth of Abhimanyu

I'm glad that Subhadra's brother and father attended the wedding. Abhimanyu is the child of Subhadra and Arjuna. It's like Mozart for babies but with war planning.

The Slaying of Jarasandha

This seems like a really roundabout reason for killing someone. I know that Krishna is supposed to be very wise and all, but it seems to me that diplomacy should at least be attempted. At the least, I feel like they should have led with the argument for rescuing captive people rather than making the argument that this is for the purpose of a ritual. That is a really brutal death. I feel like the Pandavas have this pristine reputation, but a lot of their story is actually quite dark. I'm also not clear on what exactly Yudhisthir is now emperor of.

Yudhisthir Becomes King

How is it determined which king is most worthy of the honor of the ceremony? It seems to me that this is either an appropriate show of power or a waste of an excellent opportunity for diplomacy.

Duryodhan's Humiliation

At the least, Yudhisthir seems to be a well loved emperor. This problem could have been easily solved or prevented by more reasonable interior design.

Shakuni's Evil Plan

His reaction seems a little severe considering his predicament was a result of his not being more careful. Duryodhana's father is too much of a pushover concerning his son. He allows this awful game to take place even though he knows it's unreasonable and unjust.

Yudhisthir Gambles

Yudhisthir knows going into this how it's going to end. He should have said no, but his honor demanded that he accept the invitation to dice. Why does he have to agree to such high stakes? This seems ridiculous. You'd think that utter destitution would dissuade him from gambling further, but evidently not.

The Gambling Match

I don't understand if this is supposed to be an addiction that Yudhisthir suffers from or simply a determination to try and turn the game to his favor. If he knows Shakuni is cheating, why does he continue to bet? Was his honor worth it? This is the part of the story where I really begin to believe that maybe the Pandavas are not such divine, perfect heroes.

Draupadi at Stake

The sentiment I conveyed before can be replicated here threefold as Yudhisthir bets his /wife/ in this impossible game. I think this is the part of the story where I permanently determine that neither of these houses truly deserves much praise or honor. Draupadi is dragged into the palace and cast before the court. It's despicable.

Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata

Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Part D

(Arjuna and Subhadra)

Draupadi's Swayamvar

This simply outlines how Arjuna strung lifted and fired a divine bow in an insane challenge to win Draupadi's hand.

Karna's Humiliation

Given this new focus on Karna, it's even easier to understand how he could come to fight for such heinous people. Everyone including Draupadi insults him simply because he was not raised a prince. People are cruel to him and inconsiderate without good reason. Krishna's presence is interesting because it indicates that the gods are somehow waiting for this, wanting it to happen as it will.

Draupadi's Husbands

So they have to share her because their mother instructed them to do so. Draupadi's brother is more upset about this turn of events than Draupadi herself. It is his blind rage that helps to further turn Drupad against the Pandavas.

Return to Hastinapur

Bhishma is the levelheaded one who believes in justice and honesty. Accordingly, he suggests that the Pandavas recieve a portion of the kingdom. Vidu is sent to fetch the Pandavas from Panchal, and Yudhishthira recieves a kingdom.

Creation of Indraprastha

Kandavprast (the Pandava's new land) was barren. Krishna traveled with them. A divine architect designed their palace or them. Maybe instead of being jealous and pathetic all the time, Duryodhana should do something cool himself so he has something to be proud of rather than just whining that his cousins have nice things. Their seemingly undearned luxury does seem to justify some envy, but not this much.

Narad visits Indraprastha 

I think that this story helps illuminate the brothers' willingness to agree to their odd conditions. Take turns with Draupadi, and no one shall intrude on the others' turns.

Arjuna's Exile

If nothing else, this story shows that Arjuna has an immense dedication to honor and justie such that he will abide by the punishment he promised to accept even if his brother has forgiven his sin.

Arjuna's Journey

While he is away, Arjuna first gives into temptation and falls in love with Ulupi. Next he falls in love with Chitrangada. I don't understand why honor calls for Arjuna to leave his wife behind when he goes back to Hastinapur.

Arjuna Reaches Dwarka

This is when Krishna meets with Arjuna one on one. Arjuna is determined to marry Subhadra, Krishna's sister. Krishna suggested that Arjuna woo and then immediately /abduct/ his sister. This seems like a weird tradition and I'm not quite sure how to reconcile my feelings about it. At least they loved each other.

Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata

Story Planning: Karna's Storyline

(Karna's death)

I am going to try something different by actually taking a week to plan out my story this time. Next week, my story will be a perspective piece centered around Karna because I think he’s a very interesting character forced by circumstance to take the short end of quite a few different sticks. I want to keep the details of the Pandava’s story the same but really get into what Karna feels about everything that happens to him and all the different slights he is forced to endure because his mother did not keep him when he was born.

Specifically, the thing I think is so interesting about Karna is that his whole life seems to slowly build up to his death. From the moment he is born, he is set up to have to fight for and consequently lose the things he wants most. That, I would argue, ultimately leads to his demise.

Karna is essentially a very moral character and doesn’t seem interested in the power or glory that should honestly be his birthright since he’s the son of a princess and the sun god. I want to show that he doesn’t sin in a way that merits the disrespect and scorn he receives when he attempts to interact with the princes and brahmins he meets.

I also specifically want to use his unique perspective to show that the Pandava’s actions can be construed in a variety of ways. They are neither inherently nor entirely good. Karna is an excellent character for exploring this perspective because he is more morally grounded than Duryodhana and also suffers slights from the Pandavas that he doesn’t earn.

Specifically, I would like to highlight a couple of their interactions. I want to see the scene where Draupadi insults Karna. I would also like to write the scene where the Pandavas attempt to battle Karna only to end up mocking him for his simple origins and lack of proven royal blood. As a sister piece, I may consider writing from Kunti’s perspective later so I can imagine how she may have been invested in Karna’s actions and choices without directly involving herself. I would love to explore her thoughts on the situations Karna faces.

Bibliography: Edified Mahabharata

Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Part C

(A look ahead at Karna's death)

Karna's Quest

Recap: Karna is Kunti's secret son. I don't remember discussing Karna's guru in depth in the original story. It should be an interesting journey to meet this character who will teach the art of war to a member of the wrong social caste.

The Kshatriya

Parsharam kills members of the warrior/prince caste? What a terrible curse to lay on someone for literally being kind to you. Parsharam seems fickle to me.

Karna Becomes King

Duryodhana makes Karna king of Ang(spelling?) a kingdom under his rule. I like that this story is exploring Karna's role in the story more.

Drupad humiliates Drona

So Drupad and Drona trained together. They became great friends. Drupad promised him half his kingdom after he became king. Once Drona got older and had his son (Ashwathama). Drona believed that Drupad would be true to his word and be generous and willing to give him part of his kingdom. The drama here is rich.

Wax Palace Conspiracy

This section just outlines Duryodhana's jealousy and his plot to burn his cousins alive.

Pandavas Escape

Vidhur sent a miner to rendevous with the Pandavas. I think it's very telling that /all/ of Duryodhana's brothers also celebrated what they thought to be the Pandava's demise. This is where they escape to the forest.

Bhima's Day

Bhima is really carrying the group on this one. I think it's interesting to note that he is acting as both their physical and emotional support.

Bhima Kills Bakasur

This story of Bhima going to kill the demon that's essentially holding the village hostage in order to provide himself with copious amounts of food is really indicative of the kind of appetite Bhima has for battle. He's an extremely pugnacious man, always ready for a fight.

The Birth of Draupadi

Draupadi emerged from holy fire at her birth. I forgot that there was a prophecy that she would cause the death of many prince/warriors.

Bibliography: Edified Mahabharata