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