Epics in Imprints-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

Heroism it is when egoism is
submitted to the cosmic will, when
it is annihilated in the fire of
righteous service, eradicated in the
ennobling abundance of universal love, or
sublimated in the adoration of the all
pervading divinity. Moral uprightness and
ethical excellence are the basic marks of
a hero. Indomitable will and invincible
courage are mere appendages of a hero,
not noble traits. They are seen even in
villains of insufficient moral uprightness.
Satan in Paradise Lost and Ravana in the
Ramayana are known for their strong will
and skill but are contaminated with ill will
and egoism, deceit and treachery. The
will of a hero is ever in tune with the cosmic
will which is always established in Truth
and righteousness, Satya and Dharma.
Karna in the Mahabharatha is
“Dambodbhava”, the person of
boastfulness; that is what the word
implies. He is the embodiment of egoism
and boastfulness, self love and selfassertion,
craving always for recognition
to his small self of worldly achievements.
Born of blue blood, Karna the son of
the Sun is not only royal but also of
sparkling splendour. Despite his regal
veins and divine origin, he is known to all
only as an orphan. He does not know his
parents – his royal mother or divine father,
Mother Nature and Father God. But
ignorance is no license to tell lies. More
so, in the case of a hero. Karna does not
hesitate to produce a false birth certificate
to seek admission into Parasurama’s
Gurukula University. It is quite
unbecoming of a hero to play foul in the
game of life to win a few earthly laurels.
Means are as important as the end. Moral
uprighteness is the very life spirit of a hero.
IS KARNA A HERO?
DR.K.SUBRAHMANYAM
1
FEBRUARY - AUGUST 2003
Ekalavya did not resort to improper means
to get admitted into Drona’s institute of
archery! Sathyakama Jabala was ignorant
of his parentage. When the Kulapathi
insisted upon knowing his parentage as
a precondition for admission into his
Gurukula, the young boy boldly declared
the damaging truth about his parent as
told by his mother. The magnanimous
master appreciated the lad’s faith in truth
and moral uprightness. So should Karna
have stuck to truth without resorting to
telling lies. Master Parasurama cursed
Karna because the latter was a liar. All
the achievements of Karna in archery were
therefore of no avail when he needed them
most.
It is unbecoming of anybody to tell lies.
More so, when it is Karna the man of royal
lineage and divine brightness. The image
was tarnished, the moment he took to an
unrighteous path for his self-glorification.
Professional rivalry and jealousy are
never a mark of nobility. Karna was never
an admirer of Arjuna’s dexterity. Even after
knowing him to be his brother, he was
unable to overcome his hatred for Arjuna.
On the other hand, if Arjuna were to know
that Karna was his elder brother, he would
have surrendered his all at his feet. In spite
of Sri Krishna’s assurance that Pandavas
would be at his command, Karna refused
to leave Kauravas and join his own
brothers. Is it his friendship with
Duryodhana that prompted him to brush
aside Sri Krishna’s advice and Mother
Kunti’s request No. His friendship is more
for the glorification of his self than for self
dedication in the service of his friend
Duryodhana.
Friendship with Duryodhana sprang
up from the genial but political gesture of