Karna Defeated All The Pandabas Including Arjuna.
Who I think is better: Karna, both as human and warrior.I'll explain in detail later, but short version is this:
Karna mastered all weapons,beat all Pandavas with their preferred weapons and was decisive as a human too, struggling against prejudices throughout.
Before you read further:
Karna mastered all weapons,beat all Pandavas with their preferred weapons and was decisive as a human too, struggling against prejudices throughout.
Before you read further:
Note:
The original unabridged Mahabharata has verses by Vyasa, and chronicles by Krishna too,where he speaks to Narad about what these warriors were,how he wanted them to be remembered,and what Vyasa must exclude to not let the world know, which are separate but not mentioned along with Vyasa's work.They carry important details which prove that most warriors were actually weaker than they are painted,and also record the weapons used by the warriors,and the carnage they cost.
Now,the rest of my answer-
The original unabridged Mahabharata has verses by Vyasa, and chronicles by Krishna too,where he speaks to Narad about what these warriors were,how he wanted them to be remembered,and what Vyasa must exclude to not let the world know, which are separate but not mentioned along with Vyasa's work.They carry important details which prove that most warriors were actually weaker than they are painted,and also record the weapons used by the warriors,and the carnage they cost.
Now,the rest of my answer-
As warriors:
First up, after Eklavya's death, Karna is the only one who can shoot multiple arrows at once(demonstrated to Arjuna disguised as Brahmin when he is tested for daanveerta.He breaks up his furniture in single go with his bow using this, and is also the reason why he kills ~3 Akshahuni in just 6.5 days of war (over 1 Akshahuni on 16th and half on 17th day).Arjuna killed ~5.5 Akshahuni over 18 days including 1 on 14th.But this does not prove Karna's superiority(more on that later).
Oh ,and he is master of the spear, sword and mace too, along with being the first to beat Jarasandha at wrestling.
Oh ,and he is master of the spear, sword and mace too, along with being the first to beat Jarasandha at wrestling.
Lets check out Karna vs Pandavas first:
Karna against Yudhisthir:
1)11th day-beats Yudhisthir at spear fight,his preferred weapon.Tells him he has forgotten Drona's teachings,and asks him to leave battlefield to train and then return.
Aftermath:
Yudhisthir insults Arjuna later in the day, saying that his Gandiva is useless, since he hid before firing at Bhishma, and could not protect him, despite pledging before the war to do so.Arjuna gets angered and aims at him(he had sworn that anyone who insulted his mighty bow would die), but Krishna intervenes and sorts it out.
Also, on 14th evening,Yudhisthir cannot help being awed at Karna's prowess as he counter-attacks with Ashwathama after Kauravas have lost 1.5 Akshahuni to Arjuna-Satyaki combo.
Yudhisthir insults Arjuna later in the day, saying that his Gandiva is useless, since he hid before firing at Bhishma, and could not protect him, despite pledging before the war to do so.Arjuna gets angered and aims at him(he had sworn that anyone who insulted his mighty bow would die), but Krishna intervenes and sorts it out.
Also, on 14th evening,Yudhisthir cannot help being awed at Karna's prowess as he counter-attacks with Ashwathama after Kauravas have lost 1.5 Akshahuni to Arjuna-Satyaki combo.
2)16th day- beats Yudhisthr, first with archery, then when challenged through spear and javelin throw, he wins again("Yudhisthir's blood ran cold when he faced the suta-putra,as the brother he did not know made him bleed with his arrows,and a long range attack using spear was futile as Karna's response was an exceptional spear throw that pinned his arm to the ground.He fled, inflicted with unbearable pain .")
Karna 3-0 Yudhisthir
Karna against Bhima :
1)12th day- Bhima challenged Karna to fight with mace(no one mentions this ).This after both Bhima and Karna had annihilated each other's forces through archery.Battle goes on through the day and at the fag end, Karna disarms Bhima after both have injured each other.Sun sets that very instant!So, for practical purposes, draw, though Karna prevailed.
Oh, and Karna refuses Bhima's next day challenge of wrestling to the death. Not because of fear( he too beat Jarasandha!) but because of his promises to Draupadi("Justice will be done to your hair") and Kunti (kill only Arjuna).
Oh, and Karna refuses Bhima's next day challenge of wrestling to the death. Not because of fear( he too beat Jarasandha!) but because of his promises to Draupadi("Justice will be done to your hair") and Kunti (kill only Arjuna).
2)14th day- Engaged in spear battle by Bheema, at end of day he leaves Bheem badly injured.Then rushes to intercept Arjuna.
In evening,he fights Bheem with archery after death of Ghatotkacha's son (before his Ghatotkacha showdown).
Credit to Bhima, he injures Karna ("the howl of the Anga-naresh startled the battlefield"-phrase from Mahabharata verses) before Karna destroys his chariot,his bow, armor and has him lying injured before sparing him. But does not kill him("The vayu-putra waited for the call of Yama, which never came as Vashusena walked away,hurrying to intercept Satyaki.").
Satyaki injures him too-shoulder hurt- before he destroys Satyaki's chariot,unstrings his bow and leaves him fainted.
In evening,he fights Bheem with archery after death of Ghatotkacha's son (before his Ghatotkacha showdown).
Credit to Bhima, he injures Karna ("the howl of the Anga-naresh startled the battlefield"-phrase from Mahabharata verses) before Karna destroys his chariot,his bow, armor and has him lying injured before sparing him. But does not kill him("The vayu-putra waited for the call of Yama, which never came as Vashusena walked away,hurrying to intercept Satyaki.").
Satyaki injures him too-shoulder hurt- before he destroys Satyaki's chariot,unstrings his bow and leaves him fainted.
3)16th day-Archery battle.Bhima annihilates much of Karna's forces(except 2 of his sons,who somehow survive an archer's battle with him) before Karna's payback in kind, followed by injuries and Bhima lying on ground, incapacitated and unable to fight further.("Karna lost consciousness seeing Bhimasen's carnage,but on regaining it and after seeing his sons' valiant defence, his equanimity returned quickly,his confidence in his forces even more swiftly,and Bhima was reminded why Karna was an atimaharathi.")Arjuna intervened then with a counter-attack to kill Karna but was overwhelmed and would have died if not for sunset.
4)17th day-approached Karna for challenge, disarmed quickly. Then he sees Dushashana, remembers promise, flees and challenges him instead.He fulfils his promise taken long ago.
Karna 4-0 Bhima (depends if you want to count the mace match;I feel it is a draw else 5-0)
Of all Pandavas, Bhima, in my opinion, performed best against Karna,repeatedly destroying his forces,though at great cost of life to his own.And if we take general proficiency in all weapons as parameter, Bhima was the best Pandava as he was a good archer,swordsman and spear-fighter to go with mace mastery.Arjuna was good only at archery.
Of all Pandavas, Bhima, in my opinion, performed best against Karna,repeatedly destroying his forces,though at great cost of life to his own.And if we take general proficiency in all weapons as parameter, Bhima was the best Pandava as he was a good archer,swordsman and spear-fighter to go with mace mastery.Arjuna was good only at archery.
Karna vs Nakul:
Only once did they fight- 16th day.Battled using bow and sword.
Nakula challenged Karna as he was responsible for heavy casualties and had destroyed Pandavas' crescent formation for the day.
Nakul was very quickly disarmed and had chariot destroyed.Forced to fight on foot. He charged Karna, sword in hand(sword from Varuna in hand).
Karna picked up his sword and fought. Nakula was injured quickly and decided to flee.Karna did not chase him.("Run,Nakula,run.You will brag someday how you faced mighty Karna and escaped with your life.")
Only once did they fight- 16th day.Battled using bow and sword.
Nakula challenged Karna as he was responsible for heavy casualties and had destroyed Pandavas' crescent formation for the day.
Nakul was very quickly disarmed and had chariot destroyed.Forced to fight on foot. He charged Karna, sword in hand(sword from Varuna in hand).
Karna picked up his sword and fought. Nakula was injured quickly and decided to flee.Karna did not chase him.("Run,Nakula,run.You will brag someday how you faced mighty Karna and escaped with your life.")
Karna 2-0 Nakul
Karna vs Sahadeva:
On 16th day.2nd Pandava to challenge him after Nakul.Quick work was made of him as he lost archer's battle and was stunned when Karna shot multiple arrows at once and devastated him-chariot and all.Still, brave enough to engage him with his sword ,lost the reputation he shared with Nakul as the best swordsman alive after that("The youngest Pandava felt fear for the first time when he saw the rain of arrows.But he was a warrior whose valor was proclaimed across the land.But a quick sword fight made him and his reputation bleed, and he fled for his life.").
Karna 2-0 Sahadeva
Now, Karna vs Arjuna:
Karna on 14th evening- an artist's view
Arjuna with Gandiva- one of the most famous paintings of the warrior. Note the Gandiva, not made of wood, and the celestial string.
Edit on 18th August 2014:
Specialties of Karna and Arjuna include possessing ambidextrous skills.
Arjuna was the only Savyasachin in Mahabharata- equally good archer with either arm.But he predominantly used his right side more often as Drona and Bhishma were right-handed too.He spoke of special preparation while facing Karna as Karna was the best(and one of few good ones)left-handed archer,plus because Karna could shoot multiple arrows at once.
Specialties of Karna and Arjuna include possessing ambidextrous skills.
Arjuna was the only Savyasachin in Mahabharata- equally good archer with either arm.But he predominantly used his right side more often as Drona and Bhishma were right-handed too.He spoke of special preparation while facing Karna as Karna was the best(and one of few good ones)left-handed archer,plus because Karna could shoot multiple arrows at once.
Only archer superior to both was Lord Rama from Ramayana- Savyasachin who could shoot multiple arrows using either arm.
Nowhere in Mahabharata is it stated that Karna was right-handed or left-handed, but it is mentioned that Arjuna felt that he should switch his regular right arm as battling Karna was a mirror-match against someone who was accurate with multiple arrows, hence my deduction.
With mace, spear and sword, Karna was ambidextrous(he beat Nakul and Sahadeva, best swordsmen with alternate hands), and could use either arm in long-range spear assaults.For his superb skills with all weapons, and comprehensive symmetry too, he was rated an atimaharathi equal to 4 maharathis by Bhishma when he spoke to him on 10th day.Till then, Bhishma had derided him always,and refused to rate him as warrior courtesy his clan(openly) and his desire to make him Shiromani-guardian of throne(actual reason for Bhishma).Of course, he cited dice game saga as reason to banish him from army while he was commander.
With mace, spear and sword, Karna was ambidextrous(he beat Nakul and Sahadeva, best swordsmen with alternate hands), and could use either arm in long-range spear assaults.For his superb skills with all weapons, and comprehensive symmetry too, he was rated an atimaharathi equal to 4 maharathis by Bhishma when he spoke to him on 10th day.Till then, Bhishma had derided him always,and refused to rate him as warrior courtesy his clan(openly) and his desire to make him Shiromani-guardian of throne(actual reason for Bhishma).Of course, he cited dice game saga as reason to banish him from army while he was commander.
I am chronicling all their face-offs.
1)The showcase of princes' skills:
This is their first meeting, and Karna's first interaction once Drona refused to teach him based on his parentage. Karna does all that Arjuna did with a single target, using multiple targets, and it makes Bhima think,"My brother cannot battle him and live, prodigy though he is."
Even Yudhisthir thinks- There is the one warrior who will surpass Arjuna. No archer alive can beat this one who claims to be Radheya.
His challenge for battle to decide best archer is rejected by Kripacharya though(with Drona advising him to quickly think of an excuse).
I will count it as Karna's victory.
This is their first meeting, and Karna's first interaction once Drona refused to teach him based on his parentage. Karna does all that Arjuna did with a single target, using multiple targets, and it makes Bhima think,"My brother cannot battle him and live, prodigy though he is."
Even Yudhisthir thinks- There is the one warrior who will surpass Arjuna. No archer alive can beat this one who claims to be Radheya.
His challenge for battle to decide best archer is rejected by Kripacharya though(with Drona advising him to quickly think of an excuse).
I will count it as Karna's victory.
2)The gandharva showdown-A drunk Karna is unable to protect Duryodhana, beaten by a gandharva in hand-to-hand combat, andflees on seeing a legion of them.Arjuna comes,and requests gandharvas to leave Duryodhana and they obey him(master's son).
Arjuna used Gandiva throughout his life once he earned it, while Karna used the strongest bow then-the Vijaya-only on 17th day of Mahabharata(ironically he died the very same day).All battles hereon had Arjuna armed with Gandiva.
3)Virata war-Arjuna as Brihannala.
Arjuna invokes use of Sammohan astra- one time weapon.Makes the user invincible till the last enemy flees or is killed.The enemies become dazed and cannot fight to their full potential. Drona, knowing what has happened, flees. So do Bhishma and Karna.I'll put it as Arjuna's win,though attacking a dazed warrior was unfair by the rules then.
Later before Mahabharat war, Bhishma insults Karna saying he was weak compared to any Pandava, not even worthy of title of rathi, and that Arjuna could kill countless Karnas.He cites the Virata war as example.
Arjuna invokes use of Sammohan astra- one time weapon.Makes the user invincible till the last enemy flees or is killed.The enemies become dazed and cannot fight to their full potential. Drona, knowing what has happened, flees. So do Bhishma and Karna.I'll put it as Arjuna's win,though attacking a dazed warrior was unfair by the rules then.
Later before Mahabharat war, Bhishma insults Karna saying he was weak compared to any Pandava, not even worthy of title of rathi, and that Arjuna could kill countless Karnas.He cites the Virata war as example.
4)Mahabharat Day 14-
They have 2 face-offs.First is before sunset,where Karna holds him off,readies his thunderbolt, and at that very instant Krishna creates solar eclipse by blotting out the sun.Karna puts it back, has unstrung his bow and sees an arrow whiz past him to kill Jayadratha.
Later in the evening,early after sunset,as Karna tries to kill Ghatotkacha's son while Ashwathama engages Ghatotkacha,even as Kripacharya tells him he has done nothing to protect Kaurava army from Arjuna's wrath, Arjuna yells at Karna,strikes first and unstrings his bow.
Then we have Karna jumping on Kripa's chariot, picking up a bow even as Kripa calls him a weakling and Arjuna keeps firing.He shoots multiple arrows at a time, cancels out Arjuna's assault, and unstrings the Gandiva("With a sound like a lightning strike,the Gandiva's string snapped,and the Pandava forces felt the fear which only this event could bring.").But as Arjuna puts a fresh string, and Karna readies his thunderbolt, Krishna rides away swiftly as Drona engages Yudhisthir, who is battling for survival against an Ashwathama-Drona onslaught.
They have 2 face-offs.First is before sunset,where Karna holds him off,readies his thunderbolt, and at that very instant Krishna creates solar eclipse by blotting out the sun.Karna puts it back, has unstrung his bow and sees an arrow whiz past him to kill Jayadratha.
Later in the evening,early after sunset,as Karna tries to kill Ghatotkacha's son while Ashwathama engages Ghatotkacha,even as Kripacharya tells him he has done nothing to protect Kaurava army from Arjuna's wrath, Arjuna yells at Karna,strikes first and unstrings his bow.
Then we have Karna jumping on Kripa's chariot, picking up a bow even as Kripa calls him a weakling and Arjuna keeps firing.He shoots multiple arrows at a time, cancels out Arjuna's assault, and unstrings the Gandiva("With a sound like a lightning strike,the Gandiva's string snapped,and the Pandava forces felt the fear which only this event could bring.").But as Arjuna puts a fresh string, and Karna readies his thunderbolt, Krishna rides away swiftly as Drona engages Yudhisthir, who is battling for survival against an Ashwathama-Drona onslaught.
Later in the night, we have this occurring:
Karna kills thousands of Pandava soldiers by night. For the Pandavas there was only one Kshyatriya who was as glorious as Karna was that night. Satyaki. As if drawn together by fate, Karna and Satyaki face each other. They fight not with arrows but with astras. Karna hears the loud screaming of his legions and also the thunder of the Gandeeva. He says to Duryodhana to contain Arjuna and that he will use the Shakti after defeating Satyaki.
Satyaki learns that the suta-putra is his guru's peer rather quickly though, and is on the brink of death before Drishtadyumna jumps in.
Karna is aflame. Fighting as never befroe, he smashes Dhrishtadyumna's bow and chariot leaving the Panchala breathless. Kunti's eldest son has brought such fear to the enemy that Pandava soldiers cry out when breeze brushes their faces, thinking it is Karna. Yudhishtra helplessly watches the brother he does not know, raze his army. Arjuna says to Krishna that his brother was under danger and he must ride against the sutaputra.
Karna kills thousands of Pandava soldiers by night. For the Pandavas there was only one Kshyatriya who was as glorious as Karna was that night. Satyaki. As if drawn together by fate, Karna and Satyaki face each other. They fight not with arrows but with astras. Karna hears the loud screaming of his legions and also the thunder of the Gandeeva. He says to Duryodhana to contain Arjuna and that he will use the Shakti after defeating Satyaki.
Satyaki learns that the suta-putra is his guru's peer rather quickly though, and is on the brink of death before Drishtadyumna jumps in.
Karna is aflame. Fighting as never befroe, he smashes Dhrishtadyumna's bow and chariot leaving the Panchala breathless. Kunti's eldest son has brought such fear to the enemy that Pandava soldiers cry out when breeze brushes their faces, thinking it is Karna. Yudhishtra helplessly watches the brother he does not know, raze his army. Arjuna says to Krishna that his brother was under danger and he must ride against the sutaputra.
Krishna says to Arjuna softly,
'There are only two warriors on our side who can face Karna tonight. One is you Partha, and the other one is Ghatotkacha. Night makes him stronger and he can kill anyone by darkness. Look at Drona and how he stalks Yudhishtra. If the wily brahamana takes your brother all the heroism of your brothers, all your valor will all be lost. Your first dharma is to protect your brother. Send for Ghatotkacha.
'There are only two warriors on our side who can face Karna tonight. One is you Partha, and the other one is Ghatotkacha. Night makes him stronger and he can kill anyone by darkness. Look at Drona and how he stalks Yudhishtra. If the wily brahamana takes your brother all the heroism of your brothers, all your valor will all be lost. Your first dharma is to protect your brother. Send for Ghatotkacha.
Karna must be engaged by him alone; I feared the worst when you fought him earlier today - he was on track to hold you till sunset, or even kill you.'
Arjuna looks at the Avatar in doubt. But he cannot ignore his sarathy's warning. He summons Ghatotkacha with a thought. Krishna smiles at him and says, 'Only you can stand before Karna. Arjuna must watch over Yudhishtra. Karna must be killed and no one can do this but you. Take your astras and show the sutaputra what hell looks like.'
Krishna knew about the Shakti that Indra gave in exchange for the Kavacha-Kundala. He knows that not even Arjuna could resist that weapon. Karna would use the weapon against Arjuna and then everything would be lost. The Avatara knows that one precious life had to be sacrificed. He had to protect Arjuna. Only he could kill Karna. Karna grows in stature with every life he takes. His valor on the battlefield tonight outshines the valor of Satyaki and Arjuna put together. Who would say after watching the sutaputra that Arjuna was the best archer in the world. ?Extract from Mahabharata, Drona-parva
Oh, and this is how the night ended:
The fall of Ghatotkacha:
All the Pandava army is stunned when Ghatotkacha falls. There is one exception. Krishna exults. Arjuna stands too shocked to shed a tear. But Krishna leaps down from his chariot in unashamed delight.
Arjuna asks Krishna in anguish, 'Bheema's son has died. Everybody is mourning.. What makes you so happy ?'
Krishna says 'This is the happiest day of my life Arjuna. I am not celebrating Ghatotkacha's death, but the manner in which he died. I swear he has not died in vain. Now Yudhishtra will definitely sit on the throne of the earth.
Arjuna appears confused. Krishna explains.
'It is so plain Arjuna. The only man I feared of the enemy, Karna, is now as good as dead. The Shakti, Arjuna, The Shakti. He could use it only once. Karna could have easily killed you with his Shakti, and the war would then be in favor of the Kauravas. Bheeshma and Drona have scofed at him, because they believed that you were invincible, but Duryodhana loves Karna more. That made Karna more clear eyed and focussed than you. Only he realises Karna's true worth. I know the truth Arjuna. Karna is indeed the greatest archer. As long as Karna had the Shakti, not even the armies of Devaloka, not Varuna, not Yama, or Kubera could defeat him. Not even you with your Gandeeva or me with my Sudarshana. Not any more Arjuna. He is now a God, who is not immortal any more. Even now, only you can kill him, but at least it can be done.'
Krishna says 'This is the happiest day of my life Arjuna. I am not celebrating Ghatotkacha's death, but the manner in which he died. I swear he has not died in vain. Now Yudhishtra will definitely sit on the throne of the earth.
Arjuna appears confused. Krishna explains.
'It is so plain Arjuna. The only man I feared of the enemy, Karna, is now as good as dead. The Shakti, Arjuna, The Shakti. He could use it only once. Karna could have easily killed you with his Shakti, and the war would then be in favor of the Kauravas. Bheeshma and Drona have scofed at him, because they believed that you were invincible, but Duryodhana loves Karna more. That made Karna more clear eyed and focussed than you. Only he realises Karna's true worth. I know the truth Arjuna. Karna is indeed the greatest archer. As long as Karna had the Shakti, not even the armies of Devaloka, not Varuna, not Yama, or Kubera could defeat him. Not even you with your Gandeeva or me with my Sudarshana. Not any more Arjuna. He is now a God, who is not immortal any more. Even now, only you can kill him, but at least it can be done.'
Arjuna listens, unable to digest Krishna's words. Satyaki joins his guru. Krishna continues, 'Karna is the most misunderstood, most demeaned man on earth. This man is not only the greatest archer in the world, Partha, but also the noblest. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he is more pious and noble than Yudhishtra. You ask me why I rejoice on Ghatotkacha's death. It is because he gave his life to save yours, and it was a needful sacrifice. Every night the Kauravas spoke of nothing else, but the usage of the Shakti on Arjuna, and that was precisely the reason why we avoided him for fourteen days.'
-End of 14th day, Drona-Parva
5)Day 16-Arjuna intervenes after Bhima is struck unconscious by Karna's arrows.He counterattacks to reduce Pandavas' losses, but faces Karna as his ferocious attack is cut short.
An amazing atack from Karna sees the Gandiva unstrung multiple times . In the end,with Arjuna disarmed and Karna readying to kill him with a final arrow, he still does not fire as the sun sets.
An amazing atack from Karna sees the Gandiva unstrung multiple times . In the end,with Arjuna disarmed and Karna readying to kill him with a final arrow, he still does not fire as the sun sets.
Aftermath:
Arjuna asks Krishna:
"Madhusudan, this man has waited all his life to kill me.Why did he not fire?I cannot live with this insult."
Krishna's response:"Arjuna, he is sending you a message.Rules of war have been broken,when Bhishma was killed,when Drona was murdered and also during Abhimanyu's demise.But while I am commander, rules of war will be followed."
Arjuna asks Krishna:
"Madhusudan, this man has waited all his life to kill me.Why did he not fire?I cannot live with this insult."
Krishna's response:"Arjuna, he is sending you a message.Rules of war have been broken,when Bhishma was killed,when Drona was murdered and also during Abhimanyu's demise.But while I am commander, rules of war will be followed."
And at the same time, Duryodhana to Karna:
"This is war.You had him at your mercy.What are you up to?"
Karna:
"We are all fighting this war, but our reasons are different, friend.I will kill Arjuna, but generations from now, people will say suta-putra Karna bent rules of war to kill kshatriya Arjun had I done so today. My glory matters to me more than my life.
And learn to respect the cause of your peers, Duryodhan. It will make you a better warrior and king.I am the loneliest warrior in this war after Bhishma, fighting for nothing."
"This is war.You had him at your mercy.What are you up to?"
Karna:
"We are all fighting this war, but our reasons are different, friend.I will kill Arjuna, but generations from now, people will say suta-putra Karna bent rules of war to kill kshatriya Arjun had I done so today. My glory matters to me more than my life.
And learn to respect the cause of your peers, Duryodhan. It will make you a better warrior and king.I am the loneliest warrior in this war after Bhishma, fighting for nothing."
6)Day 17-
Edit : After massacring over 10000 warriors inside an hour Karna is ambushed by 12 warriors, all above atirathi title-Drishtadyumna, 5 Upapandavas, Satyaki, Nakul, Sahadeva, Bhima, Sikhandi and Satyaki all at once. None of them make any progress as he holds them quite comfortably.
As the 4th son of Karna, Vrushasena, aids his father and engages Nakula, Sahadeva and their personal forces, the other 10 continue battling Karna. Bhima is swiftly disarmed and flees. Vrushasena annihilates the personal forces of Nakul, Sahadeva and injures them grievously. To the surprise of all, even his father, he is aiming to kill them when Arjuna steps in and blocks.He then fights Vrushasena on equal terms before having him at his mercy.Seeing this, Karna puts his 9 enemies to flight, and Shalya,who has battled alongside Vrushasena for previous 4 days, puts chariot b/w him and Arjuna.
Edit : After massacring over 10000 warriors inside an hour Karna is ambushed by 12 warriors, all above atirathi title-Drishtadyumna, 5 Upapandavas, Satyaki, Nakul, Sahadeva, Bhima, Sikhandi and Satyaki all at once. None of them make any progress as he holds them quite comfortably.
As the 4th son of Karna, Vrushasena, aids his father and engages Nakula, Sahadeva and their personal forces, the other 10 continue battling Karna. Bhima is swiftly disarmed and flees. Vrushasena annihilates the personal forces of Nakul, Sahadeva and injures them grievously. To the surprise of all, even his father, he is aiming to kill them when Arjuna steps in and blocks.He then fights Vrushasena on equal terms before having him at his mercy.Seeing this, Karna puts his 9 enemies to flight, and Shalya,who has battled alongside Vrushasena for previous 4 days, puts chariot b/w him and Arjuna.
The expected showdown happens.Fighting stops around them as all warriors fix eyes on Karna and Arjuna.All Pandavas except Yudhisthir watch. So do Satyaki and Dristhadyumna.
Karna had brought out the Vijaya finally, and Arjuna was ready, having sworn to Yudhisthir he would see him on killing Karna, or he would see his dead body.
The battle begins,not before Krishna has warned Arjuna of what he is facing.
Karna's chariot is displaced by hundred of metres while Arjuna's moves every time by half to one-tenth the distance but Krishna still praises him. Arjuna's query is answered as he is told of Gods' blessings aiding him as they want him to win, and the fact that Hanuman's blessings are protecting his chariot.He also reminds him that He,Krishna,Bearer of the Mass of the 3 Worlds, sits in his chariot.After all this it still moves.
This humbles Arjuna, and forces him to focus.
He is also injured when Karna fires multiple Agneyastras at once,some of which hit his chariot and one of which inflicts burns which Krishna cures via His will.Arjuna has, in the meantime, hit Karna's chariot multiple times but it has somehow held.
Then Karna aims an arrow which has,without his knowledge, a snake within.Krishna saves Arjuna's life by making horses kneel and by pushing chariot down with his toe.Arjuna's crown, earned from the gods after several great deeds, and with a ruby embedded that added to his aura, is knocked off.
The snake approaches Karna and asks him to fire using his aid, which Karna refuses, saying he would not,not if he has to face 100 Arjunas.
The battle resumes,the snake is killed by Arjuna as he assaults him again, and Karna fires frugally as it wears on since he had no inexhaustible quiver.
He readies his last divine weapon-Brahmastra-forgets the mantra even as a shaken Arjuna looks on,and then the chariot sinks into the ground. As Karna asks for mercy and tends to his chariot, Krishna asks Arjuna to fire.ARJUNA REFUSES,even after hearing of the Abhimanyu episode.
Karna resumes the fight,tired after moving the chariot and with no divine arrows remaining.He uses a heavy arrow,hits Arjuna square in the chest, leaves him shaken but luckily not killed,and Bhima mocks that maybe he should fight Karna.Again,the chariot sinks.
This time,Karna tends to it again,and Krishna points out to Arjuna that a chariot wheel is a weapon too,and Abhimanyu died holding one.He tells Arjuna to fire the Anjalika weapon,and he does,killing Karna.
Karna had brought out the Vijaya finally, and Arjuna was ready, having sworn to Yudhisthir he would see him on killing Karna, or he would see his dead body.
The battle begins,not before Krishna has warned Arjuna of what he is facing.
Karna's chariot is displaced by hundred of metres while Arjuna's moves every time by half to one-tenth the distance but Krishna still praises him. Arjuna's query is answered as he is told of Gods' blessings aiding him as they want him to win, and the fact that Hanuman's blessings are protecting his chariot.He also reminds him that He,Krishna,Bearer of the Mass of the 3 Worlds, sits in his chariot.After all this it still moves.
This humbles Arjuna, and forces him to focus.
He is also injured when Karna fires multiple Agneyastras at once,some of which hit his chariot and one of which inflicts burns which Krishna cures via His will.Arjuna has, in the meantime, hit Karna's chariot multiple times but it has somehow held.
Then Karna aims an arrow which has,without his knowledge, a snake within.Krishna saves Arjuna's life by making horses kneel and by pushing chariot down with his toe.Arjuna's crown, earned from the gods after several great deeds, and with a ruby embedded that added to his aura, is knocked off.
The snake approaches Karna and asks him to fire using his aid, which Karna refuses, saying he would not,not if he has to face 100 Arjunas.
The battle resumes,the snake is killed by Arjuna as he assaults him again, and Karna fires frugally as it wears on since he had no inexhaustible quiver.
He readies his last divine weapon-Brahmastra-forgets the mantra even as a shaken Arjuna looks on,and then the chariot sinks into the ground. As Karna asks for mercy and tends to his chariot, Krishna asks Arjuna to fire.ARJUNA REFUSES,even after hearing of the Abhimanyu episode.
Karna resumes the fight,tired after moving the chariot and with no divine arrows remaining.He uses a heavy arrow,hits Arjuna square in the chest, leaves him shaken but luckily not killed,and Bhima mocks that maybe he should fight Karna.Again,the chariot sinks.
This time,Karna tends to it again,and Krishna points out to Arjuna that a chariot wheel is a weapon too,and Abhimanyu died holding one.He tells Arjuna to fire the Anjalika weapon,and he does,killing Karna.
He fights and kills one of Karna's sons too,even as Karna watches,dying.
He is then tested in generosity by Krishna(the gold
tooth as alms,which he cleans using an unused arrow ),and as his soul did not leave his body due to the goodwill generated by his charity,Krishna asked him for all his life's charities as a charity.He showed Karna his Vishwaroopam, and told him to ask his final wishes.He also pledged to Karna that he would have his glory.
Karna made 3 wishes,and Krishna granted all of them and more:
Karna made 3 wishes,and Krishna granted all of them and more:
1)"Madhusudan, cremate me in a the most barren place on Earth,one with no sin,one where my deeds,good and bad, will no longer affect the world."(Krishna cremated him on his palm.)
2)"Let those who seek knowledge be granted knowledge,with no barriers before knowledge seekers."
3)"Let me be known as a suta-putra, and let the world know me as Radheya,not Kaunteya.{This too was granted,and he is known as Kuntiputra(born to Kunti) but not Kaunteya(child of Kunti).}
Now deciding their scores, Karna's death is not a victory for Arjuna.The Virata war is not one either-Samohan astra is an unfair advantage that makes opponents unable to concentrate,and Karna had to flee.Nor are Karna's brief heroics on 14th day or his feats in the princes' showcase as he could not fight Arjuna.
This leaves out the 16th day only.
This leaves out the 16th day only.
So Karna 1-0 Arjuna
And so, Karna is the best as he beat each Pandava at least once,and that too after knowing them to be his brothers. It is noteworthy that Arjuna fought him knowing him to be his worst enemy.Wonder how it would have been if he had known it was his brother-Bhagwad Gita did not prepare him for this.
As for him killing 5.5 Akshahuni in 18 days, and Karna killing ~3 in 6.5(1 on the 16th day), we can say that this was actually due to Arjuna battling Bhishma for 9.5 days before pinning Bhishma midway through 10th.Till then,Bhishma killed 10000 Pandavas and Arjuna massacred ~10000 Kauravas daily,but Kauravas had many more warriors plus Drona killing many too, so they could afford these losses,while Pandavas were losing. As1 Akshahuni=100000 warriors,Arjuna killed ~4.5 Akshahunis in 8.5 days and 1 in the first 9.5 days.
So they were almost even,with Karna only slightly superior as an archer, but a much better warrior overall as he mastered all weapons then used in warfare.Arjuna excelled only at archery.
As people:
Karna was decisive in his actions,struggled against adversity all his life and fought the war knowing he battled his brothers.No Bhagwad Gita to guide him, yet he did so.
And he never objectified his wife Vrushali or practised polygamy like the Pandavas, while Arjuna shared Draupadi.
Finally, he tried to protect Draupadi during the dice game by demeaning her.He wanted to protect her more substantially but Draupadi passed by him with a haughty look.He still wanted to protect her from harm and so, called her a whore(that time, if a woman had more that 4 husbands she was a whore. Draupadi as one, though this was an insult).He wanted the inactive Pandavas to put their foot down and stop the game, and also demean her in the eyes of Kurusabha so that they let her be.Simultaneously, he was also hiding his soft spot for her.
And he never objectified his wife Vrushali or practised polygamy like the Pandavas, while Arjuna shared Draupadi.
Finally, he tried to protect Draupadi during the dice game by demeaning her.He wanted to protect her more substantially but Draupadi passed by him with a haughty look.He still wanted to protect her from harm and so, called her a whore(that time, if a woman had more that 4 husbands she was a whore. Draupadi as one, though this was an insult).He wanted the inactive Pandavas to put their foot down and stop the game, and also demean her in the eyes of Kurusabha so that they let her be.Simultaneously, he was also hiding his soft spot for her.
But he failed on that occasion,rather comprehensively.He did help Draupadi though, when he spared Bhima's life, and also when he protected her from Vasuki by killing him.
Even on the battlefield, he displayed great respect for enemies' valor- praising Abhimanyu for his skill, and declaring him UTTAM(greatest warrior on battlefield) as he lay dying.
Their flaws:
Karna lied to his guru, and did not guide Duryodhana, instead just aiding him. He could and should have revoked him, though to no avail as it was a family matter, and Karna's parentage was not known.
Karna lied to his guru, and did not guide Duryodhana, instead just aiding him. He could and should have revoked him, though to no avail as it was a family matter, and Karna's parentage was not known.
Arjuna-failed to correct Yudhisthir during dice game, did not even appreciate Draupadi's rights, instead sharing her with brothers. He also just watched during the dice game, not putting his foot down and trying to protect her.
All he did through his life was practice archery, not even once bothering to see if all around him was in accord with dharma.
All he did through his life was practice archery, not even once bothering to see if all around him was in accord with dharma.
Also (in)famous for his pride...he swore to achieve near-impossible things or die.Had to be bailed out by Krishna multiple times.
Sources:
1)Some other answers on the topics of Karna and Arjuna by various authors on Quora eg answers of Amit Bannerjee.
2)Saral Mahabharata.
3)Painstaking effort to read unabridged Mahabharata in Sanskrit-this is why some of my answer's paragraphs have quotations-direct English translation of what I read.
4)Follow-up stories excluded by Vyasa to paint Pandavas and Karna as stronger than they were-eg Ashwathama holds off Arjuna for most of 16th day etc is not mentioned.Nor the injuries of Karna by Satyaki on 14th evening, or the fact that Bhima injured him and devastated his army every time before being defeated.Even Arjuna barely surviving 14th day after sunset is skipped, for Ashwathama did scare him.That is why the Pandavas did not even think of actually killing Ashwathama on 15th day, settling instead for the elephant.
1)Some other answers on the topics of Karna and Arjuna by various authors on Quora eg answers of Amit Bannerjee.
2)Saral Mahabharata.
3)Painstaking effort to read unabridged Mahabharata in Sanskrit-this is why some of my answer's paragraphs have quotations-direct English translation of what I read.
4)Follow-up stories excluded by Vyasa to paint Pandavas and Karna as stronger than they were-eg Ashwathama holds off Arjuna for most of 16th day etc is not mentioned.Nor the injuries of Karna by Satyaki on 14th evening, or the fact that Bhima injured him and devastated his army every time before being defeated.Even Arjuna barely surviving 14th day after sunset is skipped, for Ashwathama did scare him.That is why the Pandavas did not even think of actually killing Ashwathama on 15th day, settling instead for the elephant.
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