Narada continued the history of this son of Kunti, Karna, as asked by Yudhisthira.
After being cursed and blessed in this way from his Guru Parashurama, Karna then returned to Hastinapura and to the presence of his friend Duryodhana. Having obtained the science of weapons from Parashurama, Karna began to pass his days in Duryodhana's company.
Once upon a time, many kings went to the country of the Kalingas, ruled by a king named Chitrangada. The city was named Rajapura. Hearing that many kings had assembled in this city hoping to gain the King's daughter, Duryodhana accompanied by Karna, also attended the ceremony.
Some of the prominent Kings were Shishupala, Jarasandha, Bhishmaka, Vakra, Nila and Rukmi. When these kings had taken their proper seats, the King's daughter entered the arena accompanied by her guards. She was, indeed, beautiful, and all the Kings were attracted to her.
While she was being informed of the princes and Kings present, the beautiful maiden passed by Duryodhana, thus rejecting him.
Not tolerating her rejection and relying on Karna's prowess, Duryodhana took the maiden by force and put her on his chariot. There was a great uproar from all the kings present, and they all immediately put on their coats of armor to fight with Duryodhana. As they pursued the fleeing King, Karna stood to challenge them.
Singlehandedly, he fought with them and defeated them. He shattered their bows, lances, darts, maces and clubs. He killed their horses and charioteers, but left them with their lives. Thus Duryodhana obtained his queen by the grace of the powerful Karna.
Narada continued, Hearing of Karna's fame and his superior strength, Jarasandha, the ruler of Magadha, challenged him to single combat. Both warriors were masters of celestial weapons, and both were very powerful.
As their battle progressed, they soon exhausted their arrows and other weapons, and then fought with bare arms. Karna knew the secret of Jarasandha's birth and was about to sever him in two. Jarasandha, understanding his antagonists motives and feeling himself defeated, cast off his desire to fight and said, 'I am pleased with you.' Out of a desire to win his friendship, he gave Karna a town called Malini.
Thus Karna became famous on earth as a great fighter.
However, due to his being cursed by his preceptor and the brahmana, as well as his being belittled by Bhishma and Salya, Karna has been killed by the wielder of the Gandiva bow. Even though he has fallen in battle, you should not lament for this was his destiny.
After Narada had revealed Karna's history, the royal King Yudhisthira could not control his emotions and began to shed tears.
After being cursed and blessed in this way from his Guru Parashurama, Karna then returned to Hastinapura and to the presence of his friend Duryodhana. Having obtained the science of weapons from Parashurama, Karna began to pass his days in Duryodhana's company.
Once upon a time, many kings went to the country of the Kalingas, ruled by a king named Chitrangada. The city was named Rajapura. Hearing that many kings had assembled in this city hoping to gain the King's daughter, Duryodhana accompanied by Karna, also attended the ceremony.
Some of the prominent Kings were Shishupala, Jarasandha, Bhishmaka, Vakra, Nila and Rukmi. When these kings had taken their proper seats, the King's daughter entered the arena accompanied by her guards. She was, indeed, beautiful, and all the Kings were attracted to her.
While she was being informed of the princes and Kings present, the beautiful maiden passed by Duryodhana, thus rejecting him.
Not tolerating her rejection and relying on Karna's prowess, Duryodhana took the maiden by force and put her on his chariot. There was a great uproar from all the kings present, and they all immediately put on their coats of armor to fight with Duryodhana. As they pursued the fleeing King, Karna stood to challenge them.
Singlehandedly, he fought with them and defeated them. He shattered their bows, lances, darts, maces and clubs. He killed their horses and charioteers, but left them with their lives. Thus Duryodhana obtained his queen by the grace of the powerful Karna.
Narada continued, Hearing of Karna's fame and his superior strength, Jarasandha, the ruler of Magadha, challenged him to single combat. Both warriors were masters of celestial weapons, and both were very powerful.
As their battle progressed, they soon exhausted their arrows and other weapons, and then fought with bare arms. Karna knew the secret of Jarasandha's birth and was about to sever him in two. Jarasandha, understanding his antagonists motives and feeling himself defeated, cast off his desire to fight and said, 'I am pleased with you.' Out of a desire to win his friendship, he gave Karna a town called Malini.
Thus Karna became famous on earth as a great fighter.
However, due to his being cursed by his preceptor and the brahmana, as well as his being belittled by Bhishma and Salya, Karna has been killed by the wielder of the Gandiva bow. Even though he has fallen in battle, you should not lament for this was his destiny.
After Narada had revealed Karna's history, the royal King Yudhisthira could not control his emotions and began to shed tears.