Episode#71
The seventeenth day, a great battle followed, the son of Surya Karna aimed a dazzling fire spitting, double tongued serpent like arrow at Arjuna, Krishna instantly pressed the vehicle down five fingers deep in the mid, so that the serpent shaft missed Arjuna's head but struck off his helmet. Arjuna was furious and he fixed a determined dart on his bow to end Karna.
But Karna left side of his wheel of his chariot suddenly sank in the bloody mire. He jumped down to lift the wheel up from the mud "Wait a minute" he cried. "My chariot has sunk in the ground and knowing dharma as you do, you would certainly not take unfair advantage of this situation. I shall set my chariot right and I will give you all the battle you want."
Arjuna hesitated. A perplexed Karna remembered the curse pronounced on him and again appealed to Arjuna! Krishna intervened. "Ha, Karna!" He exclaimed, "It is good that you do remember that there are fair things - now that you are in difficulty. But when you, Duryodhana, Dusshasana and Sakuni dragged Draupadi to the assembly and insulted her, how was it you forgot them utterly? You, with the help of Sakuni and Duryodhana counterfeit dices cheated Yudhishtira, who was fond of dice play buy was unskilled at it. Where had your fair play disappeared then? Was it fair play to refuse to give to Yudhishtira his kingdom when according to the pledge the twelve years of forest life and the thirteen year incognito were duly completed? What had happened to the dharma you appeal for now? You conspired with the wicked men who sought to poison and kill Bhima. You participate in the dubious plot to burn the Pandavas alive in the wax palace. What had happened to dharma all that time? What did dharma tell you when violent hands were laid on Draupadi and you were enjoying the sight? Did you not then mock at her saying "your husbands have left you unprotected, go and marry another husband?" The tongue that was not ashamed to utter those words now talks of chivalry! Chivalry indeed! When you all mobbed young Abhimanyu and shamelessly slew him, was that chivalry? Wicked man, do not talk now of chivalry and fair play, for you have never honoured them!"
As Krishna reprimanded Karna in order to urge Arjuna to prompt action! Karna bent his head with shame and uttered not a word but silently ascended the chariot leaving wheel unattended, took his bow and aimed an arrow at Arjuna with such power that it stunned him for a moment! Karna jumped down again to hurriedly lift the chariot wheel up. But the wheel did not budge; he tried to recall the mantras of mighty astras learnt from sage Parasurama, but his memory failed in the hour of his needs as per sage Parasurama curse.
"Waste no time Arjuna," cried Krishna "Send your shaft and observe a Kshatriya's dharma!" Arjuna's mind was wavering. His hand hesitated to do what was not chivalrous but when Krishna commanded, Arjuna accepted his command of the Lord and sent an arrow that severed Karna's head.
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When Draupadi heard the news of Karna's death, her eyes filled with tears as she remembered he had saves her form being molested by Vasuki....! She paid her tribute "Hey Angraj Karna, you had protected my modesty and had risen to a divine level in my eyes! I Panchali, wife of Pandavas, the daughter of king Drupada, the sister of Dhrishtadyumna and mother of five brave sons, respect you on par with my husbands." And she wept on the death of Karna.
Why destiny had designed him to be the undisputed recipient of gross injustice for no fault of his? The only best thing that could happen in Karna entire life was Vasudev Krishna did his last rites with his Divine hands...!
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