I decided to read his story again...after so many years, i was able to understand his story, finally.
Karna was born to Kunti, who decided to experiment her new found power of concieving with her choice of Alpha males. The process ensures she remained a virgin after the birth. However, Kunti never had the courage to face the society as an unwed mother (As i realised then, the same Kunti became such a protective mother to her step sons! Did this change in her motherhood status come due to the fact that she was now married and thus society cannot cast aspersions on her?).
He was reared by a non kshatriya charioter. Talented Karna wanted to study at the best institute of the day (the academy of Drona). However he was denied admission on "reverse quota system". Frustrated, he decided to forge his caste certificate and thus got admitted in the institute of Parhuram. Unfortunately, he was so so devoted to his guru that he did not cry out in pain when a bee bit him. Instead of rewarded for such devotion, Karna was cursed (in effect his degree was not awarded!!!). All along, he knew something was wrong. But he did not crib.
Then he heard about a great contest that was being helt at Hastinapur. Here all the princes, particularly the prodigy Arjun would showcase their valor. Believing that the only thing that mattered was real talent, Karna set forth to participate.
There he exceled. But he was insulted, humiliated and put down by the most learned people of the kingdoms with racist and casteist comments. Kunti realised it was her son but she did not have the courage to accept him (I believe this was a critical point. Had she shown a bit more courage, millions of lives could have been saved. Karna would have been acceptable to all as the eldest brother). Duryodhana (either out of admiration or seeing his future potential) stood up for him and made him the king of Anga. Maybe this was the first time anyone had appreciated Karna for who he was. Thus, he decided to remain loyal to Duryodhana.
But things did not change. Thought he was a king, Draupadi refuses to marry him, even though he had won the contest (It was like rejecting a person for a job because of his caste, even though he was most qualified). Finally, when Kunti decides to approach him, it is not because she suddenly realised her maternal instincts for him. rather it was a case of her maternal instincts for her five other sons. Inspite of all that he had faced, he agrees to most of her request. His greatest action is when he refuses to take the crown and instead remain loyal to Duryodhana. Similarly, Lord Indra also makes him give up his armour and Karna, knowing the consequences, obliges. In the battle, his valor is known. He is finally killed in a clear violation of the rules of war.
True he was not a spotless person, say like Yudhisthira (which again is debatable)! Karna's behaviour during the Dice game was not proper, particularly his treatment to Draupadi. Also, he himself broke the rules to kill Abhimanyu.
But he was the true hero. He always had to fight in his life (unlike the other who were princes), for no fault of his own. Maybe his purpose was to serve as a tragic hero in the Mahabharata. But , he also made many wrong choices (Taking the crown from Pandavas as advised by Kunti, giving up his armour etc). He is a character, who took life as it came to him. That is his importance in the Mahabharata. He makes it believable. He is a real flesh and blood charatcter. The Pandavas and Kauravas are one dimensional characters (either good or bad), with a fixed sets of virtues and vices. They had no troubled childhood or any identity crisis. The older generation of Bhisma and Drona are shown as idealist. Their view of things were narrow and sometimes slavish (they did not protest during the dice game. Later on they agree to all demands of Duryodhana). Karna is the only person in Mahabharata whose actions are based on his own judgements and how society treated him. Before the war, he knows that they are going to lose (as he says to Krishna). But still he decides to go ahead.
Maybe he was a failure; but the only reason i wish to read the Mahabharata again is because of Karna. The characted developement was way ahead of its time. We can identify the pain and suffering he must have faced for no fault of his own. But inspite of all hardship, he believed in himself and excelled. A person who was never given the due respect by his contempories but who, neverthe less have outshone them in the long run. Thousands of years later, we are still fascinated by him!
