Karna, the King of Anga, was a loyal friend of Duryodhana and the eldest son of Kunti. Born as the son of Surya (the Sun God), Karna played a crucial role in the Mahabharata war. Known for his unmatched generosity, Karna earned the title Daanaveera (the great giver), as there was no one on earth who could rival him in charity.
Karna had a unique virtue—he would give anyone anything they asked for, without hesitation or second thought. However, despite his noble qualities, Karna's end was deeply tragic. The key reason for his misfortune was a curse.
Karna's Background
Karna was born to Kunti before her marriage. Unable to care for him, she placed him in a basket and abandoned him. Karna was then raised by a charioteer, leading many to mock him as a "Suta Putra" (son of a charioteer). However, Duryodhana, who valued Karna for his skills and loyalty, always stood by him, defending him against any insult. This deep bond with Duryodhana led Karna to fight on the side of the Kauravas against the Pandavas in the great war.
The Curse of Bhoomi Devi
One day, while riding through the streets of Anga, Karna noticed a child crying. When he asked why, the child explained that they had spilled ghee (clarified butter) meant for their home and feared punishment. Out of compassion, Karna decided to help. Using his strength, he extracted the ghee from the soil where it had seeped in.
As he performed this act, Bhoomi Devi (the Earth Goddess) cried out in pain and cursed Karna. She declared that at a critical moment in his life, she would hold his chariot wheel stuck in the earth, rendering him vulnerable. This curse played a pivotal role in Karna's downfall during the war.
The Curse of Parashurama
Karna was also cursed by his teacher, Parashurama. Posing as a Brahmin, Karna sought training in advanced weaponry from Parashurama. However, when Parashurama discovered Karna's true identity as a Kshatriya, he cursed him, saying he would forget the use of divine weapons at the most crucial moment of his life.
Karna's Tragic End
During the decisive moments of the Kurukshetra war, both curses took effect. While battling Arjuna, Karna's chariot wheel got stuck in the ground, fulfilling Bhoomi Devi's curse. As he struggled to free the wheel, Arjuna attacked him with a divine arrow. Parashurama's curse also came true, as Karna forgot how to counter the attack with his own celestial weapons.
Had Karna not been afflicted by these curses, defeating him in battle would have been nearly impossible. His death remains one of the most poignant and tragic events in the Mahabharata.
This story exemplifies how curses and fate shaped the destinies of even the greatest warriors in the epic.
