Karṇa
The structural-tragic hero of the Mahabharata; demigod son of Sūrya by Kuntī in girlhood, pre-marriage. Born clad in the kavacha (divine armor) and kuṇḍala (earrings) — Sūrya's paternal gifts conferring invulnerability. Abandoned by Kuntī in shame; raised by the Sūta charioteer Adhiratha and his wife Rādhā as Vasuṣeṇa. Cursed twice — by Paraśurāma (whose tutelage he obtained by claiming to be a brahmin: the Brahmāstra-mantra will fail him at his moment of greatest need) and by a brahmin whose cow he accidentally killed (his chariot wheel will sink into the earth in his decisive battle). Surrenders the kavacha and kuṇḍala to Indra disguised as a brahmin (Vana Parva 308) — supreme dāna at the cost of his life. Receives the Vāsavī Śakti in return; spends it on Ghaṭotkaca on Krishna's strategic compulsion. Discovers his true parentage from Kuntī on the eve of Kurukshetra (Udyoga Parva 144); promises her she will retain five sons either way. Killed by Arjuna on day seventeen when both curses converge — wheel sunk, mantra failed — and Krishna counsels Arjuna to strike against the rules of combat. Yudhiṣṭhira learns of the brotherhood only afterward; the discovery devastates him. The Karṇa Parva (Book 8) is wholly devoted to him.
Parentage
Children
Domains
- archery equal to Arjuna
- generosity dāna supreme
Powers
- cursed brahmastra mantra
- Invokes infallible celestial weapons
- Is invulnerable through inborn armor
Epithets
- सूर्यपुत्र
- राधेय
- वसुषेण
- दानवीर
Relations
- sibling: Yudhiṣṭhira
- sibling: Arjuna
- sibling: Bhīma
- enemy: Arjuna
- father of: Vṛṣasena
- father of: Citrasena
- father of: Satyasena
- father of: Suṣeṇa
- father of: Vṛṣaketu