How True is the Narrative about Karna being a Dhanaveer?

 This post was started ,because of a Recent comment from a Stalwart from the IT Industry implying Karna was his favorite character in the Mahabharatha ( MB) because of his Generous nature.

It seems l made a mistake by venturing into this subject for the simple fact that, MB is by any standards the Longest Epic in the world. Nearly 1,00,000 slokas amounting to nearly 2 million words. There are at least 1000 versions about this Epic.

Just the task of determining the most authentic and unabridged version in English took some time.

After some basic online search, we can narrow down to two versions known for thier authenticity.

One is the MB by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (KMG) published in 1896 which has more of the older English words

and the other is Bibek Debroy's translation of the Critical Unabridged edition( meaning checked by a group of scholars) published by the Bhandarkar Institute of Oriental Research BORI( took them nearly 50 years ).

Then I made another mistake, I went and downloaded Debroy's MB.

Now, I have to go through 3700 pages to find the Generosity reference of Karna . Or how the scene of Karna donating his kavach to a Brahmin actually turned out to be.

Please Note: All Characters in Mahabharatha have shades of Grey. You will be dissapointed, if you approach with a Black/white viewpoint.

So, what did I find?

1.Its mentioned in “kundala harana parva” under Aranya Parva of MB. Kundala means ear ring, harana is snatching/taking away.

2.Bori version section 43, chapter 583 :

Surya warns karna that, a brahmin will come to ask for Kavach+ear rings. Do not give it.

Karna says he will give it and become famous in all three worlds as becoming famous was most important to him.

Surya again warns him to not do it. Karna doesnt relent.

Surya then asks him to ask for the Vasava astra in exchange for the kavach.

KMG version doesnt mention about the surya-karna conversation.

3.Bori version Section 43,Chapter 591:

KMG version Chapter CCCVII:

Brahmin ( Indra In disguise) approaches karna during his pooja time and asks for alms.Karna asks what he wants . Brahmin replies he wants the kavach/Earrings, as that will give him the most satisfaction.

Karna says he cannot give,as that will remove his immortality cover.He instead offers him wealth,land or whatever else.Brahmim again refuses.

Karna says he knows who the Brahmin is, but still cannot give unless he gets something else in return.

Brahmin says- I knew Surya would have informed you earlier. Other than the Vajra ayudha,I can give you anything.

Karna asks for vasava Astra known to kill thousands of enemies.

Brahmin says Vasava in karna’s hand will be able to kill only one powerful person, used only once and not Kill thousands.

Karna says its ok as he only wants to kill one person ( meaning Arjuna).

Its only after this that, Karna gives his kavach/kundala and gets the Vasava Astra in exchange.

How was the Vasava used by Karna? During MB war , Krishna asks Gatotgacha to create havoc among the Kaurava Army  . As the Kaurava army is defenceless against Gatotgacha, Karna uses Vasava to kill Gatotgacha. Vasava Astra can be used only once.

Two things to be noted.

1.During Surya-Karna conversation, Karna is looking at the Fame part and deems it to be more important than loosing life.

2.During Indra-Karna conversation,Karna refuses to give Kavach at least two times and in the end gives in exchange for Vasava Astra.

Its true Karna gave Alms to a Brahmin, but it doesnt come in the category of “Dhanaveer” or the Greatest Generous personality in the MB.

So , how did this Narrative come in the modern Indian Minds?

A book called “Mritunjyay “ written by Shivaji Sawant , which was a Semi-Auto Biography on Karna, Published in 1967 .It became quite famous in Maharashtra .

Someone in Bollywood must also have read it.

The TV serial “Mahabharatha” sealed the narrative about Karna bieng “Dhanaveera Karna”.

Perhaps Indians also loved a Tragic hero. So, B R Chopra gave you one.

By the way :Karna’s name was Vasushena and also Vrisha.He bacame Karna after giving away his Divine Earrings

References: Bibek Debroys BORI CE Mahabharatha.

K M Gangully Mahabharatha.( This is Availaible online for free)