Karna, also known as Vasusena, is one of
warrior characters in Hindu epic story “Mahabharata.” Karna was the gift from
Lord Surya for Kunti, Karna’s real mother, because she read “the mantra” which
given by sage Durvasa. However, even Karna was borned by the queen (as the
first social class), he was grew up by foster parents that coming from lowest
social class. It was happened because Kunti threw Karna away after his borned,
and set him afloat on a river. Adhiratha and his wife Radha who found Karna,
then adopted him and rised him up.
Beside Karna was known as great warrior
in Mahabharata, he was also known as a good person, generous, humble,
discipline, wise, and always against injustice. For example, He defied caste
system in his society which banned people from the lowest social class to get
an education (archery).
There are some Karna’s qualities that
inspiring many people in the world, among of them are integrity and never give
up. In Mahabharata, reader will find the fact that Karna is the only person “from
the lowest social class” who never give up to reach his aspiration (to study
archery), even all of his community oppose and reject him. As this article said
befor, Karna was grew up by Adhiratha and Radha, people who coming from the
lowest social class, and because of it, people in his community knew Karna as suta
putra.
Unfortunately, the India’s caste system banned
suta putra to acquire an education, especially in archery. However,
Karna didn’t want gave up on that situation. He left his home to find a master
who would teach him archery. Once upon time, Karna came to rshi
Dronacharya and begged to become one of Drona’s disciples, but Drona refused him.
Even he was rejected, that situation didn’t make Karna despondent. He left
Drona’s place and searched another rshi. Finally, Karna met rshi Parashurama,
the master who taught Karna the art of warfare and dharma, and became
one of greatest warriors.
In addition, Karna was also known as
person who never break his promise. He kept his promise to save Duryodhana, and
it was the reason why he stood with Kaurava (the evil side). He also kept his
word to his mother, Kunti, to keep all of her sons alive. The famous episode of
“Karna’s integrity” while he gave his armor of god, Kavach and Kundal, to Indra
which caused Karna’s death. Until he died, Karna always kept his promises.
Those are some qualities of Karna that inspiring people in the world. Me-Hap
