Karna Shapadham - Mali Madhavan Nair(1915 to 1994) BACK
This is a story from Mahabharata portraying the trueness of the friendship between Karna and Duryodhana. Duryodhana's wife Bhanumati fears that her husband may die during the Kurukshetra war. Duryodhana tries to allay her fears but becomes unsuccessful. At that time Karna enters the scene. Karna tells her that he lives only for Duryodhana and he will wipe out the Pandavas for the sake of Duryodhana. He says that that he will fire arrow after arrow and fight and fight until the last drop of blood running in his body. He says he will make Duryodhana the unquestioned king of the empire. Karna's words have the desired affect on her.
Later Karna goes for his bath in the Ganges. Random thoughts disturb him. Who is my real father? Who is my real mother? Why are these thoughts repeatedly haunting me? Kunti, mother of Pandavas comes to meet him there. Karna is astonished and asks why she has come to meet him. Kunti requests Karna to change to the side of the Pandavas. Then she tells the part of her story which she had told none. She says that he is the son she begot from Sun God and her eldest son. She says if Karna joins the Pandavas the Kingdom is his for the asking. Karna is shocked and confused by this revelation but refuses to leave his best friend Duryodhana. But he gives a small allowance that he will not kill any of the other four Pandavas except Arjuna, his longtime adversary.
Dussasana comes to know the happenings in the river bank through spies and promptly reports to Duryodhana. Duryodhana tells Karna he has no objection if Karna goes away from him. Karna is so hurt he tries to kill himself but Duryodhana stops him. Karna says he will fight only for Duryodhana. Then he takes a vow that between himself and Arjuna only one will remain alive before the war ends. This is Karna Shapadham - Karna's Vow.
In this story Karna is Pacha, Duryodhana is Kathi, Dussasana is Red Beard and the ladies are minuku.