Plot Construction of Karna’s Task (Karnabharam)

 Plot Construction of Karna’s Task (Karnabharam)

Dr Swati Joshi

Gujarat 

 The play begins with the stage manager who after the prayer comes across some disturbing noise. A soldier from the Kuru Sena is there to describe the present scenario of the present time which symbolize a war condition. Karna is ready with his entire weapon and wearing the war dress code and want to move towards the battlefield. Salya was there as the driver of his chariot. Karna was in the ominous disposition and in that mental state he asked Salya to drive him towards Arjuna. But Karna was having feeling of brother hood for the Pandavas because the truth is that ultimately they are his younger brothers.

“In days gone by I was born of Kunti though now I am known as the son of charioteer. So Yudhishthira and the other Pandavas are my younger brothers.”32

 To come out from the feelings and emotions Karna talks to Salya about his learning of different weapons. Karna discusses about Jamadagni where he went to lean all the weapons skills. Then Jamadagni said I teach only to Brahmin people. Then Krana lied by saying that-

“I did not belong to the warrior class and began to receive instruction in the art of weapons.”33

 He further discusses that one day he was with his teacher to bring some fruits and other materials and his teacher was tired and he decided to take rest. His teacher slept in the lap of Karna for sometime but unfortunately one insect named steely teeth came and went into my thighs. He was afraid that it may cause disturbance to my teacher. He was beaten by the insect and bleed also. After seeing the bleeding Karna’s majesty became very angry by knowing that Karna lied to him regarding his caste. In fiery anger he cursed Karna that –

“Useless be thy weapons in the time of need.”34

 After this incident Karna was broken from insight. Karna was always discarded and insulted. Karna was struggling mentally but then also decided to be the part of the battlefield. This show the strength of the character of Karna where he was able to struggle till the end of his life, because it is easy to fight with other, but to fight with own family members or loved one is very difficult.

“Still Karna is ready to face the war because he says the efforts of the warrior fighting a war on the battle field never get waste or remain unrewarded. If he wins he gets fame; if he dies he gets heaven.”35

 He recalled memories to come out from his grief of past. Karna comes back to present time and asks Salya to move forward. Salya also touched with the story of Karna. On the other hand Indra was thinking that before meeting Karna that He will go in form of Angle and then he has to bless him. But Indra cannot bless with the words like- “Live Long life” and if Indra will not say anything than it would be easy to recognize him. Then Indra found the middle path by saying that-

“O Karna, eternal as the sun, the moon, the Himalayas and the ocean be your fame.”36

 When Salya was driving the chariot ahead suddenly the Angel (Indra) came there and stopped them. The Angel asked Karna to give a big boon whatever the Angel will ask Karna has to give. Karna tried to offer the Angel horses, elephants, the earth, the benefit of Agnistoma and every materialistic thing. But the Angel refused to take it. But somewhere Salya was able to identify the Angel and his intentions. But Karna was not ready to listen to Salya. Karna has decided to give whatever the Angel will ask he will give.

“Salya seeing through the deceit of Indra sounds a note of warning but Karna after stating that the sacrificial merits and gifts alone are permanent in this transient world satisfies the Brahaman who is really Indra in disguise.”37

 Indra in form of angle asked Karna to give his armor (Kavach and Kundala) to him. Karna was under the dilemma “to give or not to give” and finally he decides to give. But when Angle was going to take the armor there is a sense of guilt in him. So the Angle sends the weapon named Vimala to Karna. Vimala the weapon has Shakti which Karna can use in the battle field to kill one of the Pandavas. But Karna refused to take this by saying that he would not accept the return for the gift. Then Angle says you have to keep it because it is given by Brahman. Then Karna accepts it saying that he cannot disregard Brahman. Karna asked when and how he will get this weapon. The reply was when you will think about the weapon in your mind you will get it. After this incident Salya and Karna both are in different mental status. But both make up their minds and Karna asks Salya to move forward and take him to Arjuna. The play ends with the statement that-

“This is the sound of a conch like the roar of the ocean at the end of the world. Can it be Krishna? No, it is Arjuna’s. With his heart enraged by Yudhishthira’s defeat, he will fight to-day with all his strength. Salya drive my car where Arjun may be.”38

Dr Swati Joshi

Gujarat