Many centuries has passed since the Battle of the Kurukshetra War, the stories of Danveer (Benelovent) Karna are widespread all over the world, but each has different versions of the story of Karna from Mahabharat has captivated people for centuries, & many versions & interpretations of his tale exist.
The complexity of his character, unwavering loyalty & tragic fate continue to spark discussions about fate, morality and human experience.
As with any mythological or epic character, different retellings & adaptations may emphasize certain aspects of Karna's story or offer different perspectives on his character.
These variations can lead to diverse interpretations & understandings of his life & the factors that contributed to his potrayal as an unlucky & unfortunate figure
Regardless of the specific version, Karna's story serves as a reminder of the complexities of life, the power of choices & the integrity of fate & personal agency.
His character resonates with audiences because he embodies the struggles, dilemmas & virtues that transcend time & cultures.
Just like everyone but somewhat different, a young boy aged 18 named Akash was reading "Mrityunjaya" about Karna's whole journey, suffering, happiness & sacrifice.
As he delved deeper into the pages, Akash found himself engrossed in Karna's life, emphasizing with his struggles & admiring his unwavering loyalty
Akash was captivated by Karna's unwavering determination & his adherence to his principles, even in the face of adversity.
He was moved by Karna's unwavering loyalty to Duryodhan, despite knowing that the path he chose will lead to his downfall.
Akash pondered the significance to such loyalty & wondered if he would be capable of such unwavering dedication.
The book "Mrityunjaya" depicted Karna's childhood, where he faced rejection & discrimination due to his low birth. Akash emphasized with Karna's pain & longing for acceptance.
He questioned society's prejudices & the unfairness of a person's worth being determined by their birth rather than their character.
As Akash continued reading, he witnessed Karna's encounter with Lord Krishna, where the deity revealed Karna'e true heritage & offered him to switch sides in the war. Akash marvelled the moral dilemma Karna faced.
Should he abandon his loyalty to Duryodhan, who has stood by his side during his difficult times, or should he side with the truth & righteousness represented by Krishna & his Pandavas?
Akash's mind raced with questions about the nature of loyalty, righteousness & the choice must make in life. He contemplated the consequences of Karna's decision to remain loyal to his friend, even if it means aligning with the forces of evil? Was it a noble sacrifice or a failure?
As Akash reached the climax of the book, he couldn't help but shed tears at Karna's fate. Despite his skills, valor & vurtuous intentions, Karna met his end on his battlefield, succumbing to the arrows of his half brother Arjun.
Akash felt a profound sense of loss, mourning the untimely demise of a character who had become so real & relatable to him.
Finishing the book, Akash gently closed it, his mind filled with a mix of emotions. He recognized the power of storytelling & how it could transcend & touch the hearts of people across generations.
Karna's story has left an incredible mark on Akash's consciousness, igniting a desire to explore the complexities of life, fate & personal choices
"If i were in Karna's place, i would live my life without regret & make choices based on my principles" Akash muttered to himself. He contemplated the lessons he learned from Karna's life & the impact they could have on everyone's life
Timeskip
Akash's heart skipped a beat as he remembered the day he discovered the truth about his birth mother. His matron at the orphanage had shown him a picture captured in a CCTV camera, revealing a woman who looked strikingly similar to him.
She explained that a kind stranger had found him as a baby near the orphanage's doorstep and that this woman was believed to be his biological mother.
The revelation stirred a mix of emotions within Akash. On one hand, he felt a glimmer of hope and a newfound sense of identity.
Knowing that he had a biological mother out there meant that he was not entirely alone in the world.
On the other hand, he couldn't help but wonder why his mother had abandoned him and why he had ended up at the orphanage.
The meeting with his birth mother had been a horrible shock for Akash. After months of searching and making inquiries, he finally managed to track her down.
Their meeting was filled with tension, and it quickly became apparent that his mother had no desire to reconnect with him. She expressed regret for his existence and made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with him.
The rejection pierced Akash's heart like a thousand arrows. He couldn't understand why his mother would harbour such disdain for him. The sense of abandonment and betrayal weighed heavily on him, leaving him with a deep sense of emptiness.
In the aftermath of the meeting, Akash struggled to come to terms with his mother's rejection. He grappled with feelings of unworthiness and wondered if he was inherently flawed or unlovable.
The pain of his past, combined with the monotony of his current life, created a potent cocktail of despair and longing for something more meaningful.
*Sigh*
"Why does this even matter now? I am already unwanted."
As Akash sat on the park bench, his heart heavy with the weight of his past, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness.
The rejection from his birth mother had left a deep scar, reminding him of his feelings of unworthiness and questioning his place in the world.
After sitting for more than half an hour which was break time, Akash finally stood up from the bench, wiping away a few stray tears that had escaped his eyes.
He took a deep breath, determined to push through the heaviness that weighed him down. As he walked back to the office.
[After Some Hours]
At night, after completing his work, Akash returned to his small cabin, At the corner was a small bed where he lay down, his mind still buzzing with thoughts and emotions, Which forced down the corners of his consciousness.
Only one sentence escaped his lips before tiredness took over him.
"Please God, grant me the strength to find my purpose and create a life of meaning."
With those words lingering in the air, Akash drifted off to sleep which he never awake from or did he?
____________
Akssh opened his eyes and found himself in a place that hold nothing but him, He found himself in a vast, empty space, devoid of any discernible features or landmarks.
It felt neither real nor imaginary, as if suspended in a void between existence and non-existence. He stood there, taking in his surroundings, a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty filling his heart.
As he walked forward, the space seemed to shift and transform, taking on ephemeral shapes and colours. He felt a strange energy coursing through him, a sensation that seemed both familiar and foreign at the same time. It was as if this place held the essence of something greater, something beyond his understanding.
Akash continued to explore, his footsteps echoing in the vastness. He wondered if he was dreaming or if he had truly transcended into another realm. The absence of answers only deepened his intrigue, pushing him to seek further.
After what felt like an eternity, Akash noticed a shimmering light in the distance. It glowed softly, beckoning him closer. With a mix of trepidation and anticipation, he quickened his pace, drawn to the enigmatic source.
As he approached the light, it began to take shape, forming a figure, Which every Hindu know so well-
"Mahadev!!!"
Akash immediately went to his knees and a great amount of adoration filled his heart. (Because we love our favourite god, Shiva)
*Sigh*
"Why does everyone have to greet me like this? Anyway, I would just inform you that You are dead."
Akash's eyes widened in surprise as he heard Lord Shiva's words. The revelation left him momentarily speechless, his mind racing to comprehend the implications of his current state.
"Dead?" Akash managed to stammer, his voice filled with disbelief. "But... how?"
Lord Shiva smiled gently, his eyes radiating a sense of calm wisdom. "You have completed your journey in the mortal realm, Akash," he explained. "Your time on Earth has come to an end, and now you find yourself in the realm between existence and non-existence."
Akash's mind swirled with a whirlwind of emotions. Confusion, disbelief, and a tinge of fear clouded his thoughts. He struggled to grasp the reality of his situation and what it meant for his future.
"But, Lord Shiva," Akash began, his voice trembling, He didn't even hear about his time had come but more forced on death part.
"Did you not say that if you were to be in Karna's place you would do things differently."