Vedic Wisdom Talks

  Loyalty   As Kunti said to Karna that one’s highest religious duty is to satisfy his mother & father in all respects, Karna replied: My dear Kunti, I do not agree that obedience to you is my highest duty, because you abandoned me after my birth. By thus depriving me of the honor that accompanies a kshatriya birth, you acted as my enemy. Never before have you shown me any motherly affection & so how is it that you are appealing to me now? For this reason, I can understand that you have approached me only out of self-interest   Besides, since I already vowed to help Duryodhana, everyone would think that I deserted him out of fear. After being practically worshiped by the Kaurava king for so many years, how can I betray his friendship & frustrate his cherished hope of defeating the Pandavas with my help?   O Kunti, I don’t want to pacify you with false assurances & so I am telling you the truth in a straightforward manner. I will not desert Duryodhana,...

  Who we are?   Karna said to Sri Krsna: I know that victory lies with the righteous. I’m certain that we will all lay down our lives in the impending war Krsna said: Dear Karna! A mass annihilation is certainly at hand, for you were unwilling to accept My truthful words Karna said: Dear Lord! I hope that I’m able to meet You again after the battle is over-either as a survivor, or more likely in heaven   After saying this, Karna embraced Krsna very tightly. Then upon receiving Lord’s permission he returned to Hastinapur   In this way Sanjay described the conversation between Sri Krsna & Karna to Dhritrāshtra. Meanwhile, after Krsna’s departure, Vidura went to Kunti-devi & said: I’m very unhappy that Krsna’s peace mission turned out to be a failure. Indeed, I’m in so much anxiety over impending war that I cannot sleep at night   Queen Kunti said: I condemn the wealth & prestige over which this bloody battle will be fought. In spite of being so abomina...

  Falldown! Karna said to Sri Krsna: Pls ensure that all Kshatriyas who take part in this great war will meet with a glorious death. Let the battle be fought at holy place of pilgrimage, Kurukshetra, so that all great heroes on both sides will attain heavenly destination Krsna enquired: Karna! Does not the thought of becoming the emperor of entire world appeal to you at all? When Karna remained silent, Krsna could understand his determination was fixed & so He ceased from any further attempt to persuade him to join Pāndavās Sri Krsna said: Karna you should return to Hastinapur now & give this message to Bhisma, Drona & Krpa: Leaders of Kuru army! The present month is very pleasant as weather is not too hot nor too cold. The roads are dry, there are practically no flies & the trees are filled with fruits. Therefore after 7 days, upon the appearance of new moon, let the battle between you & Pandavas begin. You should assure the assembled kings that I will fulfill ...

  Bound by! Sanjay told Dhritrāshtra about what Sri Krsna told Karna: He is son of Kunti & hence is the eldest brother of Pāndavās. He should leave Duryodhana & become emperor of the entire earth. Yudhisthira will ride on his side, fanning him with cāmara, Bhima will hold royal umbrella over his head & Arjun will personally take reins of Karna’s chariot & thus he will enjoy more prestige than any other king in world's history After contemplating this verbal picture painted by the supreme artist, Karna replied: Dear Krsna, I know that You are speaking to me as my genuine friend & well-wisher. I also know that Kunti-devi is my real mother, but she heartlessly abandoned me at birth & disregardeed my welfare On the other hand, Adhiratha & Rādha raised me very affectionately, just as if I was their begotten son. How can I forsake them, denying them their Pinda (offerings made in srāddha ceremony)? Adhiratha performed all purifying rites for me, had brāhmanās...

  Cleansing! Sri Krsna offered His obeisances to Kunti-devi & after circumambulating her, He departed. The Kuru warriors continued to follow Krsna, but at last they returned except Karna, whom the Lord took on His chariot. As Krsna rode out of the city & after talking to Karna for some time, He made him turn back as well As Krsna quickly proceeded towards Upaplavya, along with Sātyaki, all the Kurus exclaimed: Now we are surely doomed because Duryodhana has foolishly ignored Sri Krsna’s advice! Bhisma & Drona went to see Duryodhana & informed him of Queen Kunti’s message to her sons. In this way, they assured him that Pāndavās would soon give up their forgiving attitude & attempts for peace too. They also informed Duryodhana about inauspicious omens seen around Hastināpur & concluded by saying: You should embrace Pāndavās brotherly affection, unless you desire to lie down dead on battlefield Duryodhana simply remained silent, while gloomily hanging his head ...