The Mahabharata and the Ramayana have wonderful short stories- each of which has a message for each one of us. What does Karna teach us here?
One day during the war, Karna came face to face with Arjuna. Each did his best to defeat the other. The two were so well- matched neither could win.
But luck was with the Pandavas. During the battle the wheel of Karna’s chariot broke. He was badly wounded and he could no longer fight. So his soldiers took him away from the battlefield to a safe place.
Lord Krishna drove Arjuna’s chariot. He had often told Arjuna about Karna’s charity and nobility. He had always praised Karna. Arjuna was sad to hear that the brave and kind Karna had been badly wounded. Karna was no the point of death. `Alas!’ Arjuna Sighed, `now I will never know the kindness of Karna. What unlucky person I am!’ `you need not worry about it’, replied Krishna. `You will be able to meet him. Come; let us go to meet him.’
Lord Krishna and Arjuna dressed themselves as Brahmins and went to Karna. `O kind Raja Karna,’ they said. `We have heard about your charity. We are poor Brahmins and we are traveling to holy places. We want some bhiksha. We hope that you will not send us away empty –handed,’
`Friends, you have come to me at the wrong time. What bhiksha can I give you? Karna Replied. `I am dying and I cannot move because of my wounds. All my soldiers have gone to the battlefield. How can I be of any service to you in this condition?’
`But, Raja Karna,’ said they. `We have heard a lot about yo9ur charity. We have heard that nobody goes empty-handed from your door.’
Karna did not speak. So the two visiting Brahmins turned to go. Karna called them back. He remembered that he had a tooth of gold. He wanted to offer that as bhiksha to the Brahmins. But he did not have the strength to pull it out. Karna saw a small stone lying near him. `Could you give me that stone?’ he said to the Brahmins. They said and we are Brahmins and we do not pick up stones.’ With great effort Karna reached the stone. Blood began to flow from his wounds. He picked up the stone and hit his gold tooth with it. His tooth fell on the ground but it was covered with blood.
`O holy Brahmins,’ said Karna. `Here is the Bhiksha. Please take what I give humbly.’
O Karna! You say that we are holy. But remember that holy persons do not touch anything covered with blood,’ they said.
`I cannot move out of my bed. Please bring a little water for me. I will wash this tooth for you,’ said Karna. The Brahmins became angry and said, `you think that we are ordinary Brahmins/ you are wasting our time.’ `Just stay for a minute,’ requested Karna. Then he picked up his bow and arrow. He shot an arrow into the earth. A stream of pure water came out. Karna washed his tooth with water and offered it as bhiksha to the Brahmins.
Arjuna was greatly moved. Tears came into his eyes. He could never imagine that a man could make so great a sacrifice to help the poor and the needy. Then Lord Krishna told Karna who they were. Karna understood and at once he bowed low before Lord Krishna. Then Arjuna said, `I knew you only as a warrior who fought against us. Now I know how noble you are. Your name will live as long as the world lasts.’ Karna could not speak a word. Tears came into his eyes. Then Lord Krishna raised his hand and blessed Karna.