Long thread: Karna-Arjuna comparison is very common. But only those whose knowledge is limited to televised version of the Mahabharata would hold Karna =/> Arjuna. 1/n https://twitter.com/itsanandneel/status/1240992201791770626

Many probably hold Karna in high regard as he was killed while pulling out his ratha, taking this to mean that he was a warrior of calibre same as Arjuna, and couldn't be defeated by him. This isn't true. 2/n

Karna was defeated by Arjuna in Virat Yuddh, Draupadi Swayamvar, and also by Abhimanyu in the final war (Also remember that both Karna and Arjun had great teachers - Dronacharya and Parashurama) 3/n

In fact, Karna would have been killed by Bhima himself when on the Digvijay Yatra in eastern India. Bhima had thoroughly defeated Karna in the battlefield, and the latter was only protected because of his divya kavach 4/n

Divya kavach, like divya astras, are not a measure of a warrior's skill. They are meant to be used in exceptional circumstances for the welfare of humanity (Remember, Bhishma had banned use of divya astras in the war, however this rule was later broken) 5/n

If one understands carefully, the fight between Karna and Arjuna symbolises a fight between Nara and Ahankara (Arjuna and Srikrishna are Nara-Narayana). 6/n

Both Karna and Arjuna are humans and both make mistakes. But Arjuna has surrendered himself to Sri Krishna, and therefore, the supreme lord himself takes care to not let ahankara take root. (Arjuna and Srikrishna are Nara-Narayana) 7/n

On multiple occasions through out, whenever ahankara starts taking root in Arjuna, Srikrishna arranges for a rude awakening (Remember Hanuman-Arjun milan?) And upon realising his mistake, Arjuna humbly accepts, apologises and corrects it. 8/n

This is not the case with Karna. He makes mistakes - it was Karna who gave the idea to disrobe Draupadi, and called her a whore - but doesn't accept/correct them. 9/n

He also fails to give good advice to Duryodhana, which he should have, as a friend (like Vidura gives to Dhritrashtra, Srikrishna gives to Arjuna etc). During the war with Gandharvas, Karna flees leaving Duryodhana to be captured. 10/n

Examples would make the thread too long, but readers can read Mahabharata and see that all the actions of Karna revolve around his Ahamkara. And Ahamkara is the prime hurdle in journey towards liberation. 11/n

On the other hand, Arjuna is guided by Srikrishna on the path of Nishkama Karma. 12/n

It would also be a mistake to see Karna and Arjuna from an identitarian perspective, especially by ascription of aadhunic identities like caste, etc.

This is made clear by comparing it with a Karna-Arjuna type situation in Ramayana 13/n

In Dwapara, Arjuna is the ansh of Indra, and Karna is the ansh of Surya. Arjuna gets the support of Vishnu-avatar Srikrishna.

In Treta, Bali is the ansh of Indra and Sugriv is the ansh of Surya, and the latter gets the support of Vishnu-avatar Srirama. 14/n

So, it is not about identities. Worldly identities are ever-changing. To use Geeta's phrase, Jiva changes them like clothes. They don't matter. 15/n

Body is samsaric abode of atman - is destructible and temporary, and therefore, the identities and relations associated with it are also temporary.

What defines the gati of a jeeva is Karma - one’s actions, and not how one/others identify him(self) 16/n

In fact, see the difference of attitude between Karna and Krishna despite the similarities in their situations.

Srikrishna belongs to the Yadu clan - Yadu was dispossessed by his father Yayati's shaapa (curse) to lose Kshatriya-hood. 17/n

There are many stories in Mahabharata of Yadavas not being invited to Kshatriya ceremonies on account of this shaapa.

Krishna is also many times insultingly called gwala (cowherd), makhanchor, etc (Remember Shishupala?)

18/n

Interestingly, he is also lovingly called by the same names - a cow-herd, makhanchor, ranchhod.

Krishna is not a king, and one would notice he is also not referred to as Raja kumara (a least not as frequently) 19/n

But Krishna smilingly accepts all these addresses. He is not a right fighter (I am right, I am right) but a right-doer, even it comes at the cost of "I"
20/n

If leaving Mathura for Dwarka is the right thing to do, Srikrishna will do it. Doesn't matter if he is called "Ran chhod" This is Nishkama Karma.

(One would be reminded of 'prabal prem ke pale pad kar..') 21/n

Mahabharata is much more interesting read if one ventures into deeper meanings. Karna - Ahamkara, Arjuna-Krishna - Nara Narayana, Draupadi - Kali, Duryodhana - Dwapara etc. 22/n

I realise that this thread is incomplete without discussing Bhakti-Yoga, Yuga dharma, and the concept of Avataras etc. But all that for some other time. 23/n