Paper 201_ Karna’s Existential Struggle_ Karmic Destiny and Identity Crisis.pptx

Karna’s Existential Struggle Karmic Destiny and Identity Crisis

1. Karna’s Existential Struggle: Karmic Destiny and Identity Crisis

2. NAME :- HARDII VHORA ENROLLMENT NO. :- 5108230050 SEM. :- 3 BATCH :- 2023-2025 ROLL NO. :- 08 PAPER-CODE :- 22410 PAPER NAME :- CULTURAL STUDIES SUBMITTED TO :- SMT. GARDI DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH MKBU E-MAIL:- [email protected]

3. # Table of Content:- Introduction Karna’s Identity Crisis Karmic Destiny and its Influence Karna’s Struggle throughout his life Conclusion

4. Research Question How does Karna's existential struggle between his karmic destiny and identity crisis reflect the broader themes of dharma, loyalty, and societal expectations in the Mahabharata ? Hypothesis Karna’s existential struggle, shaped by his karmic burden and societal rejection, demonstrates that the tension between individual identity and external expectations is a central narrative in the Mahabharata . This tension highlights the moral complexity of dharma, as Karna's unwavering loyalty and pursuit of selfhood ultimately serve as a critique of rigid societal norms and the inevitability of karmic retribution.

5. Introduction:- Karna: A heroic yet marginalized figure in the grand narrative of the ‘Mahabharata’ Torn between his noble lineage and societal rejection as a ‘Suta-putra’. A life shaped by the dual forces of karmic destiny and the quest for identity. Embodies the profound tension between personal selfhood and external expectations.

6. 2. Karna’s Identity Crisis:-

7. Born to Kunti and the Sun God, Surya, through a divine boon, Karna’s birth was shrouded in secrecy and fear. Kunti abandoned him as an infant to avoid societal shame, setting the stage for his lifelong identity struggle. The infant Karna was found and raised by Radha and Adhiratha, humble charioteers, who became his loving foster parents. Despite his royal lineage, Karna was identified as a ‘Suta-putra’ (charioteer’s son), marking him as an outsider in the warrior-dominated Kshatriya society. His ‘Suta-putra’ identity led to societal rejection and exclusion, igniting his internal conflict and relentless quest for recognition.

8. Karna's life begins with mystery and ends in controversy, he embodies both admiration and criticism due to his complex character. Karna was forced to follow the path of adharma against his will, despite his actions, he deserves praise for challenging colossal forces. Duryodhana declared Karna the Anga Naresh when he struggled for identity, his loyalty to Duryodhana stemmed from gratitude and a sense of indebtedness. Karna sacrificed personal pleasures to uphold his friendship with Duryodhana. Karna's identity is deeply intertwined with his friendship with Duryodhana and his struggles for recognition. (Jha 1478)

9. Karna faced aspersions from the Pandavas and Draupadi throughout his life. Despite his potential, he did not receive the recognition he deserved. Abandoned by his mother Kunti, he was raised lovingly by Adhiratha and Radha. Karna embraced his identity as a ‘suta’ and respected his foster parents deeply. He chose not to adopt a new identity to avoid hurting his foster parents. “Kunti abandoned me. She cast me out Adhiratha found me, and he and Radha loved me from the first. Out of love for me Radha‟s breast poured forth milk immediately.” (4/13) (Jha 1481)

10. 3. Karmic Destiny and its Influence :- Karmic destiny dictates Karna’s identity, role, and ultimate fate. Karna's identity crisis mirrors karmic burdens and societal expectations. Societal rejection amplifies Karna’s karmic struggles and inner conflict. Stages of self-realization offer metaphysical insight into Karna’s journey. Karna's loyalty exemplifies his dharma amidst karmic challenges. Divine irony encapsulates Karna’s virtues overshadowed by curses.

11. 4. Karna’s Struggle throughout his life:-

12. Abandoned at birth, Karna endured the pain of maternal rejection and social alienation. Denied education by Dronacharya, Karna faced barriers to fulfilling his warrior aspirations. Cursed by Parashurama, Karna’s greatest skills became futile when he needed them most. Humiliated in Draupadi’s swayamvar, Karna’s worth was undermined by societal prejudice. Bound by gratitude to Duryodhana, Karna’s loyalty often conflicted with moral righteousness. Rejected by both Kauravas and Pandavas at key moments, Karna faced isolation on all sides. Karna’s noble sacrifices were overshadowed by the relentless biases of caste and status. Despite being a skilled warrior, Karna was denied full recognition on the battlefield until his death.

13. 5. Conclusion:- Karna‟s suffering right from the beginning, his journey without having motherly affection, his bond with non-kinsmen, his constant dilemma- all were predestined. Infact, all human beings are here on the stage of life to shed off the burden of their prarabdha karmic debt. It is time which merely can liberate mundane from the delusion and establishes the truth that the true identity of a self is actually beyond body. True identity of a being reflects through stages like, Cosmic Consciousness (Kshara, the Cosmic Self), Pure-Consciousness, (Akshara, the Immortal Self) and Supreme Consciousness (Purushottama, the Supreme Self, the Whole Unified Universe). As „self-realization‟ is quite rare and as human beings belong to society, so to get the societal acknowledgment, identity is inevitable but a divine peace can be achieved if a shift can be done from physical identity to metaphysical.

14. # References:- Jha, R. K. “KARNA: HERO OR ANTI HERO? IN THE EPIC THE MAHABHARTA.” JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS , vol. 7, no. 2, 2020, p. 5, https://www.jcreview.com/admin/Uploads/Files/625ff6a4910695.56743242.pdf. Accessed 13 November 2024. Rai, Indrani Singh. “Delving Deep into Karna: Search of Self of a Divine Solitude.” International Journal of Research in Social Sciences , vol. 7, no. 12, December 2017, p. 9. http://www.ijmra.us , https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322254682_Delving_Deep_into_Karna_Search_of_Self_of_a_Divine_Solitude. Accessed 13 November 2024.

15. Thank You!