Karna - An Enigma

Karna is by far the most discussed character in Mahabharat was he an Antihero or a hero  , who was better Arjuna or Karna ,Was he right or wrong in siding Durryodhana are the question that strike one when he reads about the legendary warrior.

Let's begin by Karna the warrior who was a better him or Arjuna here I will consider Virata parva where Arjuna defeated all the mighty warriors but on contrary we have to take in mind Karna parva where he defeated all the Pandavas and Arjuna was saved by sunset,Krishma himself and PavanPutra in form of dhavaj on his chariot.But when one considers Virata yuddh one should also consider that Karna never used Vijay Dhanush of Parshuram other than war of Kurukshetra which always gave an edge to Arjuna empowered with Gandiva.So,I would cite other example which could make it a lot more clear during war of Kurukshetra Arjuna's each blow took Karna 10 steps back while Karna's blow could move Arjuna's chariot  just one step back but with lord himself and Pavanputra on same chariot such a feat was for no normal warrior he was of the same class as Arjuna I would say a notch higher.

Now,we should move to character Karna a hero or anti-hero everyone knows about Karna the Dhanveer he who knew Dharma like Dharmaraj Yudhistir himself as once said by Krishna but there were certain flaw also in him especially supporting Duryodhana in Draupadi's chirharan , Killing Abhimanyu in a cowardly manner though Draupadi herself insulted him by calling him sutputra during swayamvar but these two are considered primary reason for his fall.Still these were small compared to his good deeds hence for me he is both hero as well as anti-hero.

Finally whether he should have sided Durryodhana, when whole of society and even his mother who gave him birth rejected him and his talent for being a lower caste it was Durryodhana who gave him the status and made him Angaraj and earned his loyalty for lifetime.But the last days before war were interesting where Krishna makes him aware of the truth of his birth this creates in him soft corner for his brothers Krishna asks him to join Pandavas but Karna declines it as it would be unethical to leave Durryodhana in such trying situation he also knew that if Yuddhistir comes to know that Karna is his elder brother he will give Indraprastha's throne to him and Karna being loyal to Durryodhana will give it instead to him which will be victory of Adharma,hence in this complex situation he had no other option but to fight for Durryodhana.

Indeed Karna's life was an enigma.