Karna-Arjuna Conflict during Draupadi's Self Choice Ceremony

I am making this post in order to clarify some illogical argument being propagated through some quarter.

The argument that are being made -

1. Karna challenged Arjuna just to test him.

2. Karna won the battle against Arjuna.

3. Karna desisted fighting more because Arjuna ‘lied’ under guise of a Bramhin.

Lets go back the event and see the context first place and why the conflict started -

Arjuna under guise of a bramhin attire participate in the archery contest and successfully lift and strings the bow and then hit the target which makes him an eligible person to win the hand of Draupadi. Draupadi happily garlanded him.

Point to be notice here that Arjuna performed a task that no kings could perform. Every king failed to string the bow.

So at this point Arjuna under guise of bramhins gave the test of his skill already.

Why the conflict started -

“Vaishampayana said, ‘When the king expressed his desire to give his daughter to that great-souled Brahmana, all the assembled kings looked at each other and were filled with anger. The kings said, “We are assembled here and he passes us over like straw. He wishes to give Droupadi, supreme among women, to a Brahmana. This evil-hearted one does not respect us. Let us kill him. He does not deserve our respect or veneration because of qualities of age. On account of this, let us kill this wretch who insults kings and their sons. After inviting and entertaining in the proper fashion all the kings with food, he then shows them disrespect. In this assembly of kings, which is like a conclave of the gods, can he not find a single king who is his equal? The sacred texts clearly say that a svayamvara is for Kshatriyas; Brahmanas have no right in the choice of a husband. O kings! If this lady does not wish one of us as her husband, let us throw her into the fire and return to our kingdoms. Though that Brahmana has done injury to kings out of his impertinence and greed, he should not still be killed. After all, our kingdoms, lives, riches, sons, grandsons and all our other wealth exist for the sake of Brahmanas. But something must be done to prevent insult and to protect our own dharma, so that other svayamvaras do not end like this one.” Having said this, those tigers among kings, with arms like clubs, rushed at Drupada with diverse weapons, so as to kill him.”

Reference - The Mahabharata Translated By Bibek Debroy Book- 1 Draupadi - Svaymvara Parva.

The intent - The all assembled kings made their intent very clear - they wanted to kill Drupada and in case Draupadi refuses to choose any of the king as her husband then throw her in to the fire. They made it very loud and clear and unless some is deaf he should have no other assumption.

However, the moment kings rushed at Drupada, he asked protection from Bramhins. Bhima and Arjuna under guise of Bramhins rushed to protect him and therefore the conflict started between them.

Now see what happens -

Seeing the Kshatriyas, with Karna leading them, furious to do battle, they fell upon them, like two elephants against hostile elephants. Eager to fight, those kings then said, “It is permissible to kill a Brahmana who is willing to fight.” Then the mighty Vaikartana Karna rushed at Arjuna, eager to fight, like an elephant rushes at a rival over a female elephant.

Reference - The Mahabharata Translated By Bibek Debroy Book- 1 Draupadi - Svaymvara Parva.

It was clearly stated Karna was leading the Khsatriyas and he was much aware about the intent of all kings. There is no mention that Karna wanted to ‘test’ the bramhin. At that point the intent was very clear Kill Drupada and force Draupadi to chose some one from the kings. Knowingly if some one leading the Khstriyas then he was merely one of them sharing the same intention.

Second point to notice, Kings said it is permissible to kill Bramhin who is willing to fight. Then Karna rushed at Arjuna.

Now the original Fight -

“‘Seeing Vaikartana Karna rush towards him, the wise Arjuna stretched his mighty bow and pierced him with three arrows. The impact of these sharp arrows stunned Radheya and he approached with greater circumspection. Then those two invincible warriors fought violently, each eager to vanquish the other. Such was the speed that they became invisible. “Look at the strength in my arms”, “See how I countered that”, they taunted each other in words that only warriors understand. Seeing the valour in Arjuna’s arms, unparalleled on earth, Vaikartana Karna fought even more vigorously. Repulsing Arjuna’s swift arrows, Karna shouted out aloud and the warriors applauded his feat.”

Reference - The Mahabharata Translated By Bibek Debroy Book- 1 Draupadi - Svaymvara Parva.

First place if some one count that “Repulsing some one’s arrows means win or gaining upper hand then it is a flawed assumption.

A win in a conflict means the person has achieved the goal or fulfilled the motive or intention of the war. Karna was no where close of killing Drupada or forcing Draupadi to chose a husband.

Second gaining upper hand means you have pushed you opponent to a position of disadvantage or you made an impact whether is physical or psychological impact on opponent. Karna just successfully defended himself from Arjuna’s arrows and started chest thumping. On top of that all his follower Khsatriyas cheered him because he was leader of those Khsatriyas in that conflict. So obviously they will cheer. But as I mentioned that his attack had no impact on Arjuna - Physical or Psychological.

Karna eventually forgot his motive or fighting and started asking question on Bramhin’s identity on getting impressed by Arjuna’s skill.

On reply Arjuna answered the following thing -

“Hearing these words, Phalguni replied, “O Karna! I am not the science of weapons personified. Nor am I the powerful Rama. I am only a Brahmana, chief among warriors and supreme among those who have the knowledge of weapons. Through my preceptor’s grace, I have become skilled in the use of brahma and paurandara weapons. O warrior! Wait for a bit. I stand here today, to vanquish you in battle.” At these words, Radheya Karna withdrew from the battle, because the maharatha thought that Brahmana strength was invincible.”

Reference - The Mahabharata Translated By Bibek Debroy Book- 1 Draupadi - Svaymvara Parva.

• He literally challenged Karna. Now A khsatriya when challenged should accept it and fight. Karna withdrew because he imagined a disadvantage position against the bramhin for himself.

• He knew Arjuna as bramhin from beginning as Arjuna performed the task in Bramhin attire. The Khsatriyas clearly gave clear justification that it was fine to kill a Bramhin if challenged.

• There are ample example of such conflicts. Bhishma fought against Parashurama. Pandavas fought against Drona, Kripa and Asvathamma in Kurushetra War. Visvamitra as King fought against Vasistha. Parashurama fought against Kartavirya Arjuna.

• So Karna withdrew because suddenly he discovered Arjuna’s identity as Bramhin doesn’t make any sense.

• He started the war with a clear intent and he was the one leading the Khsatriyas and it was he who withdrew. Arjuna didn’t changed his dress, identity - he maintained the same attire from the beginning.

• There was no mention that he wanted to test Arjuna. He asked for identity when he found Arjuna a difficult opponent. Before that he was leading the Khsatriyas knowing well of their intent - which makes him a participant.

• Karna usually flees from battles when ever he find himself in a difficult position or position of disadvantage.

  • He fled against Gandharvas. He fled in Virata war. He fled on 13th day battle against Abhimanyu. He fled from Bhima multiple times on 14th day. He fled from Arjuna on 14th day and Asvathamma saved him.

  • Here he imagined a position of disadvantage against Bramhin and withdrew himself.

So end of the day Arjuna, Drupada and Draupadi all remained unharmed. It was Khsatriyas who failed to fulfill their intention and therefore they must be considered defeated. As simple as it is. Chest thumping won’t hand over a win!!!

• Karna along with other warriors wanted to kill Drupada and force Draupadi to choose a husband from them. They had plan to throw her to fire if she had refused. He was no one to test some one to check whether the person was suitable to garland Draupadi or not when Draupadi and her father both accepted him. He was an invited guest and should have left respectfully.

• While the battle remain inconclusive, Karna didn’t had any upper hand. Even after challenge of Arjuna he withdrew himself. “Repulsing” some one’s arrows means defending successfully. It doesn’t mean an upper hand unless there is a proof of either physical or psychological impact on opponent. There is no proof that Arjuna was in any disadvantage position at that moment.

• There were many fight happened between Bramhins and Khsatriyas. Arjuna under guise of Bramhin challenged Karna so he could have accepted the challenge if wanted.