“You left me too early Karna. Too early” sobbed Duryodhan beside the muscular body of Karna, pierced with an arrow, lying dead on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. “You were everything to me. Everything. And without you, the war means nothing. I have lost the greatest treasure, my friend. What would life be without you?”
Duryodhan held Karna’s hand in his, gently caressing his head and weeping. “You were a Pandava and you still never let go of my hand. Though you were aware that the Pandavas are your brother, you never betrayed me and fought courageously against them. You are the epitome of friendship. You sacrificed your life for the promise you made to me. I am blessed to have you, friend. Truly blessed. You were the best thing that happened to me in my dark life of suffering. I mean it.”
Duryodhan took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his mind traveled into the past. The day he met Karna.
” I challenge Arjun” emerged a brave voice from the crowd. Karna stepped ahead. He was young then, his chest blazing with the divine armor he was born with. He raised his bow and stepped on the ground beside Arjun. While all the eyes were gazing at the warrior who reflected courage and determination in his deep eyes, Karna’s eyes were fixed at Arjun, effortlessly displaying a soft warm smile.
“Who are you,” asked Arjun, coldly, failing to return the warmth.
“Karna” he replied proudly. The son of a charioteer was denied to showcase his skills as he failed to be a Kshatriya. At the moment all I felt was the denial Karna felt. He was denied to compete because he wasn’t a Kshatriya, even though his skills suggested otherwise. I stepped ahead, looking straight into his eyes that were moist but daring, and announced that he is the King of Anga. At that very moment, I made him Angaraj. “Nothing must stop you from proving your worth in society friend. Prove them your skills.”
Karna bent down, touched my feet, and raised his hands, bowing at me. “You accepted me. I would sacrifice my life for you”
“Why don’t you live instead and be my friend?”
“Is there any way I could repay you?”
“All I want is your endless friendship, Karna”. He embraced me and whispered, “I promise.”
Duryodhan opened his eyes and wiped his tears. ” Karna, you do not know to hide tears. I knew you were crying when you embraced me.”
“You suffered more than I did. Your life was a curse. Abandoned at birth, yearning for respect all your life only to reveal your past that held Mata Kunti as your mother. The child of the sun god, you could have betrayed me. The Pandavas were your brothers, and you knew it. How could you fire arrows at them? It takes immense courage to kill your brothers. The brothers you hated all your life because of me. The world would have understood you if you would have betrayed me. But you did not. You never let go of me. You, Suryaputra Karna, you are the greatest warrior of all time.
And today, when I feel your absence, I have nothing to live for. When I look back at my life, I do feel hatred towards the Pandavas. Their memories enrage me but it is your presence that would enlighten my mind. That would engulf me in happiness and serenity. You were the light that guided me in my dark life. Sometimes I feel I should have agreed with you. Instances when I insulted you for not supporting me in my decisions but I realize you weren’t wrong. Sometimes I should have compromised with the Pandavas. I am aware of the sins I performed but I had to fight for what belongs to me. I couldn’t have just given up fighting. I was the rightful heir of the throne. The Pandavas weren’t even the sons of Pandu. They were obtained from the gods. Did they have any right to fight for the throne? Did those cowards have any right to fight? They preach Dharma but they killed you unarmed. I did make some wrong choices but I wouldn’t have if my rights weren’t challenged!”
Hatred engulfed Duryodhan as his mind wavered around the thoughts of the Pandavas. He stood up, pulled his sword from the armor, and pierced his thumb. The blood fell onto Karna’s body as Duryodhan screamed with rage “Revenge. I promise to bring you revenge my friend!”
He walked to Karna’s feet and looked up into the sky as he screamed his curses to the god. ” The greatest warrior has died today. The greatest friend has died today. His destiny challenged him at each step of his life but he fought valiantly the battle of life. I bow at you, Karna. The world, the greatest warriors, the gods bow at you. At your valor. You are known in the world as “Danveer Karna”. You are a hero. A cursed hero. I am blessed to have you as my friend.” he bent low and touched Karna’s feet in respect.
“Meet me on the other side. I am counting my days until I meet you again” he smiled.