790 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 15

Duryodhana picked him up as his companion, and this gradually grew
into greater intimacy. He was also present in the great assembly of
Draupadi’s svayarmvara function, and when he attempted to exhibit his
talent in that meeting, Draupadi’s brother declared that Karna could not
take part in the competition because of his being the son of a sidra
carpenter. Although he was refused in the competition, still when Arjuna
was successful in piercing the fish target on the ceiling and Draupadi
bestowed her garland to Arjuna, Karna and other disappointed princes
offered an unusual stumbling block to Arjuna while he was leaving with
Draupadi. Specifically Karna fought with him very valiantly, but all of
them were defeated by Arjuna. Duryodhana was very much pleased with
Karna because of his constant rivalry with Arjuna, and when he was in
power, he enthroned Karna in the state of Anga. Being baffled in his
attempt to win Draupadi, he advised Duryodhana to attack King Drupada,
for after defeating him both Arjuna and Draupadi could be arrested. But
Dronacarya rebuked them for this conspiracy, and they refrained from the
action. Karna was defeated many times, not only by Arjuna but also by
Bhimasena. He was the King of the kingdom of Bengal, Orissa and Madras
combined. Later on he took an active part in the Rajasitya sacrifice of
Maharaja Yudhisthira, and when there was gambling between the rival
brothers, designed by Sakuni, Karna took part in the game, and he was
very pleased when Draupadi was offered as a bet in the gambling. This fed
his old grudge. When Draupadi was in the game he was very enthusiastic
to declare the news, and it is he who ordered DuhSasana to take away the
garments of both the Pandavas and Draupadi. He asked Draupadi to select
another husband because, being lost by the Pandavas, she was rendered a
slave of the Kurus. He was always an enemy of the Pandavas, and whenever
there was an opportunity, he tried to curb them by all means. During the
Battle of Kuruksetra, he foresaw the conclusive result, and he expressed
his opinion that due to Lord Krsna’s being the chariot driver of Arjuna,
the battle should be won by him. He always differed with Bhisma, and
sometimes he was proud enough to say that within five days he could
finish up the Pandavas, if Bhisma would not interfere with his plan of
action. But he was much mortified when Bhisma died. He killed Ghatotkach
with the Sakti weapon obtained from Indradeva. His son, Brisasena, was
killed by Arjuna. He killed the largest number of Pandava soldiers. At last
there was a severe fight with Arjuna, and it is he only who was able to
knock off the helmet of Arjuna. But it so happened that the wheel of his
chariot got stuck in the battlefield mud, and when he got down to set
the wheel right Arjuna took the opportunity and killed him, although he

requested Arjuna not to do so.
