What You Sow, What You Reap
People always complain - "Why does God give us suffering?"
First of all one must be sure that God does not make us suffer. It is only we who make ourselves suffer with our own Karm (actions). Our Karm are like seeds, whatever seed we will sow, the same kind of fruit we will reap. As a mango seed cannot give gooseberry fruit, in the same way a good Karm cannot reap a bad fruit - it may be that it might take some more time to reap that fruit, but the fruit cannot change.
And as when the seed is sown and it has to grow and give fruit, sooner or later, in the same way all Karm, and in Kali Yug even good and bad thoughts, have to give their fruits on their time, so no escape from any Karm or thought you have done or thought about. That is why in Hindu religion it is stressed that one must always think, say, and do (Manasaa, Vaachaa and Karmanaa) good for everybody, so that you are safe to enjoy life and not to suffer.
Sometimes in our life we face suffering whether physically, mentally or spiritually. It is a common fact that nobody wants to suffer, so if we could program his or her life from the moment of conception, there would be no suffering in our life. But just think, can it be like this? Even the best and greatest people sometimes act badly or wrongly, that is why they have to come again to this world to enjoy or suffer for those Karm.
Value of Suffering?
According to the law of Karm one has to reap what had been sown in the form of Karm. So the value of suffering is that it reminds us that "we have committed some bad Karm, and we should not do such Karm in future. Some people learn lessons from their suffering, while others not; because they still continue to do bad Karm. As some people learn from falling, while some people not. Suffering is an effect of a cause (bad Karm) which warns people not to do it again if they do not want to suffer. For the same reason everybody suffers for the same act differently, because everybody has his own contribution of his heart, thoughts and Karm, and so are their fruits.
Why Can Sages Take Others' Suffering
As written above about the virtues or sins, they have to be reaped, whether the doer reaps or somebody else reaps. Puraan gives several stories about this transfer of Karm (both types), but both should be bold enough to to receive somebody's sins and to give the fruits of his virtues. Thus it is not that the sins or virtues cannot be transferred but most people do not like to take others virtues in exchange of their sins, nor most people want to give the fruits of their virtues to others in exchange of others' sins. It is only saints who can do this, and who do this they are known as saints. That is in their nature that they take others' sorrows and distribute them happiness.
BUT as somebody has to suffer for those sins, the saints suffer for those others' sins. Most people do not know this theory that is why they go those saints and request them to alleviate their sorrows through their earned virtues. Ordinary people do not understand that by doing that they are taking their virtues and then to distribute more virtues to others, they have to earn more, and that is why they are all the time busy in Jaap, worship, Yagya etc.
All people are suffering from some kind of sin since long time, you can set all of them free in one stroke by taking their sins and giving your earned virtue (if you have earned any). Are you willing to deposit your own virtue into their life account and take their sins in exchange? Can you dare?
These saints have to suffer a lot for those blessings they have showered on people, because they have to clear the account of their lives before they leave this world according to "Sow and Reap" principle. They cannot leave this world without paying off their all loans. They have to reap the fruits of those sins which they have taken from others in exchange of their virtues. If the person's sin is light, they will suffer less, but if his sin is very grave, they have to suffer gravely.
Some Examples
(1) Once a person came to Sat Saaee Baabaa and asked him to cure his son from an incurable disease. He said - "Do you want him to come in this world again to suffer from the same sin?" He did not understand what Baabaa said, then he explained him - "Everybody has to enjoy and suffer for his Karm. There is no escape. If he has not consumed the fruit of his Karm in this life, he has to come here again to consume them, so it is better if you let him consume their fruit in this life." He understood and went away.
(2) In Mahaabhaarat TV Serial, when Draupadee says to Yudhishthir that she had committed a mistake while all people gathered for his Raajsooya Yagya, that she laughed at Duryodhan when he fell in the water in Maya Sabhaa. At that time there is a dialog of Yudhishthir, which I like very much so I quote it here, Yudhishthir said - "This is not a good sign. We will have to pay heavily for this sin. It will be better for us if we consume its fruits in this life only." And after that Vidur Jee came to invite them for dice game. They lost both games and they had to go to exile for 13 years.
(3) I have read this on Internet, I do not know its genuineness because I have not read this anywhere else, in the same Mahaabhaarat, Abhimanyu is said to be the grandson of Moon god' - Moon god's son of Varchas' son, but his soul was of Kaalayavan Daitya, [how this became possible that being the grandson of Mooon god he was the incarnation of Kaalayavan Daitya, I don't know]. Since Krishn knew this, He did not let him learn to come out of Chakra Vyooh. Because if he did not die in this war, he would have become invincible after the war and even Krishn could not have defeated him. Thus because of his Karm he had to die like this.
(4) In the same Mahaabhaarat, after Paandav's Swargaarohan, when Yudhishthir was taken to show Hell by Indra, as he reached there, the people living in hell felt very comfortable; and as soon as he was returning from there, they started crying - "O Son of Dharm, please stand here for some more time. We are feeling much better in your presence." Yudhishthir asked - "Who are you and why are you feeling better in my presence?" Those people said - "I am Karn, I am Bheem." Hearing their names Yudhishthit got stunned that his own people who were so righteous are in Hell. He said to the messenger of Indra who brought him to show Hell - "You go away from here, I am not going anywhere from here, because by my standing here, my brothers are comforted." The messenger went back to Indra and reported this to him. Within a moment Indra came there and all scenes disappeared from there. So this is the effect of people's virtues that even their presence comforts the Hell dwellers.
Thus one has to suffer or enjoy the fruits of his Karm, whether it is a virutous Karm or a sin. That is another matter that we love pleasures and hate sorrows and suffering, so as soon we feel sorrow and suffering, we get disturbed and wish to alleviate them as soon as possible. If we will not suffer our sorrows, somebody else has to suffer them, but who else is going to suffer for others when one does not want to suffer even for himself? It has to be done on exchange basis, then who is going to give his pleasures for one's sins? If one can do that, the other person's sorrows can be alleviated.
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Real Names-2
Once before I wrote something about real namess, that write-up was about old names - means before Kali Yug. Here are some real names of modern people - existed in Kali Yug. Read and enjoy them and extend the horizon of your knowledge --
Mahaaveer
Mahaaveer Jee lived during 6th century BC." What was his real name?" "I don't know." you might hear this reply in response of your question. He was born in Kundal Graam, in Vaishaalee district, in Patanaa. He was the son of a king named Siddhaarth and his wife Trishalaa. While he was still in the womb, he brought much wealth to the entire kingdom that is why he was named as Vardhamaan. It is said that Trishalaa had 14 auspicious dreams before giving birth to him. At the age of 30, he renounced the kingdom, gave up all his worldly possessions including clothes and got busy in meditation.
Gautam Buddh
Gautam Buddha also lived in 6th century BC. He was a son of a king, Shuddhodan, As he was born, the priests predicted that he would leave the world at a very early age. His father wanted his heir for his kingdom, so he planned his upbringing in this way that he should not see any bad thing, or bad scene or sorrow and live always in a happy environment. This will make him, he thought, indulged in the world and then later he will be interested in his kingdom. He married him early also to keep him busy with his family. He got one son also soon - Raahul. But the king forgot that the destiny is more powerful than a man's efforts. One day, Siddhaarth saw a beggar, a corpse, and a leper on the way. He got Vairaagya and left his kingdom, wife and the newborn son and went to forest.
Chaanakya or Kautilya
Chaanakya lived in the 4th century BC. Who knows his real name? Nobody. When he was born he had full set of teeth. Seeing tis the priest predicted that he would become a king. His father Aachaarya Chanak did not want him to be a king so he broke his some teeth and asked the priest - "Now what?" The priest said - "Now he himself will not be a king, but will help somebody in being the king." Chanak had no objection in that. He was named as Vishnu Gupt. Later he made Chandragupt Maurya the King of Magadh and he himself got famous as Chaanakya because of being the son of Aachaarya Chanak.and Kautilya because of his cunning policies.
Tulasee Daas
Tulasee Daas Jee lived in 16th and 17th centuries. When he was born he spoke "Raam", that is why he was named "Raam Bolaa". Today his real name is not at all known to people, he is well known only by the name of Tulasee Daas. He was Raam and Hanumaan Bhakt and his most famous works are Raam Charit Maanas, Vinaya Patrikaa, Hanumaan Chaaleesaa etc
Soor Daas
Soor Daas was also lived in 16th and 17th centuries. It is really an irony that people do not know his real name, nor he himself remembered his own real name. It is because he was blind since birth, so people used to call him Soor Daas and hearing that name he himself also forgot his real name. He was Krishn Bhakt. He wrote many poetic pieces in praise of Krishn - they are collected in Soor Saagar.
Raamkrishn Paramhans
Raamkrishn Paramhans lived during 19th century. He was from Bengal. His real name was Gadaadhar Chattopaadhyaaya. When he was initiated by his Guru he was named Raamkrishn.
Dayanand Saraswati
Dayanand Saraswati was a revolutionary reformer living in 19th century. He was from Gujaraat and was born in a Braahman family. He has done a lot of work for Indian society. His most notably known works are a book "Satyaarth Prakaash" to propound his Aarya Samaaj ideas among Hindu society, translation of Ved from Vaidik Sanskrit to normal Sanskrit and their translation, and to promote equal rights for women, such as, rights for education and reading Hindu scriptures. He has become so popular with his this nmame that nobody knows his real name. His real name was Mool Shankar.
These are some of the people of Kali Yug whose real names are also not very well known to people.
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
Mahaaveer
Mahaaveer Jee lived during 6th century BC." What was his real name?" "I don't know." you might hear this reply in response of your question. He was born in Kundal Graam, in Vaishaalee district, in Patanaa. He was the son of a king named Siddhaarth and his wife Trishalaa. While he was still in the womb, he brought much wealth to the entire kingdom that is why he was named as Vardhamaan. It is said that Trishalaa had 14 auspicious dreams before giving birth to him. At the age of 30, he renounced the kingdom, gave up all his worldly possessions including clothes and got busy in meditation.
Gautam Buddh
Gautam Buddha also lived in 6th century BC. He was a son of a king, Shuddhodan, As he was born, the priests predicted that he would leave the world at a very early age. His father wanted his heir for his kingdom, so he planned his upbringing in this way that he should not see any bad thing, or bad scene or sorrow and live always in a happy environment. This will make him, he thought, indulged in the world and then later he will be interested in his kingdom. He married him early also to keep him busy with his family. He got one son also soon - Raahul. But the king forgot that the destiny is more powerful than a man's efforts. One day, Siddhaarth saw a beggar, a corpse, and a leper on the way. He got Vairaagya and left his kingdom, wife and the newborn son and went to forest.
Chaanakya or Kautilya
Chaanakya lived in the 4th century BC. Who knows his real name? Nobody. When he was born he had full set of teeth. Seeing tis the priest predicted that he would become a king. His father Aachaarya Chanak did not want him to be a king so he broke his some teeth and asked the priest - "Now what?" The priest said - "Now he himself will not be a king, but will help somebody in being the king." Chanak had no objection in that. He was named as Vishnu Gupt. Later he made Chandragupt Maurya the King of Magadh and he himself got famous as Chaanakya because of being the son of Aachaarya Chanak.and Kautilya because of his cunning policies.
Tulasee Daas
Tulasee Daas Jee lived in 16th and 17th centuries. When he was born he spoke "Raam", that is why he was named "Raam Bolaa". Today his real name is not at all known to people, he is well known only by the name of Tulasee Daas. He was Raam and Hanumaan Bhakt and his most famous works are Raam Charit Maanas, Vinaya Patrikaa, Hanumaan Chaaleesaa etc
Soor Daas
Soor Daas was also lived in 16th and 17th centuries. It is really an irony that people do not know his real name, nor he himself remembered his own real name. It is because he was blind since birth, so people used to call him Soor Daas and hearing that name he himself also forgot his real name. He was Krishn Bhakt. He wrote many poetic pieces in praise of Krishn - they are collected in Soor Saagar.
Raamkrishn Paramhans
Raamkrishn Paramhans lived during 19th century. He was from Bengal. His real name was Gadaadhar Chattopaadhyaaya. When he was initiated by his Guru he was named Raamkrishn.
Dayanand Saraswati
Dayanand Saraswati was a revolutionary reformer living in 19th century. He was from Gujaraat and was born in a Braahman family. He has done a lot of work for Indian society. His most notably known works are a book "Satyaarth Prakaash" to propound his Aarya Samaaj ideas among Hindu society, translation of Ved from Vaidik Sanskrit to normal Sanskrit and their translation, and to promote equal rights for women, such as, rights for education and reading Hindu scriptures. He has become so popular with his this nmame that nobody knows his real name. His real name was Mool Shankar.
These are some of the people of Kali Yug whose real names are also not very well known to people.
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Stotra by Poets for Cure
Today I am going to write about those poets who wrote their poetic pieces or Stotra to cure themselves for their incurable diseases. It is not only Bhakt or gods' devotees who pray God to cure themselves, even poets also can do it. The following poets wrote Stotra to cure either themselves or some other person.
Mayoor
Mayoor was a Royal poet in the court of Shreeharsh during 6th and 7th century AD. he was the contemporary of Baan Bhatt and Kaalidaas poets. Once Mayoor suffered from leprosy because of his sister's curse, so he went to a Sun temple and wrote "Soorya Shatak" to please Soorya Dev to cure his leprosy disease. It is said that when he recited the 6th verse Soorya Dev appeared before him. Mayoor bowed to him and asked him to deliver him from this incurable disease. Soorya Dev said - "Although I also suffer on my feet because of my sin, but still I will cure your leprosy. I will give you my one ray to cure it." and he went away. His one ray enveloped his body and he became all right. When he went to the court next day, everybody was very surprised to see him cured of such a terrible disease so soon.
Baan Bhatt
Baan Bhatt was Mayoor's brother-in-law (sister's husband) and was a renowned poet in the same court as Mayoor's - Shreeharsh's court. Baan himself was very surprised to see this. Being jealous with him, and to show his powers to all he cut off his hands and feet and then pleased Devee Chandikaa to cure his limbs. He wrote "Devee Shatak" and recited it to please her. It is said the as he pronounced the 6th syllable of his 1st verse of Devee Shatak, Devee Chandikaa appeared before him and restored his four limbs.
Maanatungaa Sooree - a Jain Monk
In those days, people were against Jainism, so they asked one Jain monk Maanatungaa, if they have any such miracle in their religion. If they have, they should show it otherwise leave the city. Maanatungaa said - "Our gods are not here, but the demigods can do similar works, so i show you that. he tied himself in 42 chains and shut himself up in a closed room. he then composed "Bhaktaamar Stotra" and freed himself from there. he converted Raajaa Bhoj by showing this miracle.
Dandee Poet
Dandee poet was a Sanskrit author of prose romances who lived in Kaancheepuram in Tamil Naadu, during 6th and 7th centuries. Once Dandee Poet suffered from leprosy which could not be cured by several medicines. As a last resort he worshiped Bhagavaan Saamb Shiv by Anaamaya Stotra and got relieved from the dreadful disease. Bhagavaan Saamb Shiv is called the first Vaidya (traditional doctor) for the Universe in Ved. As such that Stotra has the same effect in curing several diseases, acute or chronic. Its name "Anaamaya" itself means :"no disease".
Melpaathur Naaaraayan Bhattaathiri
Melpaathur Naaraayan Bhattaathiri. was a Malayaalee poet from Kerala. He lived during 1560-1632 AD. Bhattaathiri was a great poet. Once his father-in-law suffered from severe rheumatism. he prayed the God and transferred his sickness to himself. Later he consulted a great translator of Raamaayan and suggested him to write about all the incarnations of Vishnu, so he studied Bhaagvat Puraan and wrote its 10th Skandh as Naaraayaneeyam, in 100 chapters, 10 Shlok in each chapter. His younger brother wrote them down.
His first 2 chapters do not show anything, but its 3rd chapter certainly shows a prayer to his father-in-law's sickness and suffering because in this chapter he prays to cure his sickness. From then every last verse of every chapter contained a plea to God to cure him. People believe that at the end of the last verse of his book, he had the Darshan of Lord Guruvayurappaa and he got cured from his disease. Since then millions of devotees have been cured of rheumatism by reciting this Naaraayaneeyam. It is available in several languages. It can be read in any language to get its benefit.
Tulasee Daas
Tulasee Daas Jee was a great Bhakt of Raam and Hanumaan. He lived during the 16th and 17th century. Once Tulasee Daas Jee had a lots of pain in his arm. It was not getting cured by any medicine, so he wrote Hanumat Badavaanal Stotra to please Hanumaan Jee challenging him to cure his pain in his arm. It is believed that Hanumaan Jee cured his arm pain.
See also God's Grace in Kali Yug for Bhakt who had Darshan of God
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
Mayoor
Mayoor was a Royal poet in the court of Shreeharsh during 6th and 7th century AD. he was the contemporary of Baan Bhatt and Kaalidaas poets. Once Mayoor suffered from leprosy because of his sister's curse, so he went to a Sun temple and wrote "Soorya Shatak" to please Soorya Dev to cure his leprosy disease. It is said that when he recited the 6th verse Soorya Dev appeared before him. Mayoor bowed to him and asked him to deliver him from this incurable disease. Soorya Dev said - "Although I also suffer on my feet because of my sin, but still I will cure your leprosy. I will give you my one ray to cure it." and he went away. His one ray enveloped his body and he became all right. When he went to the court next day, everybody was very surprised to see him cured of such a terrible disease so soon.
Baan Bhatt
Baan Bhatt was Mayoor's brother-in-law (sister's husband) and was a renowned poet in the same court as Mayoor's - Shreeharsh's court. Baan himself was very surprised to see this. Being jealous with him, and to show his powers to all he cut off his hands and feet and then pleased Devee Chandikaa to cure his limbs. He wrote "Devee Shatak" and recited it to please her. It is said the as he pronounced the 6th syllable of his 1st verse of Devee Shatak, Devee Chandikaa appeared before him and restored his four limbs.
Maanatungaa Sooree - a Jain Monk
In those days, people were against Jainism, so they asked one Jain monk Maanatungaa, if they have any such miracle in their religion. If they have, they should show it otherwise leave the city. Maanatungaa said - "Our gods are not here, but the demigods can do similar works, so i show you that. he tied himself in 42 chains and shut himself up in a closed room. he then composed "Bhaktaamar Stotra" and freed himself from there. he converted Raajaa Bhoj by showing this miracle.
Dandee Poet
Dandee poet was a Sanskrit author of prose romances who lived in Kaancheepuram in Tamil Naadu, during 6th and 7th centuries. Once Dandee Poet suffered from leprosy which could not be cured by several medicines. As a last resort he worshiped Bhagavaan Saamb Shiv by Anaamaya Stotra and got relieved from the dreadful disease. Bhagavaan Saamb Shiv is called the first Vaidya (traditional doctor) for the Universe in Ved. As such that Stotra has the same effect in curing several diseases, acute or chronic. Its name "Anaamaya" itself means :"no disease".
Melpaathur Naaaraayan Bhattaathiri
Melpaathur Naaraayan Bhattaathiri. was a Malayaalee poet from Kerala. He lived during 1560-1632 AD. Bhattaathiri was a great poet. Once his father-in-law suffered from severe rheumatism. he prayed the God and transferred his sickness to himself. Later he consulted a great translator of Raamaayan and suggested him to write about all the incarnations of Vishnu, so he studied Bhaagvat Puraan and wrote its 10th Skandh as Naaraayaneeyam, in 100 chapters, 10 Shlok in each chapter. His younger brother wrote them down.
His first 2 chapters do not show anything, but its 3rd chapter certainly shows a prayer to his father-in-law's sickness and suffering because in this chapter he prays to cure his sickness. From then every last verse of every chapter contained a plea to God to cure him. People believe that at the end of the last verse of his book, he had the Darshan of Lord Guruvayurappaa and he got cured from his disease. Since then millions of devotees have been cured of rheumatism by reciting this Naaraayaneeyam. It is available in several languages. It can be read in any language to get its benefit.
Tulasee Daas
Tulasee Daas Jee was a great Bhakt of Raam and Hanumaan. He lived during the 16th and 17th century. Once Tulasee Daas Jee had a lots of pain in his arm. It was not getting cured by any medicine, so he wrote Hanumat Badavaanal Stotra to please Hanumaan Jee challenging him to cure his pain in his arm. It is believed that Hanumaan Jee cured his arm pain.
See also God's Grace in Kali Yug for Bhakt who had Darshan of God
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Interesting to Know
Some incidents are indeed interesting to know. Most of the time they are not interesting in themselves, rather they just happen like other ordinary incidents, but they can be made interesting by correlating them. Since the correlation is necessary, It is not necessary that every person notices them with that perspective, but certainly somebody's perspective or correlation makes them interesting.
Here is a series of such incidents which happened as big events. They are indeed big events too, no doubt, still they are not very interesting in themselves. But if one correlates them, they create an interesting sequence --
Raam killed Raavan
In Tretaa Yug, Raam killed Raavan. Their story is given in Hindu's religious history books Vaalmeeki Raamaayan and Tulasee's Raam Charit Maanas and many other books.
Krishn Killed Kans
The second incident is that Krishn killed Kans - His maternal uncle (Maamaa). Their story is given in Bhaagvat Puraan 10th Skandh.
Judas Killed Jesus
The third incident is that Judas betrayed Jesus and thus got him killed in a way. Their story comes in Bible, the main religious book of Christians.
Godse Killed Gandhi
Let us proceed further because the list is not yet complete. Godse killed MK Gandhi, the Indian National Leader, or who is now more popularly known as the Father of the Nation.
Obama Killed Osama
And lastly, Obama killed Osama Bin Laden. This incident is very recent, so no problem in tracing that.
What do you see in common in all these incidents? Couldn't make out? That is ridiculous. That the killer's name and the victim's name starts from the same letter. Did God made the plan like this that the starting letters of the names of all great killers and the names of the great killed persons will start with the same letter?
What Next?
Now who is the great person killing the next great person?
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
Here is a series of such incidents which happened as big events. They are indeed big events too, no doubt, still they are not very interesting in themselves. But if one correlates them, they create an interesting sequence --
Raam killed Raavan
In Tretaa Yug, Raam killed Raavan. Their story is given in Hindu's religious history books Vaalmeeki Raamaayan and Tulasee's Raam Charit Maanas and many other books.
Krishn Killed Kans
The second incident is that Krishn killed Kans - His maternal uncle (Maamaa). Their story is given in Bhaagvat Puraan 10th Skandh.
Judas Killed Jesus
The third incident is that Judas betrayed Jesus and thus got him killed in a way. Their story comes in Bible, the main religious book of Christians.
Godse Killed Gandhi
Let us proceed further because the list is not yet complete. Godse killed MK Gandhi, the Indian National Leader, or who is now more popularly known as the Father of the Nation.
Obama Killed Osama
And lastly, Obama killed Osama Bin Laden. This incident is very recent, so no problem in tracing that.
What do you see in common in all these incidents? Couldn't make out? That is ridiculous. That the killer's name and the victim's name starts from the same letter. Did God made the plan like this that the starting letters of the names of all great killers and the names of the great killed persons will start with the same letter?
What Next?
Now who is the great person killing the next great person?
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Was Karn a Better Archer Than Arjun
In the whole Mahaabhaarat, Karn has been boasting all the time for himself that he was a better archer than Arjun. In the whole Mahaabhaarat he always keeps instigating Duryodhan to break the war with Paandav, because he is not happy with Shakuni's cheating tactics - Baaranaavat incident, dice games etc. He says - "We are Kshatriya and we should behave like a Kshatriya." And since there was no war for long time he always looked for an opportunity to fight with Arjun, because he thought that he could defeat Arjun.
He had developed enmity with Paandav since his childhood when Drone refused to educate him in his Gurukul and more specifically with Arjun when he heard that to declare Arjun the best archer, Drone asked Eklavya's right thumb in Guru Dakshinaa. Drone proved this when he demonstrated the skills of Kaurav and Paandav to Dhritraashtra in Rangshaalaa. At that time Karn also wanted to demonstrate his skills but Soorya Dev set and he could not show his skills. (Perhaps Soorya Dev did not want his son to be insulted by Indra's son.)
Although he always had a desire to show his warrior skills against Arjun, because he always considered himself a better archer than him. Later in his life time he got 4 occasions to face and defeat Arjun, but the story of his life says something else. Let us see what does it tell - that Karn was not a greater archer than Arjun?
Karn's First Defeat from Arjun - Draupadee's Swayamvar
Karn's first defeat from Arjun was in Draupadee's Swayamvar. When Karn rose to pierce the eye of the fish, and Draupadee insulted him saying that she would not select a Soot Putra as her husband, he just threw the bow and sat down. Later when Arjun got married to Draupadee, many kings came to fight with Arjun. Karn also got opportunity to fight with him, so he also ran to fight with him although he did not know him at that time that he was Arjunm because he was in a Braahman's disguise. But he got fainted while fighting. Later he admired the Braahman for his skill in weapons and went away. When Duryodhan asked him - "When you had got the opportunity to fight with Arjun why didn't you defeat him?" Karn replied - "I was not ready for this fight."
Karn's Second Defeat from Arjun - Ghosh Yaatraa
Karn's second defeat from Arjun was when Duryodhan went for Ghosh Yaatraa to tease Paandav and camped near Paandav's camp. When Dev Raaj Indra heard this, he sent Gandharv Raaj Chitrarath, to help Paandav. Chitrarath went there and created a scene in which he caught Duryodhan and was about to punish him, that Arjun and Bheem came there and got Duryodhan released from him. When Arjun and Bheem came there, Karn was nowhere to be seen. Duryodhan got very disappointed seeing this that in spite of Karn being with him his enemies came to release him from Gandharv Raaj.
Karn's Third Defeat from Arjun - Viraat War
His third defeat from Arjun was at Viraat War. When Bheem had killed Keechak on account of Draupadee, the news reached Hastinaapur. Duryodhan found this a good opportunity to recognize Paandav living incognito and send them again in exile, so he managed Susharmaa to take Viraat's cows away from his city. This prompted Viraat to recover his cows from Susharmaa, so he went with Yudhishthir, Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev. Soon Duryodhan attacked Viraat. As all had gone to recover cows from Susharmaa, only Viraat's yonger son Uttar was present in the palace. So he had to go to fight with Kaurav army. Somehow Arjun went with him. Although Uttar got scared to see Kaurav army, but Arjun took him there and he himself fought with them. At that time also, Arjun fought with Karn twice but both times Karn had to retreat.
In Viraat war also---
--Karn insists Duryodhan for war and claims to be superior over Arjun. ---> Section XLVIII
--Kripaa criticizes Karn for his decision to fight alone with Arjun;
also narrates the achievements and superiority of Arjun over Karn and other warriors. ---> Section XLIX
--Ashwatthaamaa also criticizes Karn for his self-boasting and narrates superiority of Arjun over other warriors. ---> Sectiion L
--Discussion among Bheeshm, Drone and Duryodhan over war. Bheeshm backs Karn saying Karn used such words to raise our drooping courage; but also saying that what Ashwattthaamaa and Kripaa said was right. ---> Section LI
--Karn ran away from battle field defeated by Arjun. ---> Section LIV
Karn in Kuru Kshetra War
In Kuru Kshetra war, one can easily say that Karn had several curses and because of them he had to die at that time and could never win Arjun, but looking at the previous incidents, it becomes clear that even if he had no curse, he could not have won Arjun. Not only Arjun, even when he faced Bheem in Kuru Kshetra war, he could not win him. Bheem gained upper hand approximately 25 times over Karn; and Karn only 2-3 times. This is another matter that by then he had known that Paandav were his brothers and he promised Kuntee not to kill Yudhishthir, Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev, so he did not fight with them in his full capacity.
Everywhere Karn had boasted himself as the better archer and warrior, but could never show his ability to fight with Arjun. He always got defeated by him. WHY?
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
He had developed enmity with Paandav since his childhood when Drone refused to educate him in his Gurukul and more specifically with Arjun when he heard that to declare Arjun the best archer, Drone asked Eklavya's right thumb in Guru Dakshinaa. Drone proved this when he demonstrated the skills of Kaurav and Paandav to Dhritraashtra in Rangshaalaa. At that time Karn also wanted to demonstrate his skills but Soorya Dev set and he could not show his skills. (Perhaps Soorya Dev did not want his son to be insulted by Indra's son.)
Although he always had a desire to show his warrior skills against Arjun, because he always considered himself a better archer than him. Later in his life time he got 4 occasions to face and defeat Arjun, but the story of his life says something else. Let us see what does it tell - that Karn was not a greater archer than Arjun?
Karn's First Defeat from Arjun - Draupadee's Swayamvar
Karn's first defeat from Arjun was in Draupadee's Swayamvar. When Karn rose to pierce the eye of the fish, and Draupadee insulted him saying that she would not select a Soot Putra as her husband, he just threw the bow and sat down. Later when Arjun got married to Draupadee, many kings came to fight with Arjun. Karn also got opportunity to fight with him, so he also ran to fight with him although he did not know him at that time that he was Arjunm because he was in a Braahman's disguise. But he got fainted while fighting. Later he admired the Braahman for his skill in weapons and went away. When Duryodhan asked him - "When you had got the opportunity to fight with Arjun why didn't you defeat him?" Karn replied - "I was not ready for this fight."
Karn's Second Defeat from Arjun - Ghosh Yaatraa
Karn's second defeat from Arjun was when Duryodhan went for Ghosh Yaatraa to tease Paandav and camped near Paandav's camp. When Dev Raaj Indra heard this, he sent Gandharv Raaj Chitrarath, to help Paandav. Chitrarath went there and created a scene in which he caught Duryodhan and was about to punish him, that Arjun and Bheem came there and got Duryodhan released from him. When Arjun and Bheem came there, Karn was nowhere to be seen. Duryodhan got very disappointed seeing this that in spite of Karn being with him his enemies came to release him from Gandharv Raaj.
Karn's Third Defeat from Arjun - Viraat War
His third defeat from Arjun was at Viraat War. When Bheem had killed Keechak on account of Draupadee, the news reached Hastinaapur. Duryodhan found this a good opportunity to recognize Paandav living incognito and send them again in exile, so he managed Susharmaa to take Viraat's cows away from his city. This prompted Viraat to recover his cows from Susharmaa, so he went with Yudhishthir, Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev. Soon Duryodhan attacked Viraat. As all had gone to recover cows from Susharmaa, only Viraat's yonger son Uttar was present in the palace. So he had to go to fight with Kaurav army. Somehow Arjun went with him. Although Uttar got scared to see Kaurav army, but Arjun took him there and he himself fought with them. At that time also, Arjun fought with Karn twice but both times Karn had to retreat.
In Viraat war also---
--Karn insists Duryodhan for war and claims to be superior over Arjun. ---> Section XLVIII
--Kripaa criticizes Karn for his decision to fight alone with Arjun;
also narrates the achievements and superiority of Arjun over Karn and other warriors. ---> Section XLIX
--Ashwatthaamaa also criticizes Karn for his self-boasting and narrates superiority of Arjun over other warriors. ---> Sectiion L
--Discussion among Bheeshm, Drone and Duryodhan over war. Bheeshm backs Karn saying Karn used such words to raise our drooping courage; but also saying that what Ashwattthaamaa and Kripaa said was right. ---> Section LI
--Karn ran away from battle field defeated by Arjun. ---> Section LIV
Karn in Kuru Kshetra War
In Kuru Kshetra war, one can easily say that Karn had several curses and because of them he had to die at that time and could never win Arjun, but looking at the previous incidents, it becomes clear that even if he had no curse, he could not have won Arjun. Not only Arjun, even when he faced Bheem in Kuru Kshetra war, he could not win him. Bheem gained upper hand approximately 25 times over Karn; and Karn only 2-3 times. This is another matter that by then he had known that Paandav were his brothers and he promised Kuntee not to kill Yudhishthir, Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev, so he did not fight with them in his full capacity.
Everywhere Karn had boasted himself as the better archer and warrior, but could never show his ability to fight with Arjun. He always got defeated by him. WHY?
Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com
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