Video - The Rise of Karna: A Warrior's Tale

Karna is a central character in the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic. He is the son of Kunti, born with divine blessings from the sun god Surya, making him a demi-god. Despite his royal lineage, Karna was abandoned at birth and found by a charioteer, Adhiratha, and his wife Radha, who raised him as their own. Karna grew up with an intense desire to prove his worth and overcome the stigma of his low birth. He became an exceptional warrior, mastering the skills of archery and combat under the tutelage of Parashurama, although this was achieved by deceit, as Parashurama only taught Brahmins. Despite being one of the greatest warriors of his time, Karna faced constant humiliation and rejection due to his perceived lower social status. He found a loyal friend in Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava, who recognized his talents and made him the king of Anga to elevate his status. This deepened Karna's loyalty to Duryodhana, binding him to the Kaurava cause.