Karna

Summary

Karna, also known as Vasusena, Anga-Raja, Sutaputra and Radheya, is one of the major characters in the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. He is the spiritual son of Surya and princess Kunti. His birth occurred after Kunti invoked a divine boon to test its power in her youth; fearing societal stigma over her premarital motherhood, she is forced to abandon the infant in a basket on the Ganges. He is discovered and fostered by Radha and Adhiratha Nandana, the sūta (charioteer) of King Dhritarashtra. Karna grows up to be an accomplished warrior of extraordinary abilities, and a gifted speaker. He becomes a loyal friend of Duryodhana, and is appointed the king of Anga (Bihar-Bengal) by the prince. Karna joins the Kaurava side of the Kurukshetra War, and is ultimately slain by Arjuna.