Why did Arjuna use Anjalika Astra to kill Karna when he was unarmed? Why didn’t he use normal arrow to kill karna?

Anjalika Astra was used not to kill Karna but to make sure that he was dead. He would have died only when hit by the previous one or maybe had a little life still, so it should definitely be taken away. To Make sure that Anjalika Astra was used.

Who was the unarmed Karna? let’s Check.

When the chariot got stuck.

Karna said, “O Kaunteya you are brave, wait a while, while Dhananjaya let me remove the wheel. You are seated on the chariot. You must not kill me when I am on the ground. Pandave you and Vasudeva are not afraid of me.” You are Kshatriya and extender of great lineage. Remember the instructions of Dharma and Vat for a while”.

Vasudeva from the chariot said, “O Radhe it is a matter of good fortune that you remember Dharma. Often when they are immersed in difficulties, the following people condemn destiny, but not their bad deeds. Karna when you Duryi, Dusha and Shakuni brought Draupadi in the same clothes to the meeting hall, then did Dharma not reveal itself to you? ? Karna dragged Krishna Draupadi into the hall during his season, you laughed at him. Where did dharma go then? Restoring the kings of Gandhara and lusting for kingdom You challenged the Pandavas then where did dharma go?

After that Arjuna started to lose his senses completely in anger when he also started remembering this and all the previous wrongdoings Karna did (the anger was the same as he did during Abhimanyu’s death) but still Arjuna did not attack.

Seeing this, Karna again invoked Brahmastra against Dhananjaya. He rained arrows on Arjuna to destroy his chariot, which Arjuna resisted. Then Kaunteya fired the Agnidev weapon, which Karna fought with Varun Deva weapons. Radheya covered all the directions of the cloud with arrows. Instead of being afraid, Arjuna became more enraged and chased him away with an aerial weapon. Then Kiriti (Arjuna) used gold flakes and sharp pointed arrows and with it he brought down the son of Adhiratha. Now to ensure the death of Karna, (because the feeling of anger and enmity had still not subsided) the Pandavas took out the Anjalika arrow (which was able to penetrate the internal organs like a thunderbolt of Indra and extremely like fire and sun). It was expensive. The men’s horse could destroy the elephant. It was three cubits long with six tufts.

He removed him and cut off Karna’s head from his body.

So Anjalika Astra was used not to kill Karna but to make sure that he was dead (he would have died only when hit by the previous one or maybe had a little life still, so it should definitely be taken away). Make sure that Anjalika Astra was used)

Now the one who attacked the land with the Brahmastra, the Varuna weapon, rained arrows to destroy Arjuna’s chariot, covering all the directions of the clouds with arrows. That knight was not unarmed, but armed and fighting and died in that.

Now why didn’t he use the normal arrow to kill Karna, so the arrow he used to shoot or kill is not mentioned as a divine weapon, but an arrow that is razor sharp, Which is pointed with a golden tuft, so it could just be a normal arrowhead. An updated version more information Ask Arjuna if he can tell what exact arrow he used to kill Karna.

Now we will get more clarification Why did Arjuna use Anjalika Astra to kill Karna when he was unarmed? Why didn’t he use normal arrow to kill karna?

Battle in More Detail:

The final battle between the two is the most talked about battle among the readers of the epic. For analysis, I am taking the BORI critical edition as a reference.

Let’s delve directly into the text and analyze the round-the-clock fight.

Statement :
Karna struck Parth with ten big arrows. Very angry, Arjuna stabbed him in the back with ten sharp and fierce arrows. Arjuna, the son of a yarn, hit and injured each other with extremely sharp arrows. So to crush each other, they looked for weakness in the adversary. Delightfully, but fiercely, they struck each other in the great struggle. In the great struggle, the great soul Bhimsen became angry and intolerant. He squeezed his hands and stroked his lips with his teeth. Dancing like a musician, he asked, ‘O Kirti! How was it that the son of a yarn was able to pierce you with the first ten big arrows? Do you remember the power with which you defeated all beings and satisfied the fire in Khandava? Use that power and kill the son of a yarn. Otherwise I’ll take him down with a stick. Seeing Parth’s arrows being chased, Vasudev spoke to him. ‘O fame! How is it happening that today your weapons are being countered by Karna’s weapons in every way? O hero! Why do you look like a confused person? Kauravas are roaring with joy. They are all respecting Karna, knowing that all your weapons have been destroyed by him. In era after era, you have used your power to destroy the weapons of dark and terrifying monsters. You killed Dambhodbhava and other Asuras in encounters. 778 Use that patience and kill the son of a yarn. Or now use this Sudarshan Chakra and cut off its head. It is sharp at the edges and even immortals cannot face it. This has been used by me before, like Shakra used the thunderbolt to strike Namuchi. Great as a hunter, was pleased with your greatness and might. 779 Again take the support of that fort and kill the son of a Sut along with his relatives. Give this earth, up to the extent of the sea, rich with its cities and villages, to the king. 780 Oh Partha! Get unlimited fame, by killing a huge number of enemies.’ On such a request from both Bhima and Janardana, he looked at himself and remembered his soul.

Analysis :
The fight begins with plain archery. It can be inferred from the words of Bhima and Krishna that during this period Karna had dominated his opponent. Krishna also offered his chakra to Arjuna. Also, the Kauravas were roaring as Karna destroyed all the weapons of Arjuna.

Statement:
The great soul learned the reason for his birth and spoke to Keshav. ‘I will issue a great and fierce weapon for the welfare of the world and for the death of the son of a yarn. I have your permission for the deities, Brahma, Bhava and all those who are knowledgeable about Brahman.’ Saying this, he invoked the invincible Brahmastra in his mind, according to the prescribed rites. All the directions and sub-directions were covered with extremely energetic arrows. O bull in the Bharata dynasty! Hundreds of sharp arrows were fired from it. In the meantime Vakartan also made thousands of arrows. It descended upon the Pandavas with a loud roar, like rain pouring down from a cloud. He did a supernatural act and pierced Bhimsen, Janardana and Kirti with three arrows each. Terrible in his strength, he again made a loud and fierce roar. Kiriti saw that Bhima and Janardana were also killed by Karna’s arrows. He became intolerable and again shot eighteen arrows. He pierced Sushena with one arrow, Shalya with four and Karna with three arrows. Then he fired ten excellent arrows and killed the chairman, 781, who was in gold armor. The head and hand of that prince were cut off. He was without his charioteer, bow and standard. He was crushed and fell down from the chariot, like a school tree had been cut down with an axe. He again pierced Karna with three, eight, two and fourteen arrows. He killed four hundred armed elephants, eight hundred chariots, a thousand horses and riders and eight thousand warriors. Karna and Parth fought. He was the best among the warriors and the one who killed the enemies. The spectators, who had gathered in the heavens and on the earth, controlled their mounts and saw what was happening in the battle.

Analysis :
Arjuna invoked the Brahmastra which was opposed by Karna. Then he pierced Bhima and Krishna. Seeing this, Arjuna killed the chairman and several Kuru soldiers. So this round goes to Arjuna.

Statement :
The string of the bow of the Pandavas was being pulled very loudly and was being stretched vigorously. At the same time, the son of a Suta struck Parth with a hundred petty arrows. He pierced Vasudeva with sixty pointed iron arrows which were washed in oil and tickled with the feathers of birds. They were like snakes that took off their skin. At this Somak fled. Parth got very angry. His body was mutilated by Karna’s arrows. He raised his bow and sharply countered the arrows of Adhiratha’s son. He returned Somakas. Due to this release of weapons the sky was dark and the birds were unable to fly. Parth pierced Shalya’s body armor with ten arrows and laughed. He pierced Karna with twelve well-intentioned arrows and pierced him again with seven other arrows. He was badly killed by Parth’s powerful arrows. Those arrows were fierce in their power. His body was mutilated and his arms and legs were injured. At the time of destruction, Karna looked as beautiful as Rudra.

Analysis :
Here, Karna injured both Krishna and Arjuna and because of this Somka retreated from the side of the Pandavas. Then Arjuna also injured Shalya and Karna and returned Somka. Here Karna dominated in the beginning but Arjun made a comeback. So the score remains unchanged.

Story :
Dhananjaya was like the lord of the gods. However, Adhiratha’s son struck him with three arrows. Desiring to kill Achyuta, he next fired five arrows which were like burning serpents. They were decorated with gold and were well aimed. He pierced Purushottam’s armor with great force and, passing from there, entered the earth. After bathing there he returned to Karna. Quickly, well aimed and with wide headed arrows, Dhananjaya cuts each of them into three pieces and they fall to the ground. He was a mighty serpent who was on the side of Takshak’s son. 782 Like a fire with diamonds and beads, which burns up dead wood. He drew his bow back to his ears and fired several burning arrows which were able to end the body. They made 783 holes in his internal organs and staggered him. However, he was extremely patient and used that patience to face grief. O king! Dhananjaya enraged Karna’s chariot covered all the directions and sub-directions with the edge of his arrows. They covered the brilliance of the sun. It seemed that the sky had also disappeared, as if it were covered with snow. On the instructions of Duryodhana, the chariot’s wheels, legs, were supposed to guard the front and back. 784 These were excellent chariots and the best. In the battle, Savyasachi killed them all. He killed two thousand prominent Kauravas of the Kuru dynasty, oxen. O king! In an instant, Bahadur single-handedly destroyed them all with his chariots, horses and chariots. They fled leaving Karna. And so did your sons and the Kauravas who were left. He forsaken those who were killed and wounded by arrows, including mourning sons and fathers. All directions were void and devoid of Kauravas, as they were tormented by fear. O descendants of the Bharata dynasty! But seeing this, Karna did not feel any pain. He happily attacked Arjuna. Sanjay said, “They ran away as the arrows landed. The Kaurava soldiers were driven away. However, he waited a short distance and gazed at Dhananjaya’s arms, which were descending like lightning in all directions.

Analysis :
Karna first attacked Krishna. Karna’s arrows entered his armor. Then Arjuna pierced Karna. But Karna endured it. Arjuna then killed many Kauravas to which they retreated. However, Karna was not distressed and confronted Arjuna. This period belonged to Arjuna.

Story +:
In that great battle, an enraged Parth quickly unleashes a weapon to kill Karna. However, when Arjuna’s weapon was still traveling and roaring in the air, Bahadur destroyed him with a great weapon which he had obtained from Atharvan Rama 785 and which was capable of destroying the enemies. Destroying Arjuna’s weapon, he struck Parth with innumerable sharp arrows. O king! The conflict between Arjuna and Adhiratha’s son assumed a great and terrible form. They hit each other with arrows, like two fierce elephants hitting each other with their teeth. Karna fired an extremely sharp and flaming arrow which was capable of hitting the enemy. It had a snake in its mouth. 786 That terrible arrow was well preserved and well washed for the destruction of Partha. It was worshiped and placed on a bed of sandalwood paste. That very poisonous weapon was lying in a gold quiver. This Airavat originated from the lineage of 787 and ignited. Wanting to kill Falgun in battle, he aimed at his head. Seeing that Vaikartan had affixed that arrow, the great soul king of Madra said, ‘O Karna! This arrow will not reach his neck. Shoot another arrow that can cut his head.’ With red eyes in anger, Karna stuck the arrow and said to Shalya, ‘O Shalya! Karna will not shoot another arrow. No one cheats like me. Saying this he released the arrow which he had worshiped for many years. He said, ‘O Falgun! You have been killed,’ and shot sharply the arrow. Seeing that Karna had affixed the serpent, Madhava, the supreme among the mighty, used his power to press on the chariot with his feet. The chariot fell to the ground and the horses got down on their knees.

Analysis :
Arjuna attacked Karna but Karna successfully destroyed his weapon. Then they hit each other with many arrows. Karna then shoots the snake arrow. Arjuna was in no hurry to retaliate. Seeing this, Krishna intervenes and buries the chariot into the ground. Arjuna is saved from this, otherwise the arrows would have cut off his head. This period was clearly Karna’s.

Story:
The arrow struck the crown of the wise. The ornament that adorned Arjuna’s head was famous in earth, heaven and water. In his anger and with the power of his weapon, a Sut’s son used an arrow to bring it down from his head. It had the fiery glow of the sun, moon and planets. It was decorated with nets of gold, pearls and gems. Using his penance and efforts, it was prepared for Purandara by the son of Prithvi himself. 788 It was extremely costly in form and created panic among the enemy. It was fragrant and brought joy to the wearer. When he killed the enemies of the gods, the lord of 789 gods was pleased and gave it to Kiriti himself. It could not be destroyed by Hara, lord of water or protector of wealth, 790 and Pinaka, Pasha or Vajra791 and best arrows. The Supreme God was unable to bear this. However, by using the serpent, Vrisha now destroyed it. A flame of poison overtook him from his head and with blazing rays brought the beloved crown down to the ground. Parth’s highest crown fell down, as if the blazing sun was setting on the setting mountain. The Taj was decorated with many gems. The snake forcibly tore it from Arjuna’s head. It was as if an exquisite mountain peak, with shoots and trees in bloom, had struck the great Indra’s thunderbolt. O descendants of the Bharata dynasty! Earth, sky, heaven and water seemed to be surrounded by a storm. Then such a noise arose on the earth. Though he tried to control himself, the people were distressed and trembling. But Arjuna did not feel any pain. He tied the hair on his head with a white cloth. The serpent emerging from the arms of Karna was as brilliant as the rays of the sun. He was firm in his enmity towards Arjuna, the giant serpent. It hit the diamond and fell down. It said to him, 792 ‘Know who I am. I am steadfast in my enmity towards the two Krishnas, because they killed my mother.’793 In the battle, Krishna spoke to Parth. ‘The great serpent is firm in its enmity. Kill it.’ Thus addressed by Madhusudan, the king of Gandiva, who was furious at using bow and arrow against enemies, asked, ‘Who is that serpent moving against me of his own free will, like the empty mouth of Garuda? In? ‘ Krishna replied, ‘In Khandava, you satisfied a blazing 794 with a bow in your hand. You killed his mother thinking it to be a snake. Although his body was destroyed by arrows, he was in the sky, covered by him. ‘ The snake was falling from the sky. Jishnu cut the serpent with six sharp arrows. Entangled in her body, he fell on the ground.

Analysis :
Karna is dominant in this era. His arrow destroys the divine imperishable kingdom of Arjuna. Later on Krishna’s instructions, Arjuna killed the serpent. This chakra belonged to Karna because Karna had done the difficult task of destroying Arjuna’s imperishable crown whereas Arjuna killed only one serpent. So I will give two points to Karna and one to Arjuna.

Story:
At that time, Karna, the foremost of the brave men, looked at Dhananjaya and pierced him with ten arrows sharpened on the stone and surrounded by peacock feathers. Arjuna drew his bow back to his ears and struck it with twelve sharp arrows. Those iron arrows were like poisonous serpents in their power. He drew his bow back to his ears and shot them. He was well released. They shattered his supreme and colorful armor, as if they were robbing his life. After drinking Karna’s blood, they entered the ground with blood-soaked clumps. Vrisha became very angry when she was hit by arrows, like a giant serpent who had been beaten by a staff. He swiftly fired supreme arrows that were like giant serpents with excellent venom. He killed Janardana with twelve arrows and Arjuna with ninety-nine. Karna then pierced the Pandavas with terrifying arrows and started roaring loudly.

Analysis :
Both Karna and Arjuna pierced each other and displayed their valor and dexterity. Both looked equally good in this round.

Story:
The Pandavas could not stand this happiness. He was like Indra in his valor. He fired the supreme arrow, just as Indra struck a forceful blow. Arjuna shot ninety arrows at Karna and each of them was like a stick of Yama. Those arrows severely crushed his body, as if a mountain had been shattered by thunder. The crown of his head was decorated with gems and diamonds and he wore exquisite earrings. They got separated from Dhananjay’s arrows and fell down. His bright and exquisite armor was carefully crafted by the best craftsmen for a long time. It was extremely expensive. The Pandavas broke it into several pieces with their arrows in an instant. Those excellent arrows deprived him of his armor, then he got angry and hit him with four arrows. Distressed and killed by his enemy, he was like a diseased person suffering from pitta, phlegm, wind and wounds. Arjuna fired sharp arrows from the large circle of his bow. He put in a lot of effort and hit with might. Many supreme arrows were shot at Karna and they penetrated into his internal organs. Karna was killed by Parth’s many sharp arrows. He was seriously injured by the arrows which were fierce and powerful. It looked as beautiful as a mountain with red chalk, from which streams of red water flowed down the slopes. O descendants of the Bharata dynasty! Kiriti struck Karna and his horses and his chariot with Vatsadanta arrows. He made every effort to cover the directions using gold-tufted arrowheads. When those Vatsadanta arrows hit him in his broad chest, the son of Adhiratha looked resplendent. He looked like an Ashoka, Palash or Shalmali tree in bloom, or a trembling mountain with many sandalwood trees. O lord of the earth! Due to the many arrows clinging to the body, Karna looked handsome in battle. He looked like a valley in a mountain, covered with many big trees, or like a huge mountain, with dazzling Karnikara trees.

Karna also fired a large number of arrows from his bow. As the rays of those arrows gleamed, he looked dazzling. He was like the sun heading toward sunset, red and with a crimson solar disk. Those arrows released from the arms of Adhiratha’s son and shone like huge serpents in the sky. They clashed with the sharp and fierce arrows emanating from Arjuna’s arms in all directions and destroyed him. At that time, the earth began to tremble and a Suta’s son got confused in the battle. Due to the curse of the Brahmin, the chariot was moved in the encounter. 795 Due to the curse of Rama, the weapons no longer appeared. Unable to bear it, he moved his robe and his arms and lamented, ‘Those who know religion always believe that religion protects those who put religion at the fore. keep. But instead of protecting what is devoted, it is now bringing me down. I think religion doesn’t always protect.’ While he was speaking like this, his horse and chariot were removed and he was shaken by the rain of Arjuna’s weapons. He was struck in his internal organs and was unable to act. He repeatedly condemned religion. In the battle, after striking him with three fierce arrows in the hand, Karna pierced Parth with seven. Arjuna struck him with seventeen straight-flying and energetic arrows. He was as fearful as Indra’s thunderbolt and like fire to the touch. They pierced it with great force and then they fell to the earth.

Analysis :
Here, Arjuna dominates Karna. He breaks Karna’s crown and deprives him of his armor. Arjuna hit Karna badly. Then Karna destroys Arjuna’s weapons. Then his chariot gets stuck due to the curse and he starts forgetting the weapon. Karna condemned religion. Meanwhile, Arjuna attacked Karna. Karna hit him. Then Arjuna also answers them by piercing them with his arrows. Arjuna dominates this era.

Story:
Karna trembled. However, he demonstrated great potential. He invoked Brahmastra using his power. Seeing this, Arjuna invoked the mantras and released the Indrastra. Dhananjaya also invoked mantras on Gandiva’s bow and arrows. He released a rain of arrows, just as Purandar rained down rain. Those energetic arrows came out of the chariot of the extremely brave Partha and were about to destroy Karna’s chariot. However, when they reached before them, Maharath Karna drove them all away. When that weapon was destroyed, the hero of the Vrishni dynasty said, ‘O Partha! Radheya is destroying your arrows. Release the supreme weapons.’ Using mantras, Arjuna released the Brahmastra. With those dazzling arrows, Arjun consoled Karna. But Karna in anger used extremely energetic arrows to break the string of his bow. The Pandavas, while fixing another bow, surrounded Karna with thousands of fiery arrows. In that war, when Karna broke the string of his bow, he added another so quickly that no one could make it out. It was wonderful. Radheya countered all the weapons of Sabyasachi using his weapons. At that time his valor seemed to be greater than that of Parth. Krishna saw that Arjuna was suffering because of Karna’s weapons. He said, ‘O Partha! Get closer and hit him with the best weapons. Dhananjaya invoked an arrow with divine chants. It was like fire and snake venom. It was made entirely of iron. Kiriti paired it with Raudrastra and wished to shoot it. But, in that great battle, Prithvi swallowed one of the wheels of Radheya’s chariot.

Karna released the Brahmastra. Arjuna in turn released Indrastra. Then Karna started destroying Arjuna’s weapons. Karna dodges Arjuna’s Brahmastra with his energetic arrows and breaks Gandiva’s string. His valor seemed to be greater than that of Arjuna. This period was clearly dominated by Karna, despite the fact that Karna was engrossed in trouble.

Story:
Radheya started crying bitterly. He said to Arjuna, ‘O Pandavas! Wait for a moment. You can see that my central wheel 796 has sunk because of destiny. Hey Partha! Abandon that idea 797 which is only suitable for cowards. O Arjuna! Weapon should not be used on anyone who does not have hair, on one who does not want to fight, on a brahmin, on the one who bows down with folded hands, on the one who seeks refuge, on the one who has given up Yes, weapons should not be used. Weapon, on the face of a disaster, on someone who does not have arrows, on someone whose armor is destroyed, or on someone whose weapon is broken. Heroes do not strike such people, and neither do the kings and lords of the earth. O Conteya! you are heroic wait a little longer. Hey Dhananjay! Let me get the wheel off the ground. You are sitting on your chariot. You shouldn’t kill me when I’m on the ground. O Pandaves! You and Vasudeva are not afraid of me. You are a Kshatriya and you are the expander of a great lineage. O Pandavas! Remember the instructions of Dharma and wait for a while.’

Sanjay said, “Vasudeva was seated on his chariot. He said, ‘O Radheya! It is fortunate that you remember religion. Often, inferior people condemn fate, but not their bad deeds, when they are mired in difficulties. Oh Karna! When you, Suyodhana, Dushasan and Shakuni Saubala brought Draupadi in the same robe to the hall, did Dharma not show itself to you? When Yudhishthira, who was skilled in dice, was defeated by Shakuni, who was skilled in dice, in the assembly hall, then where did religion go? Oh Karna! During his season, Krishna was under dushasana in the 798 assembly hall and you laughed at him. Where did religion go then? Oh Karna! Taking the support of the king of Gandhara and longing for the kingdom, you challenged the Pandavas. 799 Then where did religion go?’ When Vasudeva addressed Radheya like this, the Pandava Dhananjaya remembered all this and turned away with great anger. A strong flame of anger was pouring out of all the pores of his body and it was extraordinary.

Analysis :
Here Karna asks Arjuna to stop the war until he takes off the wheel of his chariot. Krishna reminds Karna of his past deeds and condemns him. There is no fighting in this phase.

Story:
Seeing this, Karna again invoked Brahmastra against Dhananjaya. He rained arrows and tried to remove his chariot. The Pandavas fought those weapons with their own weapons. Kontay then dropped another weapon, beloved of the fire god, towards Karna. It erupted strongly. Karna quelled the fire with Varun’s weapon. It covered all directions with clouds and it was as dark as a rainy day. Pandavas are not afraid. When Radheya saw it, Bahadur used the Vayavya weapon and drove away all the clouds. The elephant’s habitat was of the highest standard. It was decorated with gold, pearls, gems and diamonds. It was crafted by excellent craftsmen for a long time. It was expensive and beautiful in appearance. It always inspired your soldiers and terrified and intimidated the enemy. It was famous in the world and ignited like the sun and the moon. Kiriti used razor-pointed arrows that were gold-tipped and pointed. With this, he brought down the handsome and blazing standard of Maharatha, the son of Adhiratha, the great soul. Oh dear! When that standard was uprooted, fame, dharma, victory and everything dear to the hearts of the Kauravas also fell. There were loud voices of lamentation.

“To ensure the death of Karna, the Pandavas took out an Anjalika Astra arrow. It was like the thunderbolt of Indra the great, or like a stick made of fire. It was ignited in its rays, as with a thousand rays. 800 It was able to penetrate the internal organs and smear itself with blood and flesh. It was very expensive and was like fire and sun. It could destroy men, horses and elephants and was three cubits long, with six tufts. 801 It traveled straight and had a great power. In his power he was like the thunderbolt of a thousand eyes. It was difficult to cope with like predatory animals. It was like the cycle of Pinaka and Narayana. It was frightening and destructive to the creatures. He invoked the mantras and stuck that supreme and great weapon on the Gandiva. He said loudly, ‘I am holding this great weapon, which is in the form of an arrow. It is extremely difficult to withstand and is capable of destroying the body. If I have tormented myself by penance and have satisfied my superiors, if I have listened to what my well-wishers have told me, then through that truth, let this arrow kill my armored enemy Karna, and give me victory. Get it.’ Saying this, Dhananjay released that terrible arrow to kill Karna. It was as fierce as the rites performed by Atharvan and Angiras. It ignited and was impossible to bear in battle, even by death. Kiriti said happily, ‘May I win with this arrow.’ In order to kill Karna, wanting to put an end to him and lead him to Yama, he released an arrow that was as bright as the sun and the moon. With joy, so as to lead him to victory, who fired arrows with diamonds and beads. He was as radiant as the sun and the moon. He had a feeling of enmity in his mind and wanted to kill his enemy. The weapon, blazing like a sun, was shot. Like the sun, it illuminated the earth with its brilliance. The army commander was beheaded. Like the sun, with a red disk, it seemed to set. The body of the one who did generous deeds was always happy. Just like a man reluctant to leave a house full of riches, the head with great difficulty separated from the body. Without armor, the body was crushed by arrows and he lost his life. Karna’s body was cut and fell down. Blood was pouring from the wounds, like red chalk running down the slope of the mountain, when the summit rumbled. When Karna’s body fell down, a flammable mass of energy rose up in the sky. O king! When Karna was killed, all the men and warriors saw this great wonder.

Analysis :
Both the archers wield exceptional dexterity to counter each other’s divine weapons. Then Arjuna cut Karna’s level. Then, he uses Anjalika’s arrow to cut off Karna’s head. The point to be noted here is that when Arjuna did this work, Karna was distracted. Karna’s unreasonable death is pointed out by several characters including Krishna. But since Arjuna was able to kill Karna (even by deceit), I will give a point to Arjuna.

Some facts after the war –

Karna’s unjustified death –
This is what Krishna said to the Pandavas regarding the fraudulent death of Kuru masters including Karna –

Hearing that Bhishma, Drona, Karna and Bhurishrava had been killed by adharma, they wept with grief. The Pandavas were distressed and immersed in thought. Seeing this, Krishna spoke these words in a roaring voice like clouds and drums. ‘All of them were sharp in the use of weapons and were masters. In a fair fight, even though we fought valiantly, we were unable to defeat them in battle. That is why I thought of a way to kill the kings of those men. Otherwise, the Pandavas would never have won. They were the four great souls who were on earth. Even the caretakers of the world themselves are not able to kill them while following Dharma.

The Pandavas (including Arjuna) were also distressed to learn that they killed their enemies (including Karna) by following the path of adharma. But still, Karna was killed by Adharma, even if keeping the score unchanged.

The destruction of Arjuna’s chariot
The Supreme Great Spirit, the lord of all beings, descended. The celestial monkey situated on the standard of Gandiva’s protector disappeared. Earlier, it was burnt by the divine weapons of 58 Maharathas, Drona and Karna. O lord of the earth! It lit up in the middle of the fire and burned quickly. Gandiva’s chariot was burnt along with his yoke, his harness, his horses and his lovely joints. O Lord! Pandu’s sons were astonished to see that he had been burnt to ashes.

When Krishna came out of Arjuna’s chariot, he got burnt because of the divine weapons of Drona and Karna. That’s why I am giving only half a mark to Karna.

Karna deprived of many –
Narada accurately explained the myriad reasons why Arjuna was able to kill Karna.

For your welfare, the king of the gods asked him for his divine and natural armor and earrings. 30 The revered man was confused by the illusion of the Lord and gave away his natural earrings and armor. Deprived of his earrings and natural armor, while Vasudeva watched, he was slain by Vijay. It was the curse of the Brahmin and the great soul of Rama. It was a boon that he had bestowed on Kunti and Shatkratu the illusion. Bhishma disrespected him and called him only half chariot. 31 Shalya destroyed his energy. This was the policy of Vasudeva. In a battle, Gandiva’s wielder received Rudra, the king of the gods, Yama, Varuna, Kubera, Drona and the divine weapons of great-kindness. That is why Vaikaran Karna was killed, though he was as bright as the Sun. Thus your brother was cursed and deprived by many.

As we can see, there were many reasons why Arjuna was able to kill Karna. Not only did Arjuna have many advantages, but Karna had a lot of disadvantages which drained his energy in battle. But still, let’s keep the scrollboard unchanged.

Analysis –‘s final score is –
In my opinion, therefore this fight belonged to Karna. It was one of those rare battles in which defeat was given on the heroism of the victor. It was one of those rare battles where the victor considered his victory as having been achieved by following the path of unrighteousness. It was the war that brought glory to the fallen and sorrow to the victor.