Wednesday, January 31, 2007

The tragic hero

He walked the earth many feet high,
Beauty and pride etched on his face,
Royalty, ironically, was gifted to him,
Powerful he was, with both bow and mace.

Vrisha, Vaikartana, and Vashusena was he,
Though popularly known as the mighty Karna,
Barring the transgression he wrought on Draupadi,
He was the embodiment of Truth and Dharma.

Even the strongest hearts quiver upon the sound of death,
But embrace he did what makes us human.
Kindness was he, illustrated by,
That gift of armor to Indra the Brahman.

Not once did he shirk an obligation to generosity,
Bringing down his own castle once,
Not only did he lay down his very own life to the call of duty,
To it he surrendered his own eight sons.

A life of misery ended by a shaft.
Sent forth by his worst enemy.
That unique way of death,
Gave him fame for all generations that could be.

The ideal tragic hero is Karna
Torn apart by duty and love
They say as complex a character as he shall never
Be created by our father sitting above.

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5 Comments:

Blogger Vivek said...

I would recommend you read this novel called 'Mrityunjaya' by Shivaji Sawant, which I think, is supposed to be the autobiography of Karna.

The review can be read here:
http://www.boloji.com/bookreviews/030.htm

Wed Jan 31, 04:56:00 PM  
Blogger aditya said...

Hi Sunil,
Superb poem. Contrary to popular belief, I strongly feel, that a poem should have rhyming lines. And good to see such a well-written poem retaining the "rhyming". (I did not understand quite a few lines, but I guess that's due to ignorance about mythology). Anyway, keep writing, and do expect inane comments from me.

Adi.

Wed Jan 31, 06:46:00 PM  
Blogger Sunil Natraj said...

Hey Vivek and Adi. Thanks for your comments.

@Vivek: I know about Mrityunjaya. Have heard lots about it. I am planning to buy it asap.

@Aditya: Your comments can never be inane

Thu Feb 01, 10:12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Sunil, nice work.You have choosen a person whom history has misunderstood and misquoted. and you have done a good job at that. That takes talent. Keep it rolling dude.

Mon Feb 26, 07:16:00 AM  
Blogger Maya said...

AWESOME...Karna is one of the most understated & less-highlighted mythological characters in the Mahabharata.
As you rightly wrote,barring that one incident(Draupadi-related),he was indeed a man of honour & virtue;one who stood by Duryodhana in the latter's hour of need although this meant fighting against his own brothers because Duryodhana was his 'friend'.

An epitome of values he was,but blessed with a life that must've hardly been a pleasure living.

Lets make him immortal by atleast trying to practise some of his principles in our own,small,human ways:-)

Tue Feb 27, 04:21:00 PM  

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