Karna was one of the most controversial characters in Mahabharata. There are several books written by eminent authors in various languages describing his greatness while there were some who criticized him as well. He is one of the central characters of Mahabharata whose contribution, (or the lack of it, at appropriate times), has altered the course of the epic Dharma Yudh.
Rahul Gandhi is the youth icon projected by Congress party and is all tipped to become the future Prime Minister, thanks to the blind faith displayed by the Congressmen in the Nehru – Gandhi parivar, even after several decades of independence. He has been in controversy mainly over his abilities to hold high posts in the government. Many outside Congress feel that he is just an ordinary person. However, by sheer virtue of the democratic principles, he can still become the Prime minister in 2014 if the Congress party comes to power at the centre for a third term in a row.
Let us compare these two characters, one from ancient Mahabharata and one from Bharat of contemporary times.
Birth and upbringing
Karna was born in a royal family, yet his upbringing was in a charioteer’s house. His mother, Kunti had left him in river stream immediately after his birth. He was spotted by a charioteer who brought him home. As such he was denied any of the privileges he should have obtained as a prince. He was denied a respectable status in his growing years, good education and the most importantly, respect in the society.
On the contrary, Rahul is born in a royal family. His family had given three prime ministers to India in the past. He has grown up amidst environment in which everyone around him looked at him with appreciation, praise and respect. He has been brought up in a royal manner and has been generously given all the privileges. He is widely respected (by all the congressmen) and honored everywhere he goes.
Abilities and Recognition
Karna had all the abilities to challenge Arjuna as the best Dhanurdhar. He had his training from Parashuram and was equally skilled as Arjuna. Yet, he was never allowed to show case his talent on the grounds that he is from a lowly family. This hurt him the most. Throughout his life, he suffered the ignominy of being not given opportunities commensurate to his abilities.
The two most important occasions where he was not allowed to showcase his talents were during the Draupadi Swayamvar and the initial phases of Dharma Yudh.
During the Draupadi Swayamvar, even before Arjuna aimed his arrow at the revolving fish, Karna had risen from his seat to make an attempt. And had he attempted it, he would have succeeded also. However, He was not allowed to proceed by Draupadi on the pretext that he is a Soota putra, a charioteer’s son.
The second occasion was when the Dharma Yudh began; Bheeshma was the commander of Kaurava’s army. And he refused to allow Karna to fight under his leadership because of his origins. However, on Duryodhana’s insistence it was agreed that the day Bheeshma leaves his position as commander, Karna would join the battle. And that delayed Karna’s contribution to the battle by few days, which proved to be very crucial in the end.
Both these incidents have great importance and would have had a definite bearing on the end result if he was allowed to make his contribution.
Rahul Gandhi has been given ample of opportunities throughout his life. Irrespective of his abilities or the achievements on ground, the opportunities are pushed to him continuously in the fond hope that his magic will start working some day.
For last few years, he has been touring across India on the name of strengthening the party by inducting youth. He met several college students in various cities and lectured them. He campaigned for several state elections. He even joined a farmer’s agitation and organized a Kisan Mahapanchayat. However, in spite of his genuine efforts, the success has eluded him so far.
His biggest defeat so far has been the UP elections in 2012. He campaigned relentlessly for over three months, travelling extensively in remotest parts of UP, holding hundreds of meetings, road shows etc. It would remain a mystery, however, as to who was the strategist who advised him to roughen up his looks and act erratically to attract the voter’s fancy.
Fate and Destiny
The fate is playing a very cruel game in both these cases.
In Karna’s case, he always asked the creator, for what crime is he being punished? Why is he being bestowed with such brilliant abilities, if he cannot make use of them? What was his mistake, for which he had to always suffer the ignominy of being born in a low status family?
And in Rahul’ case, even he must be asking the creator, for what crime is he being punished? Why is he being given so many opportunities without giving him the required abilities and more importantly Success? Beyond a point, it becomes humiliating that one has such opportunities, but is not able to capitalize them.
The sufferings will continue for Rahul, as they did for Karna…because whether one has Opportunity without Ability OR Ability without Opportunity, the suffering is similar…!
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