Master Post of background info for KarnaSangini
For the best learner an info-dumper could dream of : @sunshineomeara (love you!!)
All dates are from my timezone.
[[...]] are my messages.
{{...}} are Sun’s messages.
(**) - There are some links meant to state sources. Don’t click on the ones marked with this Sun, they have spoilers.
Please keep in mind that I know only what I’ve heard and read, and am not a scholar. The facts that I mention below have been told to me on various occasions and are therefore my version of what happened. You’re welcome to share any other versions you know, just be civil and polite.
I’m also excluding some facts which may give her spoilers for what happens in the future episodes. If you’re not sure about what I’ve mentioned and what I haven’t, please DM me.
Also one disclaimer : There’s not much love for Arjun here. The version of Arjun in the show is not worthy of any praise. I understand that the original text has much more Arjun-love, but you’re not gonna find it here.
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Day 1 : 13.07.20
The Pandavas :
From : the wikipedia page for The Pandavas
Yudhishthir : He was the eldest Pandava brother. His name means "one who is steadfast or stable even during war". His biological parents were Kunti and Pandu. He was spiritual son of Yama. Yama is god of virtue, justice and morality. He was a skilled warrior and was a master in spear fighting and Chariot race. His other names are Ajatshatru ("without enemies") and Dharmaraja ("admired for virtues").
Bheem : He was 2nd Pandava brother. His name Bhima means "of terrible might". His biological parents were Kunti and Pandu. He was spiritual son of Vayu-the god of air and wind (atmosphere), who was known for his might. Bhima has the physical strength and prowess equal to a 1000 elephants and was very athletic. He was aggressive and prone to anger. Bhima was devoted to his family and was their natural protector. He was a master in wielding the mace. Bhima was invincible mace fighter and invincible wrestler.
Arjun : He was 3rd Pandava. The word "Arjuna" means white, silver and shining. Arjuna was white in complexion. His biological parents were Kunti and Pandu. He was the spiritual son of Indra (king of the gods) and the god of the sky and war. Arjuna was also the incarnation of sage Nara (divine form of Vishnu). He was very virtuous and avoided unjust acts. He was known for his single-minded concentration, determination, dedication, passion, commitment and his devotion towards Krishna.
Nakula : He was 4th of Pandava brothers. His name means "without kula (or, lineage)". His biological parents were Madri and Pandu. He was spiritual son of Ashwin twin Nasatya. He was attractive, humble, diplomatic and helpful. Nakula and his younger twin brother Sahadeva were excellent sword fighters and Axe fighters respectively.
Sahadev : Sahadeva was the youngest of all the Pandavas. His name means "along gods" or "with gods". His biological parents were Madri and Pandu. He was spiritual son of the Ashwin twin Dasra. Sahadeva was the wisest of all the Pandava brothers, and the most mysterious and introverted. Like Nakula, Sahadeva was an expert of sword fighting but he was master of axe fighting.
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(talking about Guru Drona’s favourtism for Arjun)
Eklavya :
[[ When tree Pandavas were younger and in training, a boy used to watch them at their Gurukul (a school + hostel in a jungle to teach the Princes self efficiency). His name was Eklavya. He used to watch the students everyday and copy what they did, and in time, he was just as good as them. One day while on a trip through the forest, Guru Drona and the students noticed a dog with a mouth full of arrows, but not one drop of blood. (they weren't piercing it, just held between the teeth). And they were all intrigued who was so good at shooting arrows. ]]
[[ Eklavya came out of the trees and introduced himself. When asked how he knew archery so well, not being of the warrior cast, he narrated what he did. (there's discrepancy whether he was of a different caste or a different kingdom. Either way, not allowed). Guru Drona realised that if he knew archery so well only by observation, he'll surpass Arjun tenfold if he had proper training. ]]
[[ So he asked him who his teacher was. Eklavya said of course it was Guru Drona himself, as he'd observed his lessons. So he asks if Eklavya intends to pay the Gurudakshina then (The Teacher's Fee. Very important. A sign of respect. After years of training, the teacher can ask for whatever he wants, and the students have to get it.) Eklavya says Of course! What does he want? And Guru Drona asks... For his right thumb. . And right then and there, for the respect of knowledge and education, he cut off his right thumb, and was never able to shoot an arrow again. ]]
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Day 2: 14.07.20
(the shloka that is frequently chanted when Karn is on screen)
Suto va sut putra vayo
Vakova bhavayahmah...
Daiva yettem kule janm
Madyettam tu paurusham
Meaning : Whether I am a charioteer or his son, whoever or whatever I am, the birth in this family was given by my Daiva or fate. But the prowess and power that I have accomplished are by my own self.
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The Gold Armor and Earrings :
[[ He's Sun son. His dad gave him Enchanted Earrings and Armour. Only the Almighty (like one of the main gods) can take them. ]]
From : the wikipedia page for Karn (**)
Called Vasusena as a child by his foster parents, he became known by the name Karna because of the golden earrings of Surya he used to wear, according to the Sanskrit epics scholar David Slavitt.
....He is presented again in sections 1.2.127–148, and chapter 1.57 of the Adi Parvan. It is here that his earrings "that make his face shine", as well as the divine breastplate (body armor) he was born with, are mentioned for the first time. This sets him apart as someone special, with gifts no ordinary mortal has.
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(while Arjun and Kunti are talking about Karn)
[[ Suryapurta (son of Surya/Sun) and Sutapurta (son of charioteer) sound really similar. ]]
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(the scene where Karn is praying to Surya)
[[ In the mythology, Karna used to pray to the sun for 6-8 hours. ]]
From this section of the Adi Parva (**) :
Possessed of great energy, he used to adore the sun until his back was heated by his rays (i.e., from dawn to midday), and during the hours of worship, there was nothing on earth that the heroic and intelligent Vasusena would not give unto the Brahmanas.
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(the scene where they argue in the hallway about the gem)
[[ Arjun's being a total b*tch here. He actually uses the metaphor that if a cotton thread (sut ka dhaga, cuz its the same sut as in charioteer) tries to pull an iron block, it’s the thread that breaks. And Karna says that he should ask a physician whether a cotton thread is used in an injury, or iron threads. So cotton's better. ]]
{{ So basically Arjun just insulted him based on Caste and Karna was like 'I'm not here for your bull let’s take this metaphor farther' }}
[[ Precisely. ]]
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A little something from the wiki :
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Day 3: 15.07.20
[[ During my research I found out that there isn't much mentioned about Karna's wife and sons in the original, as it was mostly focused on the Pandavas and Kauravas. But there's a bit of information about his wife Vrushali. The catch : Karna was also known as Vrish/Vrush, so any wife of his would be referred to as Vrushali. ]]
https://www.robasworld.com/mahabharata-vrushali/
{{ I do wonder why they made Uruvi a princess when the website said she was in the same caste as Karnas adopted family }}
[[ I think the princess part is to introduce more chances of Karna interacting with people in a higher caste than him, rather than staying in the same social circle. Gives more opportunities for drama and plot. Also, maybe the fact that she's a princess is another argument for inter-caste marriage, that love isn't bound by such discrimination. (Inter-caste marriage is still very rare in India, at least for people who are connected to their extended family. People may say they don't discriminate, but there're a lot of shady rules that make marrying someone from a different case with all the proper rituals very difficult.) ]]
[[ Custom Family Tree for our purposes. The highlighted ones are on screen, in the time period we see. Green - dudes. Red - dudettes. Star - important for our purposes. And the red stars are sisters. ]]
{{ Altho I thought Kunti was the mother for all of the Pandavas? }}
[[ She had a boon and bore 3 sons (and Karna) with it. But then the other wife Madri cried over how her kids will never be able to equal her demi-God children. So she told her the mantra, and she had twins. I'll explain why they didn't naturally have children later, it's not important now. ]]
{{ Also I keep forgetting to ask but why does Gandhari wear the blindfold? }}
[[ So Dhritrashtra is blind since childhood. There was a lot of drama in him becoming King, cuz he's the older brother, but Pandu was the more... Healthy one. (Pandu is kinda like dumb of ass, pure of heart. But doesn't matter in this time period.) So when Gandhari married him, she blindfolded herself to face the same troubles her husband did every day of his life, so that they were equals. ]]
[[ Also, their blindness is also a metaphor for their blind love for their children, especially Duryodhan, as we'll see today. ]]
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[[ This is another important thing. He'll give anything to you, anything, if you ask him after he prays to Lord Sun. He's known as a big philanthropist, one of the best. ]] (already mentioned in the praying excerpt above)
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(Bhanumati’s Swayamvar)
(What they kept referring to when trying to justify what Duryodhan did)
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(Bhanumati asks Mahadev to save her)
[[ Mahadev, one of the main three gods. Also known as the Destroyer. ]]
For further info : Mahadev
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[[ Shakuni actually had a vendetta against Hastinapur. He really wants it all to burn to hell. Another story. ]]
From : wiki page for Shakuni (**) (kinda spoilery if you want to err on the side of caution) (I’ve included what you need to know, for now, below.)
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(the scene where Karn and Arjun question each other for being out so late. Karn questions Arjun and he replies that strangers are a threat, not family. Karn retorts by referring to what happened to Raavan.)
[[ The story of Raavan is in another Hindu Epic. I'll tell you about it later. The thing he referred to is like the prime example of your family members being the strongest weapon if they turn against you. ]]
From : the wiki for Vibhishana
Vibhishana is the younger brother of Ravana, the king of Lanka in the ancient Indian epic Ramayana. Though a Rakshasa himself, Vibhishana was of a noble character and advised Ravana, who kidnapped and abducted Sita, to return her to her husband Rama in an orderly fashion and promptly which Ravana refused sternly. When Ravana did not heed his advice, Vibhishana deserted Ravana and joined Rama's army.
In the Lanka War, Vibhishana's knowledge about the secrets of Lanka proved invaluable to Shri Rama. Vibhishana freely divulged many secrets that became key to the success of Rama's attack. In the climactic battle between Rama and Ravana, when Rama was unable to kill Ravana, he revealed the secret of Ravana's death to Rama.
