Karna: The Quintessential Common Man Poem by Ajit Das

Coming out of mother's womb, you met the fate
that awaits one born out of wedlock even today.
Not cradled in her lap, but abandoned in a basket,
adrift on a river, picked up, raised by a charioteer
of low origin - thus began the story of rejection
through the whole life without any of your fault.

Though gifted with superior skills in bow and arrow,
you had to fight for recognition, acceptance; in return,
there were curses and insults for your inferior origin.
You got no chance to contest with princely disciples
of Drona and had to withdraw at the last moment,
when you were set to hit the target at swyambara.

Was it a divine design to dupe you on your charity,
take away kavach kundal, defuse your lethal arms,
reveal the secret of your birth at a crucial moment,
making you vulnerable and weak in determination?
But you refused to be lured by your natal mother,
declined to switch over, betraying trust and loyalty.

Knowing well that you were doomed, you entered
the battlefield, fought valiantly, met the tragic end,
unarmed, at the wheel of the chariot sunk in the earth.
You died with grace, quiet dignity - your saga lives on.
You're the quintessential common man fighting against
prejudices, ever seeking recognition of innate talents.
___________________

*Drona: Dronacharya, the military arts teacher of
Pandavas and Kauravas of Mahabharata
*Swyambara: in ancient India a ceremony in which
the bride chose her husband herself
*Kavach Kundal: mythical biomechanical armour
Karna born with