Lord Bhishma lay waiting for his inevitable death on the bed of arrows created by Arjuna. Helpless then, and helpless now, he heard footsteps approaching. The visitor was none other than Karna, who stood a few feet away, hands folded in respect.
Karna: “Please accept the greetings of Karna.”
Bhishma: “So, you’ve finally come, my child! I was expecting you, Kounteya!”
Karna was startled. “Kounteya” meant the son of Kunti, and Karna had only recently learned the truth about his birth. How could Bhishma know this? It seemed as though Bhishma was aware of his past in detail. As if sensing Karna’s confusion, Bhishma responded in a soft, weakened voice.
Bhishma: “Yes, my child. I knew your story from the moment I first saw you.”
Karna: “Is that why you didn’t let me fight under your leadership against the Pandavas?”
Karna spoke the words aloud, his realization dawning upon him.
Bhishma: “I tried to avoid the battle between you and Arjuna. But the will of the gods is beyond our control.”
Bhishma sighed deeply, taking a brief pause before continuing.
Bhishma: “My child, tell me—what brings you to this old man?”
Karna: “Tomorrow, I will face my brother Arjuna on the battlefield. I seek your blessings.”
Karna stepped forward, touched Bhishma’s feet, and sat at his side.
Bhishma: “My blessings have always been with you, dear. But you don’t need them to win the battle. You were taught by Lord Parshurama; you are strong enough to face anyone in battle.”
Karna: “I seek your blessings not for victory, but for the strength to fight my battle as Duryodhana’s commander. I don’t want my brotherly love for Arjuna to overshadow my duty.”
Bhishma: “If you love your brother so much, why are you fighting him?”
Bhishma’s voice held a hint of desperation, hoping to make Karna see the deeper truth.
Karna: “I cannot abandon Duryodhana.”
Bhishma sighed again, his understanding clear. “I know, my child. You are as helpless as I am.” He paused for a moment, then spoke with a finality.
Bhishma: “My blessings are with you. Tomorrow, you will fight the greatest battle of your life.”
Karna: “May I ask you something?”
Bhishma: “Go ahead, my child.”
Karna: “Is Arjuna a better warrior than me?”
Bhishma: “Who am I to answer that? Only time can tell who is the greatest between Karna and Arjuna. But tomorrow, Arjuna will face his greatest rival, while you, my child, will fight your brother. You will fight your emotions, and you will fight for Duryodhana. Your battle is far greater than Arjuna’s. Even if you lose, the world will remember you forever. So, borrowing from Govinda’s words, I tell you—perform your duty with honesty, and do not worry about the outcome.”
Karna saw tears in the eyes of this veteran warrior. He sat in silence, offering his company to Lord Bhishma. Though no further words were spoken, the silence between them communicated volumes.
(Read the first part of this story – Who is the greatest; Arjuna or Karna-1 )