Capítulo 1: Prologue: The Final Battle
What if Karna, The Son Of The Sun God, was given a second chance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, just before the Battle of Wakanda.
Watch as the glorious Son Of Lord Surya fights and protects the Universe from the madness of Thanos and his Black Order.
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Important Notes:-
Putr:- It means Son. If someone is called Suryaputr or Indraputr, it means Son of Surya and Son of Indra.
Vyuh:- An army formation, used during battles of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The most famous and dangerous Vyuh was Chakravyuh.
Guru:- It means teacher.
Arda-Rathi (Plural Arda-Rathas):- A Class of Warrior who can fight against 2500 Soldiers simultaneously.
Ratha (plural Rathas):- A Class of Warrior who can fight against 2 Arda-Rathas or 5000 Soldiers simultaneously, without using any Celestial Weapons.
Athirathi (Plural Athirathas):- A Class of Warrior who can fight against 12 Rathas or 60,000 Soldiers simultaneously, without using any Celestial Weapons.
Maharathi (plural Maharathas):- A Class of Warrior who can fight against 12 Athirathas or 720,000 Soldiers simultaneously, without using any Celestial Weapons.
Vrisha:- One of Karna's nicknames. It means one who always sticks to his vows.
Radheya:- Another one of Karna's Nicknames. It means Son of Radha.
Vijayadhari:- Another one of of Karna's Nicknames, it means Wielder of the Celestial Bow Vijaya.
Vaikartana:- Someone who is from the Lineage of The Sun God, Surya. Another one of Karna's nicknames.
Vrikodar:- One of Bheema's nickname. This means one who has immense physical strength.
Vayuputr:- Another one of Bheema's. nicknames, which means Son of Vayu, God of Wind.
Phalguna:- One of Arjuna's nicknames, given to him because of the month of his birth.
Parth:- Another one of Arjuna's nicknames, which means Son of Pritha (Kunti).
Keshav:- One of Krishna's nicknames, which means someone who has beautiful long hair.
Mitr:- It means friend.
Astra:- A Celestial Weapon or a magical Weapon presided over by Gods, given to mortals who had proven worthy to wield it's powers. It is invoked through use of Specific Spells or Mantras. An Arrow, Spear or a Javelin were the most used medium to launch an Astra but sufficiently trained Warriors can invoke and launch Astras through the power of Mind, Eyes or even pieces of Grass.
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Kurukshetra
17th Day
16 Days of War. 16 Days of Carnage. 16 Days of slaughter, which had left hundreds of millions of dead. The greatest war since the battles of The Treta Yuga (Second Age).
This War has already taken six of his nine sons. His eldest son Vrishasena has been killed by Arjuna.
His younger sons Chitrasena, Shatrunjaya, Dvipata were killed by Nakula and Sahadeva.
His third eldest son Banasena was killed by Bheema while his second eldest Son, Prasena was killed by Satyaki.
Now he only has three sons left, Satyasena and Sushena, both eager to avenge their fallen brothers. While his youngest son, 10 years old Vrishaketu, is too young to fight in this war.
Shaking his head, he continued his morning rituals of praying to the Sun God, Surya. After the prayers are done, he looked around to see if anyone has come for alms. Finding no one, he sighed and picked up his Angavastram (upper cloth) and looked at the morning Sun in all its glory.
A normal human wouldn't have noticed it but those with Divine Birth could easily see that the Sun rays are dimmed today, as if Lord Surya himself didn't want to grace this Earth with his eternal light.
Which meant only one thing.
He won't live to see the Sunset today.
He can feel it in his bones. The call of death. His brother, The God of Death, Yama is no doubt waiting eagerly for his younger brother, in his eternal abode of Afterlife.
But Karna wasn't deterred by it. Instead he felt happiness. Soon he will be released from all his vows, from all his sufferings and reunite with his father Lord Surya, in the afterlife.
Taking a deep breath he walked towards the direction of the Camp. Being the Commander In Chief of the entire Kaurava force, the sentries outside quickly bowed towards his direction, as he entered the encampment.
He entered his tent and went towards the nearby table, where something was covered in a red cloth. With a smile he unveiled it.
In front of him was a Golden Bow of great length. It was covered in Sigils and other Sanskrit mantras. The Sigils and the String of the Bow glowed in a Golden hue, which gave it a divine look.
Karna touched the Bow and felt its divine power, which is like a static running through its length.
"Vijaya" Karna whispered and looked at in admiration. No matter how much he had seen the Bow, still every time it leaves him in awe. This Bow was made by the heavenly builder Vishwakarma following the orders of Lord Shiva, who passed it to Lord Parshurama during his battles with the arrogant Kings of Treta Yuga (Second Age). Lord Parshurama then gave the Bow to him after seeing his devotion.
This Bow was equal of Arjuna's Gandiva, and it's so heavy that most Warriors can't even lift it. Even Duryodhona's with his physical strength of 1000 Elephants couldn't budge this Bow.
Till now Karna had never used this Bow in his entire life, instead saving it for the day of his greatest Battle. Today is that day and if he is going to die today, he may as well immortalise his name in the annals of history.
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Meanwhile the Kaurava War council is in an uproar.
"Are you mad?!" Dronaputr Ashwathama boomed looking at his Friend/King in disbelief "You appointed Shalya, a King, as Karna's charioteer?".
"Yes" Duryodhona answered, a little confused at his friend's anger "Shalya is the best Car Warrior in our army and my friend Karna needs the best, to fight against Arjuna".
Ashwathama took a deep breath to calm his growing anger at his oaf of a friend and replied calmly "I am not doubting Shalya's skill. But appointing a King as a Charioteer is a grave insult".
"You are also forgetting that Shalya hates Karna because of his low caste and you appointing him as The Commander in Chief had only fuelled his anger and resentment" Guru Kripacharia said in concern.
"We also shouldn't forget that Shalya is Uncle to the Pandavas" King Of Gandhar, Shakuni, pointed out quietly "What if he did something nefarious during the midst of Battle?".
"What about Satyasena? He too is a great Charioteer?" Kritiverma, the commander of the Narayani Army, asked.
"Karna's son is too vengeful to act as a Charioteer, even to his own father" Kripacharia shook his head sadly "He, and his brother Sushena, wants revenge for the deaths of their brothers".
Duryodhona finally looked thoughtful and a little concerned but before he can say anything, Karna entered the room, his Bow strapped on his back.
"It would be fine, Duryodhona" Karna said calmly nodding towards his friend "After all, King Shalya of Madra, had served us faithfully for the last 16 Days. It would do us no good to question the loyalty of someone who had bleed for our cause".
"Mitr (Friend)" Duryodhona greeted his best friend happily before looking at the Bow "Wait you are using your Vijaya Bow today?!" He asked in excitement. Even Ashwathama is smiling with excitement.
"Yes" Karna smiled "Today will be the greatest battle of my Life, so I will use my greatest Weapons".
"Then it looks like we have won the Battle already" Ashwathama smirked "Vijayadhari (Wielder of Bow Vijaya) will lead us to Victory".
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Just like the previous days the battle began with blowing of Conches from both sides. To pay tribute to his father, the Sun God Surya, Karna, as Commander in Chief, had arranged his Soldiers to make the Surya Vyuh (army formation). It was one of the best offensive Vyuh as the Soldiers are arrayed like rays of the rising Sun, to pierce deep into the enemy formation.
Meanwhile the Pandava Army under the command of Panchal Prince Dhrishtadyumna tried to counter Karna's strategy by aligning their Soldiers into the defensive Matsya-Madala Vyuh. The Formation is like a cross between a fish and an open Garland, intended to trap the enemy.
As the Battle stated Shalya, who was secretly appointed by Yudhisthira to dampen and hamper Karna's ability to battle, began insulting Karna with his barbed words about him being a low caste Suta while simultaneously praising the valour of the Pandavas, especially Arjuna.
No one knows this but Shalya had a boon from the Gods, that he can sap the strength and energy of anyone, who becomes angry with him. So he tried with all his might to make Karna angry towards him and sap his energy, by spitting taunts and insults.
But Shalya's efforts were in vain.Karna had been insulted and ridiculed throughout his entire life, just because of his dream to become a great Warrior instead of a Charioteer as his Caste demands of him. So he remained entirely unaffected by Shalya's taunting, as he had developed the willpower to ignore such petty insults.
Ignoring Shalya's insults, Karna strung the string of his Vijaya Bow. The Celestial Bow made sounds like flashes of Lightning and create Sonic booms which killed many Warriors by exploding their brains and ear drums. Many fled at the sight of the divine Bow while most fell on the ground deprived of their senses.
The Sun blazed fiercely and showered hinting rays down to let others know, how proud he is of his son. Among the rays, Karna was like a blazing inferno who was vanquishing his enemies, left and right.
Fed up with the slaughter of their army, the mighty armed Bheema, along with twenty Rathas and three Athirathas of Indraprastha, rushed towards the glorious Son of Surya. Heaving his Celestial Bow, Vayava, the Son of Wind God, and his followers began showering thousands of Sharp Arrows towards the King of Anga.
Karna however was in no mood to entertain his younger brother. Every time he had fought with Bheema, he had been fighting mildly towards him, because of his promise to his mother. But not today.
Suryaputr took three Cresent shaped arrows and cut all three strings of Bheema's Celestial Bow. He then cut down Bheema's standard, and pierced him with ten Iron tufted shafts, bringing the mighty Vrikodar to his knees. Seeing his rider in pain, Bheema's Chariot Driver, did his duty, and retreated from the battle, while his followers, The Warriors of Indraprastha, began fighting Karna, to cover their Prince's escape.
The dreadful Warriors showered their enemy with blazing Arrows but Karna with great care destroyed their attacks before severing their bows. He then took several broad Headed Arrow shafts and sliced off their heads, one by one. The headless bodies fell on the earth, devoid of life.
Seeing Bheema's retreat and deaths of his followers, Panchal Prince Dhrishtadyumna, along with, Shikandi, Yadava Satyaki and Five Sons of Draupadi attacked Karna with their sharp arrows. But Radha's Son, like Shiva the Destroyer himself, countered their attacks, and pierced each of the Warriors, with twenty arrows.
Karna then fired Tens of Thousands of Arrows towards the Pandava forces, slaughtering them like lambs on slaughterhouse. Thousands of Soldiers, Steeds, Elephants and Chariot Warriors, fell on the ground devoid of their life. Their heads severed, limbs mangled, Chariots destroyed, Weapons shattered, and Armours rented useless.
Karna then attacked Yudhisthira's division with lighting fast arrows. Many Rathas and Athirathas, aided by Thousands of Chariot Warriors, Elephants and Steeds, rushed to protect their King but Vaikartana fearlessly cut of their heads making them fall to the ground deprived of their heads and lives.
Many great Warriors, seeing their division being crushed by the ruthless enemy tried to flee, but Karna's sharp arrows pierced the fleeing Warriors and their heads, arms and weapons fell down simultaneously on the bloody Earth.
Seeing his men being killed filled Yudhisthira with righteous anger and the King roared like a Lion challenging his enemy
"Oh Suta Karna!! Son of Radha and Adiratha. You have always challenged my brother Arjuna, bearing hatred for us all, because of your jealousy." Yudhisthira shouted "Listen Oh Wicked One!! Today I will end your thirst for battle and purge this battlefield with your blood"
Saying this Yudhisthira, with his Celestial Bow Mahendra, began firing hundreds of arrows towards his enemy. Karna swiftly countered those arrows but unfortunately, one sharp arrow that was released from Yudhisthira's Celestial Bow, pierced his left shoulder.
Seeing this Yudhisthira smiled while cries of hope rose from the Pandava side, as they saw their mighty enemy being injured by their King's attack.
Karna however looked at his enemy and smirked in amusement, which drained the colour from Yudhisthira's face. Passing a mocking smile to the Pandava army, Karna began firing blazing arrows towards the Son of Yama, laughing all the while.
Yudhisthira cried out in pain as his body was pierced by Karna's arrows. His Celestial Armour, which he had received from his Father, cracked and shattered in front of Karna's assault. He fell on his knees deprived of his senses.
While this was happening, Shalya, who was secretly appointed by Yudhisthira to dampen Karna's confidence, was in complete awe of the Warrior's skills. He had stopped ridiculing Karna and praising the Pandavas, long ago. His anger and hatred for the lower caste Suta Warrior, had at first turned to jealousy and then to complete admiration. In fact his tongue now itched to praise the Warrior.
"Oh Karna! Look the Yadavas are approaching to protect their King. Deal with them first and then finish with the Son of Yama" Shalya quickly warned him. Karna looked at his driver in confusion. Till now Shalya was only insulting him and praising the Pandavas, and now he was warning and offering him advice.
Shrugging he looked at his left and indeed, Satyaki and thousands of Yadava Warriors, seeing their King in trouble, were rushing towards their position to protect Yudhisthira from the warth of his vengeful assault. They began showering him with Darts made of Iron and Javelin made of divine Celestial metals.
Karna, however like an approaching tide, destroyed their attacks and swiftly killed Satyaki's followers and began fighting with the Yadava Maharatha in a one on one duel. Satyaki seeing that he couldn't overpower Karna with normal Arrows, began invoking Astras and other Celestial Weapons to close the power gap.
Satyaki fired the Celestial Weapon, Parvatastra, and hundreds of Mountains, each as big as Mount Kailash, began falling from the sky, towards Karna.
Karna however didn't bother to invoke any Astras, instead he began firing a net of hundreds of thousands of Normal arrows towards the falling Mountains. His energised arrows pierced through the falling mountains and shattered them into fine powder by the time it reached him.
The particles of rocks, from the destroyed mountains, fell and covered the battlefield with dust. However Satyaki used Shailastra, which he had received from his mentor Arjuna, to blow the dust away from him and towards Karna's positions.
Annoyed Karna fired a Broad headed arrow and blew the roof of the Yadava Warrior's chariot. He then fired twelve arrows which broke Satyaki's Bow, killed the horses, and shattered his Chariot.
With his enemy now deprived of his weapons and chariot, Karna once again rushed towards Yudhisthira, who had regained his senses and is trying to flee the battle.
Seeing Karna rushing towards him, Yudhisthira turned and began showering his enemy with Lances, which was destroyed midway by Karna's arrows. Suryaputr then fired blazing shafts and killed Yudhisthira's Chariot driver.
Yudhisthira became extremely cheerless and jumped from his Chariot and on the ground just as Karna's arrows exploded his chariot. Karna too jumped from his Chariot and went towards the downed King and picked him up by his shoulders.
Karna laughed mockingly and Yudhisthira shuddered in fear like a kitten in front of a lion. He tried to remain brave and glare at his enemy, but Karna's blazing Golden eyes caused him to avert his eyes on the ground.
Yudhisthira hadn't told anyone, except Narada and his Wife Devika, about how afraid he was of Karna, how he had nightmares of Karna killing him and how he saw him everywhere like a shadow of death.
Radheya held Yudhisthira by his shoulders and spoke mockingly "Oh King! Look how the mighty have fallen. Looks like you have forgotten everything Guru Drona taught you. A true Warrior never flees the battlefield" Karna smirked "But I can't blame you, can I? You were always more of a Priest than a true Warrior. Always talking about how righteous you are".
He shoved Yudhisthira causing the King to stumble back "Go King! Go back to you camp and recite Vedas and perform rites and leave the fighting to true warriors. Never use harsh language in brave Warriors like me and do not come to great battles" He dismissed him with a wave "Go and hide behind Krishna and Arjuna, like you have always done".
With that final taunt Karna turned back and went to his Chariot, while Yudhisthira fled the battle without a backwards glance, running as fast as his feet can carry him.
Bheema, who had recovered from his Wounds, became enraged at the insult offered to his King and eldest brother, rushed towards the Suta. He invoked and fired the dreadful Celestial Weapon, Manavastra, which hit Karna right on his chest, swooning him and pushing his Chariot a hundred step backwards.
Karna, however recovered quickly from the attack and growled in fury. He reached for his quiver, and took barbed arrows with razor shared edges, and began letting them loose on his enemy. Bheema's initial success and confidence was crushed by Karna's onslaught as he tried to counter his enemy's arrows.
Many Pandava Warriors led by Nakula (with his Celestial Bow, Vaishnava) and Sahadeva (with Aswina), rushed to rescue their elder brother. Their advance however were payed with blood as Karna engulfed all four directions with hundreds of thousands of Arrows, which drank the blood of his enemies and rendered them lifeless.
Karna was firing arrows with such high speed that it left after images of his hand. No one can see when he picks up an arrow, draws it and then releases it.
Seeing that no one is able to overpower Karna, Dhrishtadyumna, being the commander in Chief of the entire Pandava Army began organising his forces to kill their enemy once and for all.
All Pandava Warriors, except Arjuna, came to aid Dhrishtadyumna, and they along with Shikandini, Draupadi's Sons Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Shrutakarma, Satanika, Shrutasena, Warriors of Karushas, Panchalas, Matsyas, Chedis, The Suras, Kaikeyas, Kashis, and Koshalas United together and rushed towards their enemy. Seeing such great Warriors, the normal soldiers of Pandava Army too joined in. Millions of foot Soldiers, Chariot Warriors, Horsemen, Elephant riders joined by all the Maharathas, Athirathas and Rathas, rushed towards Karna.
This was the largest group attack on a single Warrior, that the battlefield of Kurukshetra had ever witnessed after the wars of Treta Yuga (Second Age). All of the major Pandava Warriors and normal soldiers had United together and rushed in warth, to kill Karna once and for all.
Karna smirked seeing this. He felt honoured, that he had proven himself as such a threat that his enemies had to assemble such a huge group attack to kill him.
However he didn't feel any fear, even as his enemies began showering him with Arrows, Javelins, and Celestial Discs. Instead he reached for his quiver and took a huge hollowed arrow with a sharp point.
Placing the Arrow on his Vijaya Bow, he touched it on his forehead, and with a smile, began reciting the Mantra (Spell) of the special Celestial Weapon he had received from his teacher, Lord Parshurama.
As he recited the Mantra, the Arrowhead glowed in a bluish hue, as he invoked the infallible Bhargavastra, the personally created Weapon of Lord Parshuram.
Taking aim towards the herd of coming Warriors, Karna, with a smirk of victory, released the arrow towards them. The Astra exploded and bathed the battlefield in a bright light.
Then the massacre began.
The Bhargavastra released a barrage of Billions of blazing missiles, each missile being capable of shattering a Mountain. The Weapon engulfed all the four directions and consumed the battlefield along with millions of Pandava Soldiers. Many great Warrior either died countering the Weapon or fled the battlefield.
Fearless Warriors like Bheema and Satyaki tried to counter this terrible Weapon by firing their own Celestial Weapons, Agneyastra and Vayavastra, respectively, but they too failed and had to retreat from the battlefield, and towards their camp.
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Arjuna, who had just won his fight against Kritiverma and Kripacharia, in a two on one duel, looked at the destruction caused by Karna's Astra. Many Pandava Warriors cried towards him to save them from Karna's warth.
"Madhav please take the Chariot towards Karna" Arjuna requested swiftly "I have to save our Warriors and end the wretched Suta's life once and for all".
Krishna shook his head serenely "Not now Parth, not now. Ti me has not come yet." The Living God said "We should go to Yudhisthira. The King has retreated towards the camp to tend to his injuries".
"But what about Karna, Keshav?!" Arjuna questioned in concern "He is smiting our forces like the God of death himelf. If this continued we won't have an army left by Sundown".
"Trust me Parth. You will get your chance" Krishna advised "But for now your brother awaits us".
Arjuna nodded quickly. He trusts Krishna with his life. So he let the glorious Vasudeva take his chariot out of the battlefield.
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I always wanted to write a retelling of the 17th Day of The Kurukshetra War, especially from Karna's point of view where he was subjected to multiple group attacks.
Up Next:- Prologue: The Final Battle:- Part 2
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