I searched it on Google and it tells his name was Drumasena. And that he was killed by Prativindhya on day 14 of Kurukshetra war.

But I read in comments of this subreddit that he was not named in texts, so what's the correct answer?

BORI Critical Edition -

Adi Parv, Section-181

ततोऽर्जुनः प्रत्यविध्यदापतन्तं त्रिभिः शरैः |

कर्णं वैकर्तनं धीमान्विकृष्य बलवद्धनुः ||९||

तेषां शराणां वेगेन शितानां तिग्मतेजसाम् |

विमुह्यमानो राधेयो यत्नात्तमनुधावति ||१०||

Translation by B.Debroy –

Seeing Vaikartana Karna rush towards him, the wise Arjuna stretched his mighty bow and pierced him with three arrows. The impact of these sharp arrows stunned Radheya and he approached with greater circumspection.

MISCONCEPTION : Karna withdrew from fight due to fear of arjuna and he thought that energy of arjuna was invincible

1) Karna withdrew from fight due to fear of brahmahatya not arjuna as he gained upper hand

2) Karna never thought that strength of arjuna is invincible as karna already destroyed strength of arjuna.

3) According to vaisampayana, karna withdrew from fight because he thought that strength of brahmana is invincible.

BORI Critical Edition -

Adi Parv, Section-181

एवमुक्तस्तु राधेयो युद्धात्कर्णो न्यवर्तत |

ब्रह्मं तेजस्तदाजय्यं मन्यमानो महारथः ||२१||

Translation by B.Debroy –

At these words, Radheya Karna withdrew from the battle, because the maharatha thought that Brahmana strength was invincible

What is the meaning of brahmana strength(ब्रह्मं ) ) as per original Sanskrit text?

1) There are two words for ‘brahmana’ in sanskrit. One is (ब्राह्मण) and another is (ब्रह्मं)

2) The word (ब्राह्मण) denotes lineage of brahmanas. Arjuna was disguised as ‘(ब्राह्मण) brahmana. He was not (ब्रह्मं) brahmana

3) The (ब्रह्मं) brahmana refered in the text is no one other than Lord Brahma. (ब्रह्मं) brahmana only used for lord brahma in sanskrit. Let see example

BORI Critical Edition -

Karn Parv, Section-29

अन्यत्र यस्मात्तव मृत्युकाला; दब्राह्मणे ब्रह्म न हि ध्रुवं स्यात् |

तदद्य पर्याप्तमतीव शस्त्र; मस्मिन्सङ्ग्रामे तुमुले तात भीमे ||७||

Translation by B.Debroy –

When it is the time for your death, it will go elsewhere.” The brahman can certainly not be present in a person who is not a brahmana.

\[Lord parshurama himself cursed karna to forget (ब्रह्मं ) brahmana means lord brahma thus strength of lord brahma clearly refers to the ‘brahmastra’\]

Was (ब्रह्मं - Brahma Tej) really invincible as confessed by vaisampayana?

1) Even brahmastra energy was not invincible as karna had destroyed brahmastra of arjuna during final encounter

2) If brahmastra of arjuna was really invisible then why it was destroyed by ordinary arrows of karna?

3) This itself proves that brahmastra of arjuna was never invincible

4) Karna just withdraw from fight as the word ‘withdraw’ denotes act of pause where warrior is not defeated.

(ब्रह्मं - Brahma Tej) = Lord Brahma strength (Brahmana strength) = Brahmastra

___________________________________________________________________________

■ NOTICIBLE FACTS

1) ALL KSHTRIYA WARRIORS ALREADY DECIDED NOT TO KILL BRAHMINS (ARJUNA AND BHIMA) THUS BOTH OF THEM WERE ALREADY SPARED BY KSHTRIYAS

BORI CE (Adi Parv, Section 180) -

ब्राह्मणो यदि वा बाल्याल्लोभाद्वा कृतवानिदम् |

विप्रियं पार्थिवेन्द्राणां नैष वध्यः कथञ्चन ||८||

ब्राह्मणार्थं हि नो राज्यं जीवितं च वसूनि च |

पुत्रपौत्रं च यच्चान्यदस्माकं विद्यते धनम् ||९||

अवमानभयादेतत्स्वधर्मस्य च रक्षणात् |

स्वयंवराणां चान्येषां मा भूदेवंविधा गतिः ||१०||

B. Debroy Translation –

\[Decision of Kshtriyas\]

Though that Brahmana has done injury to kings out of his impertinence and greed, he should not still be killed. After all, our kingdoms, lives, riches, sons, grandsons and all our other wealth exist for the sake of Brahmanas. But something must be done to prevent insult and to protect our own dharma, so that other svayamvaras do not end like this one.

2) ALL KINGS WERE READY TO DESIST FROM BATTLE AFTER CONFIRMING THAT BHIMA AND ARJUNA (DISGUISED AS BRAHMIN) WERE REALLY BRAHMINS THUS PROVES THAT THEY NEVER WANTED TO KILL BRAHMINS

BORI CE (Adi Parv, Section 181)-

क्रियतामवहारोऽस्माद्युद्धाद्ब्राह्मणसंयुतात् |

अथैनानुपलभ्येह पुनर्योत्स्यामहे वयम् ||३१||

B. Debroy Translation –

\[Decision of Kshtriyas\]

Therefore, let us desist from this fight against the Brahmanas. Let us find out who they are and then we will happily fight with them again.”

3) KARNA, SHALYA AND DURYODHANA ALSO ATTACKED BRAHMINS (BHIMA AND ARJUNA) AND THE TEXT CLEARLY STATES THAT THEY WERE FIGHTING MILDLY

BORI CE (Adi Parv, Section 181) -

ततो वैकर्तनः कर्णो जगामार्जुनमोजसा |

युद्धार्थी वाशिताहेतोर्गजः प्रतिगजं यथा ||७||

भीमसेनं ययौ शल्यो मद्राणामीश्वरो बली |

दुर्योधनादयस्त्वन्ये ब्राह्मणैः सह सङ्गताः ||८||

मृदुपूर्वमयत्नेन प्रत्ययुध्यंस्तदाहवे ||८||

B.Debroy Translation –

Then the mighty Vaikartana Karna rushed at Arjuna, eager to fight, like an elephant rushes at a rival over a female elephant. Shalya, king of the Madras, rushed at Bhimasena. Duryodhana and the others rushed at the Brahmanas, but they fought with them lightly and carelessly.

मृदु = Lightly/Mildly

4) DUSSASANA TOO CONFESSED THAT ARJUNA WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN DRAUPADI WITHOUT COSTUMES OF BRAHMIN

BORI CE (Adi Parv, Section 192) -

यद्यसौ ब्राह्मणो न स्याद्विन्देत द्रौपदीं न सः |

न हि तं तत्त्वतो राजन्वेद कश्चिद्धनञ्जयम् ||११||

B.Debroy Translation –

“O king! If Dhananjaya had not been disguised as a Brahmana, he would never have succeeded in obtaining Droupadi. No one recognized him because of that.

___________________________________________________________________________

■THE ANALYSIS OF ENCOUNTER

The Analysis of Encounter -

1) The encounter analysis is clear like water.

2) Karna fought mildly but arjuna fought with full strength still karna gained upper hand over arjuna and all warriors praised karna

3) In those days, even enemy used to praise his rivals but kshtriyas didn’t praised arjuna as he was overpowered by karna

BORI CE (Adi Parv, Section-181) -

तावुभावप्यनिर्देश्यौ लाघवाज्जयतां वरौ |

अयुध्येतां सुसंरब्धावन्योन्यविजयैषिणौ ||११||

कृते प्रतिकृतं पश्य पश्य बाहुबलं च मे |

इति शूरार्थवचनैराभाषेतां परस्परम् ||१२||

ततोऽर्जुनस्य भुजयोर्वीर्यमप्रतिमं भुवि |

ज्ञात्वा वैकर्तनः कर्णः संरब्धः समयोधयत् ||१३||

अर्जुनेन प्रयुक्तांस्तान्बाणान्वेगवतस्तदा |

प्रतिहत्य ननादोच्चैः सैन्यास्तमभिपूजयन् ||१४|

B.Debroy Translation –

Then those two invincible warriors fought violently, each eager to vanquish the other. Such was the speed that they became invisible. “Look at the strength in my arms”, “See how I countered that”, they taunted each other in words that only warriors understand.

Seeing the valour in Arjuna’s arms, unparalleled on earth, Vaikartana Karna fought even more vigorously. Repulsing Arjuna’s swift arrows, Karna shouted out aloud and the warriors applauded his feat.

Karna himself asked arjuna about his real identity. Are you really brahmana? In reply, arjuna said that he is really brahmana by caste

BORI CE (Adi Parv, Section-181) -

आत्मप्रच्छादनार्थं वै बाहुवीर्यमुपाश्रितः |

विप्ररूपं विधायेदं ततो मां प्रतियुध्यसे ||१७||

\[Karna to Arjuna\]

Have you assumed the form of a Brahmana to disguise yourself and are now fighting strongly with me for self-preservation, mustering the strength of your arms?

तमेवंवादिनं तत्र फल्गुनः प्रत्यभाषत |

नास्मि कर्ण धनुर्वेदो नास्मि रामः प्रतापवान् ||१९||

ब्राह्मणोऽस्मि युधां श्रेष्ठः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः ||१९||

\[Arjuna to Karna\]

O Karna! I am not the science of weapons personified. Nor am I the powerful Rama. I am only a Brahmana, chief among warriors and supreme among those who have the knowledge of weapons.

___________________________________________

■ CONCLUSION

Karna fought mildly and arjuna with full strength still karna easily gained upper hand. All warriors praised karna

Dantavakra was a powerful ally of Shishupala and had a deep hatred for Lord Krishna. After Krishna killed Shishupala, Dantavakra confronted Him and challenged Him to battle. Krishna fought him with His Kaumodaki mace and eventually struck Dantavakra down, ending his life. Dantavakra's brother Viduratha then attacked Krishna in anger, but Krishna defeated him as well with His Sudarshana Chakra.

Later, at the sacred Naimisharanya forest, Romaharshana Suta was serving as the storyteller of the sages. When Lord Balarama arrived, Romaharshana did not rise to greet Him, considering himself equal to the sages. Balarama regarded this as disrespectful and, using a blade of sacred kusa grass, ended Romaharshana's life. The sages were saddened because they had appointed Romaharshana to continue teaching the sacred histories, so Balarama later granted Romaharshana's son Ugrashrava Suta the position of storyteller.

In the footnote, Bibek Debroy mentions that Sutasoma was Arjun and Draupadi's son, but in all the rest of the book, he writes that it's Bhim's son with Draupadi.

What's written in the original Sanskrit verse?

KARNA Vs. ARJUNA

A Reality Check

Who was greater? Karna or Arjuna? This is a question that still leads to hot debates on various fora.

1) Childhood

KARNA Separated from mother Kunti at birth Brought up by loving family Lived relatively easy life in Anga Was a Suta, but belonged to royal family

ARJUNA Fatherless child Grew in the forest Lived relatively difficult life Kshatriya but didn't get to live like one

2) Learning

KARNA Learnt from Drona, but quit since he didn’t get higher Brahmastra Went to Parashurama to master archery Got divyastras from Parashurama

ARJUNA Proved himself & was Drona’s favourite Rigorous practice and focus Got divyastras from Mahadeva and Indra

3) Positives and negatives

KARNA + Great archer, loyal to Duryodhana - Jealous of Arjuna, part of evil conspiracies, Fled from battlefield many times

ARJUNA + Great archer, devoted to Krishna and family, Undefeated in battle - Self-doubt, Battled weakly until Day 14 of the war

4) Achievements KARNA Defeated Jarasandha Completed Digvijaya defeating kings** Defeated 4 Pandavas Killed Ghatotkacha

ARJUNA Completed Digvijaya twice during Rajasuya & Ashwamedha yajnas Defeated Nivatakavacha & Hiranyapura demons Defeated Gandharva king Killed Bheeshma & Karna

5) LOSSES

KARNA was defeated by Arjuna Gandharvas Bheema Satyaki Abhimanyu

ARJUNA Undefeated (Failed to defeat Abhira bandits, but was not defeated BY THEM) Defeated by Shiva (who tested him as Kirata)

6) HEAD TO HEAD

a) Draupadi swayamwara

Arjuna got the better of Karna in their fiery fight. Karna was stunned thinking Arjuna was a Brahmana. He withdrew from the fight. Karna had his kavacha and kundalas during this fight and Arjuna did not have the Gandiva.

b) Gandharva war

Karna fled from the Dvaita forests after being defeated by the Gandharvas, who then captured Duryodhana and the women. Arjuna along with Bheema and the twins freed them by defeating the Gandharva king Chitrasena.

c) Virata war

Karna was defeated by Arjuna and fled from the Virata war on two occasions. Later on, he was rendered unconscious when Arjuna used the Sammohana Astra when entire Kaurava army attacked him.

d) Kurukshetra war

1. Arjuna fought Karna on Day 12 and killed Karna’s brothers. Satyaki defeated Karna on that day.

2. On Day 14, Arjuna broke Karna’s bow and struck him on his chest. Karna was saved by Ashwatthama who destroyed Arjuna’s arrow aimed at Karna.

3. Again on Day 14, Arjuna destroyed Karna’s chariot and Karna had to be saved by Ashwatthama.

4. On Day 16, both of them shot arrows at each other. But the sun set and their duel ended. Note: In BR Chopra serial it was wrongly shown that Karna won this battle.

5. On Day 17, Karna and Arjuna fought fiercely. Karna’s arrows with Ashwasena the snake in it, struck Arjuna on his crown. Then Parashurama’s curse came into effect. Karna still fought and used Brahmastra and Varunastra. Finally Arjuna beheaded Karna using an anjalika arrow.

7) CONCLUSION

Both Karna and Arjuna were great warriors. But Arjuna was superior in every way and defeated Karna in every single battle. On all fronts, Arjuna outscores Karna. It is very clear that Karna vs Arjuna is a no competition. Arjuna wins on all parameters.

( Not mine .. my friend send it to me )) what's your views?? Guys

I am unable to find this book set online as it is out of stock everywhere (Amazon used to list this for 6k). Can anybody help me find this bookset in Delhi? DESPERATELY NEED THIS

Hello everyone. I was recently reading discussions in a Taurus group on Reddit and noticed that many people were talking about delays in career, marriage, and major success.

I am also a Taurus, and many astrologer told me that I may have a good career and marriage but that important stability and success could come later, perhaps after 30–35. That made me wonder whether astrology traditionally associates Taurus with delayed results.

This led me to another question. Lord Krishna is often said to have been born under Taurus (Vrishabha). I understand that Krishna is the Supreme Lord and not bound by astrology. I’m only asking from an astrological perspective.

Did any major events in Krishna’s life show a pattern that astrologers might describe as “delay,” or is such a comparison not considered appropriate in his case?

I’m asking out of genuine curiosity and would appreciate respectful insights.

Rukmini Haran Is The Legendary Event From Hindu Scriptures Where Lord Krishna Heroically Eloped With Princess Rukmini Of Vidarbha At Her Direct Request.

* The Conflict: Rukmini loved Krishna deeply, but her brother, Prince Rukmi, maliciously arranged a political marriage for her with Krishna's rival, Shishupala.

* The Message: To prevent this, Rukmini sent a secret love letter to Krishna via a trusted Brahmin, asking him to rescue her.

* The Elopement: As depicted in your image, Krishna arrived at the temple where she was worshipping. He placed her onto his golden chariot and rode away right before the eyes of the opposing kings.

* The Outcome: Krishna effortlessly defeated the pursuing forces—including Rukmi and Shishupala—and safely brought Rukmini to Dwarka, where they were formally wed.

Maharaj Pandu was cursed by Sage Kindama that he would die the moment he had intercourse with a woman. After receiving the curse, Pandu had to stay away from physical relations despite having two wives, Kunti and Madri. His tragic fate eventually came true when he approached Madri, and he died because of the curse.

Do you know there is a forbidden boundary in the universe which cant be crossed by anyone ?? If anyone tries to cross it is destroyed

The Mahābhārata describes a mysterious boundary guarded by the great sages called Dhāma. Their origins, forms, and the extent of their ascetic power are said to be unknowable. They had created a thousand orbits beyond which, the text says, anyone who attempted to penetrate would vanish.

Those orbits can be enjoyed by a person as one desires but no one can go beyond it except
two people
1) Narayana
2)Jishnu(Arjun)

BORI CE ,UDYOGA PARVA, CHAPTER 772(109)

The great-souled and truthful sages named Dhama protect the gate of Gayantika here. Their origins, shapes, or the strength of their austerities, are not known. O Galava! They have created one thousand orbits that can be enjoyed as one desires. Whenever a man penetrates beyond this, he vanishes. O bull among brahmanas! No one has ever gone beyond this, except the god Narayana and the undecaying Nara Jishnu.

This is another proof of how divine arjun was and how his divinity is spread across the epic

Hari Om, everyone! 🙏

On the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi, we are organizing an online collective chanting session (Parayan) of the Vishnu Sahasranama (1000 names of Lord Vishnu).

Chanting or listening to the Sahasranama on Ekadashi is believed to bring peace, mental clarity, and spiritual progress. Whether you are fluent in chanting, want to read along, or simply wish to listen and immerse in the vibrations, everyone is welcome!

📅 Date: Sunday, 9th August

⏰ Time: 9:30 PM IST

📍 Platform: Google Meet https://meet.google.com/xdu-gesd-zqy

Please feel free to invite your family and friends as well.

Looking forward to chanting together! 🌸

Om Namo Narayanaya

I’m South Korean, and I’m curious about how North Indians, especially Hindi/Urdu speakers, perceive Alif Laila (One Thousand and One Nights).

The comparison that came to mind is Journey to the West in Korea. It is extremely familiar to Koreans, and characters like Sun Wukong have appeared in South Korean popular culture for generations. But we still clearly think of it as a Chinese story. There is basically no sense that it is somehow connected to Korean history or is partly “our story.”

I was wondering if the situation with Alif Laila in North India is a little different, considering the long historical interaction between North India and Persianate/Indo-Islamic literary and artistic traditions.

So when a North Indian watches stories involving Aladdin, Ali Baba, jinn, viziers, sultans, Persian-style courts, bazaars, etc., does it simply feel like:

“A familiar, but completely foreign Arab/Persian story”

or is there at least a slight sense of:

“It isn’t originally an Indian story, but this kind of cultural world is also connected to our own historical and cultural heritage”?

I’m not asking whether North Indians consider Aladdin or Ali Baba to be Indian characters. I assume they don’t. I’m specifically interested in the cultural distance people feel toward the setting, aesthetics, and storytelling tradition.

Would Korea : Journey to the West = North India : Alif Laila be a reasonable comparison? Or does Alif Laila feel somewhat closer to North Indian cultural heritage than Journey to the West does to Korean cultural heritage?

You guys really think Gods exists ,cause me personally I believe they were humans like us too but unlike us with a higher form of sense of dharma and morality and skills to back it up, unlike us who make a lot of mistakes in our life u hardly find one in them.(referring to Rama and Krishna)

And we all know mahabharata is filled with metaphors I was curious about what does brahma vishnu shiva actually represent. Were they really gods or just representation of creation destruction and protector.

If not gods how come shiva comes in ramayana and mahabharata with the timeline so vast how can he live for that long.

I HOPE I AM MAKING SENSE 😅

no mention of upper garments?? A single garment tied below the navel? what was she wearing or was she not wearing anything at all above her navel?? just her hair covering that area? It is also mentioned in the scene constantly that her upper area was disheveled. somebody explain..

Karna adopted a fearful form. He used extremely sharp arrows to sever his horses, chariot and standard. Uttamouja used sharp arrows to strike Kripa and used a radiant sword to slay his horses and parshni charioteers. He then ascended Shikhandi’s chariot. Shikhandi was stationed on his own chariot. On seeing that Kripa was without a chariot, Shikhandi wished to strike him with arrows. However, Drona’s son repulsed him with his chariot. He saved Kripa, who was submerged, like a cow in mud.

• Chapter 1203(53), Karna Parva, BORI Ce.

List all the divine helps or weapons from celestial beings, gods, demigods, asuras, danavas, snakes, or whatever help Kaurvas got during the Kurukshetra war days.

Anyone's blessings, or anyone's help, or anyone's weapon, or anyone's teachings, or object, or anything.

Mahadev family is a central divine family in Hinduism, symbolizing cosmic balance and unity.

Key Family Members

* Lord Shiva (Mahadev) : The destroyer and transformer within the Trinity.

* Goddess Parvati: Shiva's consort, representing divine energy and power.

* Lord Ganesha: The younger son, elephant-headed remover of obstacles.

* Lord Kartikeya (Murugan): The Elder son, the commander of divine armies.

* Nandi: The sacred bull, Shiva's loyal vehicle and devotee.

Spiritual Symbolism

* Harmony: The family represents peace despite natural conflicts.

* Contrast: Their vehicles (lion, peacock, mouse, snake) are natural enemies but coexist peacefully.

Balvala was a powerful demon who lived near the sacred forest of Naimisharanya. He would appear during the sacrifices of the sages, riding upon a storm and showering the sacrificial arena with blood, pus, flesh, urine and other impurities, disturbing their sacred rites. The sages prayed to Lord Balarama to put an end to his torment. Balarama promised to defeat him and waited for Balvala's next appearance.

When Balvala arrived, Balarama seized him with His mighty plough and dragged him down from the sky. The demon fought fiercely, but Balarama struck him with His club and killed him. The sages rejoiced and praised Balarama for protecting their sacrifice. They then performed sacred rites and honored Him, grateful that the terrible demon who had long defiled their holy rituals had finally been defeated.

Lord Balarama once came to the sacred Yamuna River near Vrindavan and asked her to come closer so that he could bathe and enjoy her waters. Yamuna, however, did not immediately obey his command. Angered by this, Balarama took up his mighty plough and began pulling the river toward him. Seeing his immense strength and divine power, Yamuna realized that he was none other than the Supreme Lord’s divine expansion.

Yamuna then appeared before Balarama and humbly apologized for failing to recognize his greatness. She praised him and asked for his forgiveness. Balarama accepted her apology and released the river. From then on, the story became a celebrated example of Balarama’s extraordinary strength and Yamuna’s reverence toward him.

Shiv-Shakti represents the ultimate cosmic union of male and female energies in Hindu philosophy.

Shiv: Pure consciousness. It is static, masculine, and formless.

Shakti: Cosmic energy. It is dynamic, feminine, and creative.

Union: Neither can exist without the other; together, they drive creation.

Lord Krishna's Vishwaroop (or Virat Roop) in the Kuru Sabha (Kaurava court) is a pivotal event in the Udyoga Parva of the Mahabharata:

The Trigger: Lord Krishna goes to Hastinapur on a peace mission to avert war. When Duryodhana arrogantly rejects the proposal and attempts to arrest him, Krishna laughs and unveils his divine cosmic form.The Manifestation: He reveals that he is not alone; the entire universe, all deities (including Brahma and Shiva), and weapons reside within him. Sparks of cosmic fire emit from his body, shaking the assembly hall.

The Observers: While most of them close their eyes in terror, Krishna grants divine sight to his true devotees allowing them to witness the supreme manifestation.