Vikarna

Vikarna
Information
Affiliation	Kaurava
Weapon	Bow and Arrow
Family	Dhritarashtra(father) Gandhari(mother) Duryodhana,Dushasana,Chitrasena, 96 other (brothers),Dushala(sister) andYuyutsu(half-brother) (siblings)
Relatives	Pandavas(paternal cousins) Shakuni(maternal uncle)

In theHindu epicMahabharata,Vikarna(Sanskrit:विकर्ण) was the thirdKaurava,a son ofDhritarashtraandGandhari,and a brother to thecrown princeDuryodhana.Vikarna is also referred to as the most reputable of the Kauravas.Vikarna was the onlyKauravawho opposed the humiliation ofDraupadi,the wife of his cousins of thePandavasafter Yudhisthira lost her freedom in a game of dice to Duryodhana.

Etymology

The wordVikarnahas two meanings. Basically it is made from two words. First word isvinā(विना) orvishāla(विशाल), while second word iskarna(कर्ण.vināmeans 'without' andvishālameans 'large'. Andkarnameans 'ears'. So this name contains two meanings. Either it is 'the one who is earless' or 'large eared'. This could say something about his character. It is possible that the name Vikarna basically came from his character of either not listening to anyone(self-esteemed) or who listens and captures wisdom through his (large)ears.

Adolescence

Vikarna was one ofDrona's students who excelled in archery like Arjuna. On completing their training, Drona asked theKauravasto bring himDrupadaas aguru dakshina.Duryodhana,Dushasana,Yuyutsu,Vikarna, and the remaining Kauravas with theHastinapuraarmy attackedPanchala.Their attack was repelled. Vikarna and his brothers were forced to flee and abandon the field.

Game of dice

During the infamousdice gameof theMahabharata,Vikarna raised his voice against the game as a whole, and specifically, at the mistreatment ofDraupadi,his sister-in-law. Vikarna echoed the questions Draupadi had already asked theKuruelders, demanding that her questions be answered. His protests were met with silence, even from the wise elders likeBhishmaandDrona.

In the silence, and depending on the version of the story,Karnalater rebuked and taunted Vikarna for his outburst. Vikarna quietly replied:

The sister-in-law's insult is an affront to the entire Kuru clan. If her questions are not answered, our line is doomed.

— Vikarna,

However,Madhvacharyapoints out in his commentary that in reality, Vikarna's protest was only to make a show of righteousness.

Death

Despite his misgivings, Vikarna fights forDuryodhanaduring theKurukshetra War.Bhishmanames him as one of the great warriors on theKauravaside. Mentioned throughout the war, Vikarna has a few notable moments. On the fourth day of the war, he attempts to checkAbhimanyu'sadvance, and is severely repulsed. On the fifth day of the war, he attempts to break theKing of Mahismati'sdefense of thePandavaformation, and is unsuccessful. On the seventh day, he covers the retreat of his brothers fromBhima'srampage. On the same day he stops and repulses Drupada and Shikandi and wounds them badly, causing them to retreat. On the tenth day, he attempts to preventArjunaandShikhandifrom reaching Bhishma, but is counter-checked byDrupada.

On the thirteenth day of the war, depending on the version of the story, Vikarna is either a silent bystander in the slaying of Abhimanyu or an active participant. On the fourteenth day,Arjunanavigates thechakravyuhaofDrona,in order to reach and killJayadrathabefore sunset. Duryodhana sends Vikarna to check Bhima's advance. Bhima, who had sworn to kill all ofDhritarashtra'strue-born sons, calls Vikarna a man ofdharmaand advises him to step aside. Vikarna replies that even though he knew that the Kauravas would not win a war against a side withKrishnaon it, he could not forsake Duryodhana. Pleadingly, Bhima reminds him of the dice game, where Vikarna had criticised his brother. Vikarna replied:

That was my duty then, and this is my duty now. Fight me, o son ofVayu!

— Vikarna challenging Bhima,

Bhima quickly dispatches Vikarna; in some versions of the story Vikarna asks for Bhima to perform his last rites. His death brings tears to the eyes of Bhima. After his death, Bhima laments:

Alas, O Vikarna, you were just and knew what was dharma! You fought in loyal obedience to the call of duty. Indeed this battle is a curse upon us wherein men like you...have had to be slaughtered.

— Bhima upon Vikarna's death

Analysis

Vikarna is comparable toKumbhakarnafrom theRamayana.Both Vikarna and Kumbhakarna acknowledged that their elder brother's actions are againstdharmabut ultimately they remained loyal toDuryodhanaandRavanarespectively. Vikarna is contrasted withYuyutsu,who felt that Duryodhana's actions, however defected toPandavasat the onset ofKurukshetra war.

References

• Mahabharata byC. Rajagopalachari