Readings Notes: Arjuna and Karna, Part D

Arjuna and Karna

from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie.

Arjuna beheads Karna. Source: Wikipedia.

• Plot: Arjuna and Karna are facing each other in battle. They are throwing arrows each other while Krishna and Shalya guide the chariots. The arrows they were hitting each other with were deadly. At one point, Arjuna's bowstring severed after being struck. He tells Karna to stop because the rules of battle state that you can't attack a disabled foe. Karna however doesn't listen and proceeds to shower arrows on Arjuna. When Arjuna had restrung his bow in his rage, he shot many arrows at Karna. A wheel on Karna's chariot sank into the ground and Shalya couldn't control the horses to go forward. Karna calls out to Arjuna to stop and not fight because he can't attack a helpless enemy. Krishna interjects and tells Karna how hypocritical it was of him to say that when Karna attacked Arjuna when he was helpless and how Karna and his soldiers had murdered Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu. When Arjuna heard his son's name, he was filled with rage and he shot his arrow straight at Karna, severing his head. In the end, a brother had fallen by a brother's hand.
• Strong points: 
• The figurative language when describing when the arrows were shot
• "The arrows of Arjuna fell upon Karna like to summer rain."
• "Karna's arrows were like stinging snakes and they drank blood."
• The figurative language when describing Arjuna's rage.
• "Rose up like a stricken and angry tiger held at bay"
• I think for a story based on this chapter, I could extend the ending and show it from Karna's point of view up till the point where he is beheaded.
• I can maybe have something like his soul leaving the body and him looking down at his severed head and body, and show the emotions he's going through.