Epics of India Storybook

Arjuna pulled back his bow and aimed an arrow at Karna. “I am afoot and unarmed!” cried Karna, as he pulled on his chariot in an attempt to dislodge the wheel from the earth. “Arjuna, wait for me! Be not a coward!”

But Arjuna did not see an unarmed man, defenseless before him. He saw the chariot-driver’s son who had long ago interrupted the exhibition and out-performed him. He saw the disrespectful rogue who had insulted his wife, saying she deserved nothing more than to be won or lost at dice. He saw the warrior who had devoted himself to the cause of the wretched Duryodhana. He saw his enemy who had marched into his own tent in insolence and challenged him to battle. This man deserved death, defenseless or not.

A volley of arrows flew from Gandiva, but Karna dodged them and barely escaped death. He abandoned his wheel to the earth and pulled from his chariot Naikartana, the mighty weapon he had received from Indra. He aimed the infallible dart at Arjuna and felt victory near at hand.

Had not Krishna been his driver, Arjuna would have perished beneath the might of Naikartana. At the last possible moment, Krishna dipped the chariot into the earth, and instead of smashing through Arjuna’s chest the dart deflected off the top of his head. Fighting through the searing pain in his head and straining his eyes to see through the blood that flowed down into them, Arjuna let fly an arrow aimed at Karna. Arjuna’s arrow hit Karna, who had expected no retaliation, and took off his head.

Arjuna felt relief wash over him. He had defeated his enemy and removed one more obstacle standing between his brothers and their rightful kingdom. Krishna turned the the chariot around and headed back to the Pandava camp. Though Arjuna felt elated and victorious, something did not feel quite right. As he glanced over at Krishna, Arjuna had a suspicion that he was keeping some important information to himself.