Section IV - Bhishma commands Karna to lead Kaurava army
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section IV including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
Sanjaya recounts how the aged Kuru grandsire advised Karna to be a support for his relatives and friends, just like the ocean and the Sun are for other creatures. He praised Karna for his previous victories in battle, encouraging him to continue being a protector and enhancer of joy for his allies, and a humiliator of his foes. The grandsire urged Karna to lead the Kaurava army into battle, assuring him that his relationship with the Kurus was as strong as with Duryodhana. Inspired by these words, Karna saluted Bhishma's feet and joined the Kaurava army, filling them with joy and confidence as he stood at the head of their forces. The Kauravas welcomed Karna with enthusiasm and readiness for battle, as they prepared to face their enemies with him leading the way.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section IV - Bhishma commands Karna to lead Kaurava army, have a look at the following articles:
Section IV, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Read this and other chapters online.
Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
Buy the latest edition:
FAQ of Mahabharata, Section IV:
What was the advice given to Karna by the aged Kuru grandsire?
The advice given to Karna was to be the refuge of his relatives and friends, protect the Kaurava host, and lead them in battle like Vishnu.
How did Karna respond to the advice and what did he do next?
Karna respectfully saluted Bhishma’s feet, joined the Kaurava army, and encouraged the warriors before heading into battle. The Kauravas welcomed him with joy and loud cheers.
Daily life: Bhishma commands Karna to lead Kaurava army:
From the story above, we can gather lessons on leadership, support, and achieving goals that are applicable in daily life. One key takeaway is the importance of being a reliable pillar for friends and family, much like how Karna was urged to be the refuge for his kinsmen and enhance the joys of his friends, showcasing the trait of dependability. This narrative emphasizes the virtue of standing by those we care about and lifting them up during challenging times, which can be mirrored in our efforts to support our loved ones in real life.
Moreover, Karna’s actions, driven by the desire to do good for Duryodhana, illustrate how dedication and hard work towards helping others can lead to impactful results, such as the conquering of various lands and peoples in his quest. This teaches us that with determination, we can overcome obstacles and achieve our goals, particularly when our actions are aligned with the well-being of others. By embodying qualities like courage, generosity, and loyalty in our daily endeavors, we can inspire and lead those around us towards collective success and well-being, much as Karna aimed to do for the Kauravas. In essence, the story encapsulates the essence of leading by example, showing compassion, and striving for the collective good.