The Conflict of Karna

Book excerpt: The battle of Kurukshetra was over. Millions lay dead on the field, many of them reduced to unrecognizable pieces. King Yudhishtir performed the last rites for his dead relatives. When he had finished, Mother Kunti announced that Karn was her firstborn son. The Conflict of Karna explores the enigma of Karn—the mysterious warrior who appeared out of nowhere and held the outcome of the war in his strong hands. He defeated all the Pandavas except Arjun. He did not end the war by capturing Yudhishtir when he had the chance. But who was Karn?