Lesser Known Character of Mahabharata: Vikarna
Every one of us has known about Mahabharata and Ramayana since childhood. These are the two greatest Sanskrit epics and have been highly influential for the people over the ages. Be it for its philosophy or its religious connotations, these epics are part of every man’s life in India. Be it a believer in religious faith or not, it is immaterial, people get to know about these epics for their insight into lives and teaches every person way of life!
The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic where the main story revolves around two branches of a family – the Pandavas and Kauravas – who, in the Kurukshetra War, battle for the throne of Hastinapura. Interwoven into this narrative are several smaller stories about people dead or living, and philosophical discourses. Krishna-Dwaipayan Vyasa, himself a character in the epic, composed it; as, according to tradition, he dictated the verses and Ganesha wrote them down. At 100,000 verses, it is the longest epic poem ever written, generally thought to have been composed in the 4th century BCE or earlier.
The events in the epic play out in the Indian subcontinent and surrounding areas. It was first narrated by a student of Vyasa at a snake-sacrifice of the great-grandson of one of the major characters of the story. Including within it the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata is one of the most important texts of ancient Indian, indeed world, literature.
Mahabharata is filled with numerous characters that have their own significant role in the epic. It is not just five Pandavas and 100 Kauravas, it is more than that. And through this series, we look at lesser Known Mahabharata characters. In this part, we look at Vikarna.
Vikarna was the son of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. He was one of the most reputable Kauravas. Despite being a Kaurava, was a ‘true’ warrior. Moreover, far above the ground games of power and pride, he, unlike his brethren, was seen as an ardent follower of ‘Dharma’.
Vikarna made his voice heard against the whole idea of the dice game. And when began the mistreatment of his sister-in-law, he became more anxious to stop the whole deal for once and all. He echoed Draupadi’s questions, which she had already raised before the Kuru leaders regarding the celebration of shame that centered around her.
This was clearly not taken well by Duryodhana who then asked Vikarna to quit voicing his opinions. Even the leaders who were considered the wisest of heads did nothing to stop the evil and save the victim. However, Vikarna emerged as the one who wouldn’t shut and see the wrong brewing before his eyes.
Vikarna’s heroic act is documented in the book ‘Vikarna’ authored by journalist Ch Srinivasa Rao, the speakers at the book launch were quoted saying, “Vikarna, one of the 100 Kaurava brothers in the epic Mahabharatam, is the right role model for youth. He is worthy of emulation in the present context of rising atrocities against women.”
Apart from his stand against Kuru Sabha’s barbaric act on Draupadi, Vikarna also has other acts of Dharma which makes him a hero. Despite harboring apprehensions, he fought the Kurukshetra battle for his brother Duryodhana.
On the fourteenth day of the war, Arjuna in progress with implementing his vow of killing Jayadratha before sunset was navigating the chakravyuh of Drona. In a counteraction, Kauravas had formed a defense to keep Jayadratha safe from the upcoming danger. Bhima, in order to assist Arjuna, pierced fiercely through the defense. At this, Duryodhana gave Vikarna the responsibility to check on Bhima.
Bhima, although had vowed to kill all the 100 Kauravas, didn’t want to fight Vikarna and expressed his desire before him. Bhima knew Vikarna as the man of dharma, and hence his gesture. To this, Vikarna replied to Bhima that despite knowing that Kauravas fate has defeat written over it since Lord Krishna was on the Pandavas side, he couldn’t defy the orders of his brother.
The final statement of Bhima about Vikarna sums up his character: Bhima killed Vikarna in a mace fight, and later lamented, “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.”
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