Week 9 Story: Allegiances

SINGLE ACT: KUNTI & KARNA
INT.
In times of strife mankind defines itself; individual’s truest selves emerge to be welcomed or scorned. This is no different than the turmoil Karna felt on the eve of his battle with Arjuna. As Karna steeled himself mentally and physically, preparing for such warring, his mother, Kunti, sought him out in hopes of changing his perspective.
INTERIOR TENT - DIMLY LIT - KRISHNA ENTERS
KRISHNA
Karna, if you accompany me back to the Pandava camp and we speak to the brothers together they’ll surely not find you wanting. They simply don’t understand your role in all of this; if you explain they’ll yield to you.
KARNA
I cannot simply abandon those who rely upon my words out of some thin hope for reconciliation with those who neither want nor seek reconciliation. Leaving Duryodhana now would end our counsel and our friendship.
KRISHNA
Not at all, these are wise men - even if tempers are high and the Pandavas are full of vitriol they’ll be made to understand. Karna..
KARNA
Enough, what you speak of is desertion, it’s folly, it’s weak. There is no sense in my abandoning my role here for the potential of a lesser post in a weaker, unformed empire.
KRISHNA
They’ll make you king if they learn of your lineage.
KARNA
Even if they yield to me, even if they cede the throne to me, history will remember me as a lesser Arjuna. I’ll go down in the annals of time as a pretender. The records of me will not show this; I will meet Arjuna on the field and our clash will display some level of providence. Our struggle will establish dominance, it will be decided who is stronger, neither will yield. Now, Krishna, our time together must come to an end. If we’re lucky we’ll meet again soon - our forms may be earthly or celestial, but regardless we shall meet again soon.
KRISHNA
Truly, Karna, you’re stronger than what is known and stronger than what will be remembered.
The two embrace, their respect for each other is obvious, but they cannot remain together as this struggle does indeed drive a wedge between even friends


Author's Note:
I set out to write this specific exchange because I think this episode of the Mahabharata is amazing. The dialogue between Krishna and Karna is easily one of the more powerful moments in this epic, as we see both men so entirely vulnerable. They're explaining in as many words their need to be recognized, but this need for recognition and love drives a wedge. We see Krishna appeal to Karna in an attempt to prevent the battle between him and Arjuna, as it would be such a senseless loss of greatness if even one of them were to fall, but because of that respective greatness Karna feels he must go to war, if for nothing else than to prove himself. The fear of being in Arjun's shadow beats his risk of death and so he goes to war. I expanded this conversation some from the original telling and hopefully it communicates effectively how important this exchange is to the unfolding of the epic.

Bibliography:
Mahabharata
Photo Source:
Krishna & Karna