Karna ... a Ballad

A wretched infant in a casket,

Floating along a mighty river,

Radiant like the sun glowed his face;

His armor and earrings would leave one agape.

Even the divine doth faces the wrath of karma, alas!

A beautiful child abandoned by a mother, who was yet a lass.

Saved by a couple, of humble birth, 

Brought up with all the love abounding this vast earth.

Grew up to be a youth of might, and divine bearing,

Heart wrenchingly handsome and manner imposing.

The kindness of heart he possessed, to go with a generous mien.

Entered a grand arena of valiant youth did he, to prove his might;

Splendorous and invincible in his armor bright.

For his humble origins, he was slighted and shamed;

stood frozen with his head bent, in utter disdain.

The widowed queen Kunti, swooned at his sight, 

As realization dawned that he was her once helpless mite.

Whom she had floated adrift in a casket,

With a hardened heart, utterly helpless.

As he stood humiliated, by self-righteous men;

Stepped in the impudent Duryodhana, to save the distraught stripling.

Crowned him King of Anga, and silenced the hordes,

Proving that even the evilest can possess a heart of gold.

The new king of Anga pledged his allegiance, 

To the one man who showed him exceeding kindness.

Stood with him, through thick and thin, 

And became an accomplice, in his wrongdoings.

He went to Panchala, in search of a bride; 

Only to be snubbed by the beautiful Draupadi, who hurt his pride.

Low born, she called him as he cringed in mortal pain;

Humiliation, by now was his second name.

He lived a life of magnanimity,

He gave away all he had in charity.

Even the armor that clung like skin to his form,

He mindlessly parted with scant regard to life, thereupon.

Abandoned by his mother, cursed by his teacher,

This hero fought a battle valiantly, for his mentor.

Manipulated by gods and men, 

He was left vulnerable to destruction.

With his chariot wheel mired in soil,

This godlike mortal fell a victim; to the arrows of his very sibling.

Running came Kunti, to lament her dead firstborn, 

Whom she in her youth was forced to abandon.

Never acknowledged in life, Karna, the ill-fated one,

Was forever destiny's child, woebegone.

In death, he became the epitome of selflessness and loyalty;

Immortalized for all eternity.