The Symbolism Behind Krishna’s Request for Karna’s Teeth on the Battlefield

Did you know that Krishna asked Karna to give his entire set of teeth on the battlefield of Kurukshetra? Those familiar with the Mahabharata may recall that when Karna’s chariot got stuck in the mud and he stepped down to retrieve its trapped wheel, Krishna intended for him to be killed at that very moment. According to the rules of warfare, it was forbidden to kill an unarmed warrior. The battle had to pause while the warrior was unarmed and could only resume once they were ready for combat.

Arjuna, fully aware of these principles, was initially reluctant to draw his bow. Despite being a flawless Kshatriya and a disciplined warrior, he hesitated to attack an unarmed opponent. However, in the end, he had to obey Krishna, his mentor. In the tradition of unquestioning loyalty to a guru’s advice, Arjuna, with a heavy heart, released his arrow and killed Karna while he was still struggling with his chariot.

But the question remains: why did Krishna instruct Arjuna to kill Karna deceitfully, and why did he ask for Karna’s entire set of teeth as Karna lay dying on the battlefield? What was the purpose behind this act?

In this blog, we will explore the deeper meanings hidden in the texts of the epic Mahabharata, revealing some surprising and lesser-known truths, along with intriguing backstories behind certain actions. But before we dive into the reasons and facts behind these events, let’s first look at the background of Karna’s fateful battle with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

Source: Disney+Hotstar | Karna

The Mahabharata

The Mahabharata, one of the greatest epics in world literature, is an ancient Indian text that conveys a wide range of philosophical, ethical, and social teachings. Central to the story is the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas — two branches of the Kuru dynasty — culminating in the great war on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The text, attributed to the sage Vyasa, spans generations of conflict, sacrifice, and moral dilemmas, with the Kurukshetra War becoming the ultimate test of dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness).

The Pandavas, the five sons of King Pandu — Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva — were rightful heirs to the throne of Hastinapura. However, their cousins, the Kauravas, led by the eldest Duryodhana, refused to grant them even a portion of the kingdom. This refusal, born from jealousy and desire, led to an escalating series of events that forced the Pandavas into exile. Even after serving their time in the wilderness, the Kauravas denied them any share of the kingdom, leading to the war as the last recourse to settle the dispute.

The Kurukshetra War: A Test of Dharma

The war was not simply about a fight for the kingdom. It was deeply tied to the cosmic order of dharma and justice. Both sides were filled with some of the greatest warriors of the time, including Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Karna for the Kauravas, and Arjuna, Bhima, and Krishna, who acted as Arjuna’s charioteer, for the Pandavas.

Before the war, Krishna, knowing that war was inevitable, made one last attempt to broker peace, but Duryodhana remained adamant. Consequently, Krishna gave his divine support to the Pandavas, promising that he would not take up arms but would assist them with his wisdom. The war, which lasted for 18 days, was filled with moral complexities, with both sides using strategies that blurred the lines of fair play.

One of the most poignant moments in the war was the encounter between Karna and Arjuna, two of the most formidable warriors on either side, whose destinies were intertwined in a complex web of fate, rivalry, and kinship.

The Tragic Hero Karna

Karna is perhaps one of the most tragic figures in the Mahabharata. Born to Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, before her marriage, Karna was abandoned at birth and raised by a low-caste charioteer, Adhiratha, and his wife, Radha. Despite his royal lineage as the son of Surya, the Sun God, Karna was deprived of his rightful status as a Kshatriya (warrior class) and lived his life struggling against social injustice.

His fate was intertwined with that of the Kauravas when Duryodhana, recognizing his prowess and warrior spirit, made Karna the king of Anga and one of his closest allies. Throughout the epic, Karna remains fiercely loyal to Duryodhana, even when it becomes clear that the Kauravas are on the path of adharma. His sense of gratitude and loyalty, combined with his desire to prove himself as a great warrior, led him to oppose his own brothers in the battle.

Karna was known for his unwavering generosity and was often called “Daanveer” (the great giver). He had a powerful weapon in the form of his kavacha (armor) and kundala (earrings), which made him virtually invincible. However, during the course of the war, Indra, the king of the gods and father of Arjuna, disguised himself as a poor Brahmin and asked for these items in charity.

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