कर्ण का आत्मकथा

by Manu Sharma

यही तो विडंबना है कि तू सूर्यपुत्र होकर भी स्वयं को सूतपुत्र समझता है; राधेय समझता है; किंतु तू है वास्तव में कौंतेय। तेरी मां कुंती है।'' इतना कहकर वह रहस्यमय हंसी हंसने लगा। थोड़ी देर बाद उसने कुछ संकेतों और कुछ शब्दों के माध्यम से मेरे जन्म की कथा बताई।''मुझे विश्वास नहीं होता; माधव!'' मैंने कहा। ''मैं समझ रहा था कि तुम विश्वास नहीं कसेगे। किंतु यह भलीभाति जानी कि कृष्ण राजनीतिक हो सकता है; पर अविश्वस्त नहीं। ''उसने अपनी मायत्वी हँसी में घोलकर एक रहस्यमय पहेली मुझे पिलानी चाही; चो सरलता से मेरे गले के नीचे उतर नहीं रही थी। वह अपने प्रभावी स्वर में बोलता गया; ''तुम कुंतीपुत्र हो। यह उतना ही सत्य है जितना यह कहना कि इस समय दिन है; जितना यह कहना कि मनुष्य मरणधर्मा है; जितना यह कह&

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2016

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karn ki Atmkatha (Kiindle Edition) by Manu Sharma- Chapter 1- The book begins when Karn name (Vasushen) is 8 or 9-year-old. She lives with Adhirath and Radha in a village near Hastinapur. The village stands on the bank of river Ganga. There is a large Sun Tempe on the bank of Ganga. During rains, river water level rises and enters the temple. It is rainy season. Karn with his bow and arrow & his friend Mala move towards Ganga. River is in spate. Carcass of animals and live animals are flowing in the river. Karn aims at a live bull. From behind he hears a voice instructing him that “Great archers do not aim at animals flowing in the river because the animal is near death. Second, that “if someone had aimed likewise, Vasushen would not be alive.” The two children are surprised. They attempt to trace the person who advised them. They find that an old man white hair is standing there and suddenly he is gone. They move towards the temple and pray to Sun God. Sun God blesses them. He says that Karn- Vasushen is his son and he should always follow the rules. Second, he says that soon heavy rain will begin to fall so they must return to their houses.” Children obey and find that by the time they reach home, rain has started. Karn questions his mother that Sun God appeared before him in the Sun temple and informed that he is his father. Then who is Adhirath. How is it that he has two fathers?” Radha diverts that Adhirath will respond. Next day morning, Karn wants to visit the Sun temple again. He finds that Mala is more understanding than him about questions on human life- father, mother, male, female, society. He takes Mala with him. They reach the Sun temple. Mala’s small boat has overturned and has stuck with a fallen tree in river ganga near Sun temple. Adhirath and Mala’s mother Maghi were trying to free the upturned boat from the branches of the tree. They were talking that “Adhirath does not have a child. When Radha found an open wooden box floating in ganga river. Adhirath-Radha collected the box. A male child was in the box. He was wearing golden ear rings. They accepted the child a gift from Sun God. They named him Vasushen.” The child cried of hunger. Radha sucked him; milk naturally came from her body. Adhirath said that since the gods has created a doubt in the mind of Vasushen, they have to tell a lie to Vasushen all their lives. Vasushen was a sensitive child. Now, he was aware that except him the whole village know that Vasushen was only brought up by Radha and Adhirath. He was not their natural sibling. Adhirath and Radha loved Vasushen like their natural sibling but Vasushen knew the truth that his natural parents were not known to anyone, He became stubborn in nature. Vasushen returned home tired and slept on a cot. His family members were tracing him in the forest. Mala informed Radha that Vasushen is at home. They returned hom, found Vasushen and loved him. Adhirath enquired from Vasushen where he was? Vasushen replied that he had heard what Adhirath said before Sun God. Chapter 2- In the Mahabharata period, teachers lived in Ashrams, studied scriptures, law, medicine, use of arms, war and other subjects and provided education to young men. Sandipani ashram was at Ujjaini. Acharya Kaushik had an ashram near Hastinapur. Normally, 100 Kauravas children should have been sent to Kaushik Ashram for education but in Hastinapur, Shakuni dictated terms. He said that his nephews will not attend any ashram but a capable teacher should be searched who will stay in the Hastinapur palace and teach his nephews. Acharya Kaushik rode the chariot of Adhirath. Here Adhirath informed him about the birth of Vasushen. Kaushik said that he will visit his village and his residence, the next day. Radha cleaned and organised her house. Acharya visited the village and the residence of Adhirath. He said that Vasushen can have two names- son of Ganga or son of Radha. To this all replied that Bhishma was named as Gangeya. Thus, Vasushen was named as Radheya from that day. The Book shows that a Brahmins were at the top of the society. Mistakes by their children were ignored. Killing a brahmin who had committed grave crimes was never thought of at the society level. One Brahim boy Mahesh was had been caught by a snake. He shouted for help. Radheya heard and helped him. The moment the snake left Mahesh, he ran away and said that he has saved Radheya from the snake. Here Radheya killed the snake. Others boys and his mother came, threw the dead snake in river ganga, took a bath and returned home. Chapter 3-

Chapter 3- Radha informed Radheya that those persons who are cursed by saints and others are born as snakes or dragons or pythons and they can be freed of the curse by killing them. Thus, by killing large snake which was a python, Radheya has d done service to him. People informed that the wooden casket in which Radheya lay, stopped and came towards the sand near the Sun Temple. This python had covered the casket. He protected the child. The Sun Temple was deserted because of the python. Now, Sun Puja was organised by all villagers. Radheya was chosen as chief to perform puja. Brahmin community opposed that Radheya should not perform puja, a Brahmin should do this instead of him. Adhirath agreed. Radheya was angry and he left the place. Next day, body of a fainted young man was moving in ganga. Radheya pulled the boy and brought him home. His mother provided heat to him by lighting a fire, a medical doctor was called who witnessed the symptoms and said that the child has been poisoned. The child was taken to his clinic and cured. Soon Adhirath came and said that the child is Bhim, second Pandavas. He was taken by Duryodhana to the forest and a poisoned sweet was provided to him, when he fainted, he was thrown in ganga to drown and die. But Radheya saw him in river Ganga has saved him. Chapter 4- Bhim had invited Radheya to visit him at Hastinapur. One day he travelled with his father to Hastinapur palace. He informed the guard that Bhim had invited him to visit him. The palace guard stopped him, but he replied that as Bhim had invited him, please let him enter. He entered the inner residential portion. He met Kunti who loved him when she saw natural earrings on his body. She recognised Radheya. When Bhim cam, he said that though Radheya had saved his life, but he never invited him to the residential portion. He must leave. Next day, Adhirath said that Radheya was invited to another portion of the palace by Duryodhana. One day, he thought but next day, he went to meet Duryodhana. Shakuni and Suvercha fortune teller. Suvarcha saw Radheya’s palms and said that he had the best sun line on his palm. Duryodhana said that he also had a similar line. Suvarcha said that Such clear stroing line depicts that he belongs of either Rishi or King clan. He enquired whether Radheya could tell him the date and time of his birth. Radheya said that he had no idea. Suvercha said that villagers and city girls went to nearby Ashrams for sex, thus, no one except her mother could tell the correct time of birth. Just then, Kunti entered the room. She touched Radheya’s head as blessing. She heard them talk but did not interfere. The meeting was closed. Duryodhana and Radheya walked in the garden. He told Radheya about Kunti, Bhim and Arjun. Chapter 5- One day a tiger entered the Ashram of Acharya Kaushik. Radheya was there with his bow and arrow and he killed the tiger. Acharya Kaushik proposed the Radheya can join his Ashram and learn by hearing from teachers, help students and participate in all activities. One day while he was sitting on the banks of river Ganga near the Sun Temple, a saint came swimming and said that he will get a Guru. Radheya learnt for some time at the Ashram. He was helped by Suvarti, a resident of the Ashram. Radheya planned to visit Mahendra Parvat where Parashuram lived . Radheya reached Mahendra Parvat. Chapter 6- Radheya travels and reaches the foot of Mahendra Parvat. This is a village near Gangi. As Brahmachari’s do not enter a village, Radheya stayed in a Shiv Temple outside the village. Village head and other villagers fed him. He also visited the village for food and returned. One day while he was sleeping, a snake raised his hood to protect him. A bird flew over the snake and hit the snake on his head. The snake travelled towards the feet of Radheya and entered the forest. All this was viewed by the village people and by a Mantrik. The mantrik prophesied that Radheya will become a King, a lady will be the cause of disaster in his life. Mantrik requested to promise before the Sun God that once he is King, he will not refuse any Brahmin who requests for a gift. Radheya promised that he will follow the promise. Next day, Radheyamoved towards Mahendra Parvat. He met disciples of Parashuram. When Chapter 6- Radheya travels and reaches the foot of Mahendra Parvat. This is a village near Gangi. As Brahmachari’s do not enter a village, Radheya stayed in a Shiv Temple outside the village. Village head and other villagers fed him. He also visited the village for food and returned. One day while he was sleeping, a snake raised his hood to protect him. A bird flew over the snake and hit the snake on his head. The snake travelled towards the feet of Radheya and entered the forest. All this was viewed the village people and by a Mantrik. The mantrik prophesied that Radheya will become a King, a lady will be the cause of disaster in his life. Mantrik requested to promise before the Sun God that once he is King, he will not refuse any Brahmin who requests for a gift. Radheya promised. Next day, Radheya moved towards Mahendra Parvat. He met disciples of Parashuram. He was taken in front of Parashurum. Chapter 6- Radheya travels and reaches the foot of Mahendra Parvat. This is a village near Gangi. As Brahmachari’s do not enter a village, Radheya stayed in a Shiv Temple outside the village. Village head and other villagers fed him. He also visited the village for food and returned. One day while he was sleeping, a snake raised his hood to protect him. A bird flew over the snake and hit the snake on his head. The snake travelled towards the feet of Radheya and entered the forest. All this was viewed the village people and by a Mantrik. The mantrik prophesied that Radheya will become a King, a lady will be the cause of disaster in his life. Mantrik requested to promise before the Sun God that once he is King, he will not refuse any Brahmin who requests for a gift. Radheya promised. Next day, Radhey amoved towards Mahendra Parvat. He met desciples of Parashuram. Chapter 6- Radheya travels and reaches the foot of Mahendra Parvat. This is a village near Gangi. As Brahmachari’s do not enter a village, Radheya stayed in a Shiv Temple outside the village. Village head and other villagers fed him. He also visited the village for food and returned. One day while he was sleeping, a snake raised his hood to protect him. A bird flew over the snake and hit the snake on his head. The snake travelled towards the feet of Radheya and entered the forest. All this was viewed by the village people and by a Mantrik. The mantrik prophesied that Radheya will become a King, a lady will be the cause of disaster in his life. Mantrik requested to promise before the Sun God that once he is King, he will not refuse any Brahmin who requests for a gift. Radheya promised that he will follow the promise. Next day, Radheyamoved towards Mahendra Parvat. He met disciples of Parashuram. When Chapter 6- Radheya travels and reaches the foot of Mahendra Parvat. This is a village near Gangi. As Brahmachari’s do not enter a village, Radheya stayed in a Shiv Temple outside the village. Village head and other villagers fed him. He also visited the village for food and returned. One day while he was sleeping, a snake raised his hood to protect him. A bird flew over the snake and hit the snake on his head. The snake travelled towards the feet of Radheya and entered the forest. All this was viewed the village people and by a Mantrik. The mantrik prophesied that Radheya will become a King, a lady will be the cause of disaster in his life. Mantrik requested to promise before the Sun God that once he is King, he will not refuse any Brahmin who requests for a gift. Radheya promised. Next day, Radheya moved towards Mahendra Parvat. He met disciples of Parashuram. He was taken in front of Parashurum. Chapter 6- Radheya travels and reaches the foot of Mahendra Parvat. This is a village near Gangi. As Brahmachari’s do not enter a village, Radheya stayed in a Shiv Temple outside the village. Village head and other villagers fed him. He also visited the village for food and returned. One day while he was sleeping, a snake raised his hood to protect him. A bird flew over the snake and hit the snake on his head. The snake travelled towards the feet of Radheya and entered the forest. All this was viewed the village people and by a Mantrik. The mantrik prophesied that Radheya will become a King, a lady will be the cause of disaster in his life. Mantrik requested to promise before the Sun God that once he is King, he will not refuse any Brahmin who requests for a gift. Radheya promised. Next day, Radheyamoved towards Mahendra Parvat. He met desciples of Parashuram.Radheya was taken before Parashuram. Parashuram saw his earrings. Radheya felt giddy when he approached him. Parashuram directed that Radheya may be allowed to rest in a hut. Next day, they were together. Parashuram questioned him to satisfy that he was a Brahmin. Radheya was able to satisfy him. Radheya was quite frank in replying to his questions. Since a long time, Parashuram had not taken any disciple for training in arms and ammunitions. He only trained students in scriptures. But for Radheya he trained him. First training was fitness. Second, fight while hiding so that the enemy is unable to view the assailant. Third, aiming at a target with use of bow and arrow based on noise- noise of animals drinking water from a river or a pond of water. Third, war with Rakshasas by use of animal fat on the head of the arrow. Last was use of Brahmastra- celestial weapon. During this period, by his mistake, he killed a cow. A brahmin who owned the cow saw his golden earrings and thought that he was a King dressed as a Brahmin. He cursed him that at the time you will need your chariot, you will find that the wheels of the chariot are stuck in mud and you will be killed. A few days later, he found that Parashuram was ill. He asked his guru to lie down. He pressed his forehead slowly. Parashuram fell asleep. Just then an large ant bit him and entered his thigh. Radheya did not shout or move. When Parashuram woke up , he saw the situation. He said that when an ant bites a Brahmin, he is unable to tolerate. Thus, you are not a brahmin. I curse you that you will forget the use of Brahmastra- celestial weapon when you requ

[Madan Suvedi · Rating 3 out of 5]

मन्त्र साधना, तन्त्र सिद्धि, आध्यात्मिक जागरण, आत्म विकास, प्रोफेशनल डेभलपमेन्ट या जो कुछ भी कहें इसके लिए निरन्तर अभ्यास, अध्ययन और अनुसन्धान वांछनीय है । अगर आप निश्चित विधाको लेकर अध्ययन करते हैं तो आपके चुने हुए पुस्तक से आपकी चेतनाक��� स्तर एक सींढी उपर चढनी चाहिए, ऐसी मेरी मान्यता है । मगर हमेशा ऐसा नहीं होता । इस दौरान धार्मिक आख्यान की पंक्ति में मनु शर्मा की 'कर्ण की आत्मकथा' पढ्ने का सौभाग्य मिला ।
जैसा कि मैने कहा, पुस्तक हो या फिल्म, हमेशा आपकी आकांक्षा पे खरे नहीं उतरते । महाभारत के उपर बहुत सी कथायें और उपकथायें लिखी गयी हैं मगर इसके पात्रों के इर्दगिर्द कुछ चुनिंदा रचनायें ही उपलब्ध हैं । मैने जिस अपेक्षा के साथ कर्ण की आत्मकथा पढ्ना शुरु किया था कि इस पुस्तक से कर्ण के बारे में कुछ अनकही अनसुनी बातें पढ्ने को मिलेगी या ज्ञान की श्रीवृद्धि होगी । मगर ऐसा कुछ नहीं हुआ । कुल २३२ पृष्ठ की इस किताब से कर्ण का सही चरित्र चित्रण नहीं हुआ । किताब कथनात्मक शैली में सिर्फ सस्ती, निम्नकोटी की संवादों से भरी पडी है । अच्छी लेखन शैली कथनात्मक से ज्यादा वर्णनात्मक होनी चाहिए । दोहरे तिहरे संवाद या सम्भाषण तो नाटक विधाके गुण हैं, उपन्यासके नहीं । मैने पढा तो पूरा इतमिनान से पर मुझे पुस्तक की कुल १६ च्याप्टर्स में से अन्तिम २ च्याप्टर्स ही पठनीय और मननीय लगे ।
हम सब जानते हैं कि महाभारत में कर्ण एक रौद्रवीर नायक है जो अपने जन्मको लेकर हमेशा उपेक्षित रहता है । वो सच्ची मित्रता और दान की बेमिशाल प्रतिमूर्ति है । दानवीर कर्ण । इस पुस्तक ने कर्णका इस कदर समर्थन बिल्कुल नहीं किया है । क्या १०-१२ साल का बच्चा अपने माँ बापको नाम से पुकारेगा ? भले ही वे जन्मदाता न हों । कौन सी ऐसी पुस्तक होगी इसके सिवाय जो द्रौपदी के चीरहरण को कृष्ण की लीला से अलग रखे ? मनु शर्मा ने कर्णको सिर्फ एक घमण्डी और प्रतिशोधी पात्रके रुपमें अतिरंजित किया है । ऐसी अनगिनत खामियाँ हैं । सारांश में ये कहना चाहुंगा कि कर्ण की आत्मकथा एक धार्मिक, आध्यात्मिक चिंतन न होकर महज एक कमर्शियल प्रडक्ट मे सीमित रचना है । इस पुस्तक को पढने के बाद लेखक की ऐसी ही अन्य पुस्तकें जैसे कृष्ण की आत्मकथा, द्रौपदी की आत्मकथा, गान्धारी की आत्मकथा पढने की ख्वाहिश नहीं होगी ।
मुझे ऐसा लगता है कि महाभारतका वैज्ञानिक विश्लेषण और इसके पात्रों का सटीक चरित्र चित्रण, विशेषकर, कर्ण और कृष्णका, भारतीय लेखक गुरचरन दास ने अपनी पुस्तक 'अच्छाई की कठिनाई' में बेहतरीन ढंग से की है । इसके अलावा, दो छोटी सी परन्तु बहुत ही प्रभावशाली नेपाली पुस्तक हैं राजेश्वर देवकोटा की 'द्वन्दको अवसान' और विपि कोइराला की 'मोदिआईन' । इस में कोई संदेह नहीं कि कर्ण की आत्मकथाका स्तर इन तीनों के बाद आएगा । ये पुस्तक उनके लिए अच्छी रहेगी जिन्होंने महाभारत या कर्ण के बारे में कभी नहीं पढासुना है या फिर वो बच्चे जो छोटे छोटे डायलाग वाली पुस्तकें पढ्ना चाहते हैं । अनुभवी और वयस्क पाठकों को तो ये पुस्तक ना ना कहना चाहुंगा । याद रखिए, लाईफ इज टू शर्ट टु रीड एभ्रिथिंग ।

[Sudhanshu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little disappointed

The life of karna before the beginning of the war was explained in an incomparable way.but mid Mahabharat war explanation was very very short.Since Karna died at the dust of the war so there must me explanation of mid what time in a greater depth.

[Imtiyaz Saiyed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is content is all time best content ewer see

[Khushboo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read

Must Read
This book is Awesome.
Mujhe ye book itni acchi lagi ki maine 2 din me ise padh dala

[Dhruv Kumar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good

[Dhruv Kumar]

Good

[Om Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book review: कर्ण की आत्मकथा
There's always two sides of a coin

- someone.


The deepest secret lies within us. We show the world which is seldom has any importance to us. The knowledge itself doesn't make a mam wise these other side of the story is interesting to know the truth we failed to acknowledge. The mien born as an unwanted child just to do the POC of the boon her mother got and later to become the greatest warrior of his time. His anter was apparent to the society, the mother whom he never knew, and the life he was was forced to live where he could have enjoyed the luxuries like his brothers(well almost). This books tells about what has happened to karna all the time while these guys were playing the political games in hastinapur, what was going in his young mind and how the world is treating him with suffering and humiliation from the caste based socitey it has become. it cerTainly provides some untold stories about karna life and also his dilemma of the whole war. unfortunately he find himself tied with the crooked plans of shakuni and how he really despised the games people played. in the end I think he himslef become quite contempt with what he got and ultimately realised it's better to leave this unfortunate world fighting instead becoming a more surviving and getting again into the world's politics, whatever his reason it was he surely jad played his crucial role in mahabharata, and challenged almost at points the authority of everyone. I personally feel the book can be written in more impressive way and a way lot interesting, at points the narration and the story fails to bring the charisma of his personality and simply fails, there are more stories of karna can be added.after the second half the book started to feel like the crooked shakuni book and seriously all his plans made to look stupid I am not sure if they were in genuine but a lot of unnecessary discussion around those took the energy away. The book still tries to show the emotions of the king and warrior who was born king but humiliated by socitey and his teachers for his caste. It's a good writing and can be read once. Alot of unknown facts are also well knitted together.

[Samendra Shukla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an excellent read, it not only gives the pulse of what 'Radhey' thinks and feels but also give the buildup of Mahabharat. The political interference with education (which was earlier autonomous) is evident at that time. His views about 'Madhav' forces us to think deeply about Krishna. Greatness is art of dealing disdain with humility and discretion.

‘अभयं मित्रात् अभयं अमित्रात्
ज्ञातात् अभयं अभयं पुरोयः
अभयं नक्तम् अभयं दिवानः सर्वे
आशां मम मित्रं भवन्तु।’

[Sarsij Nayanam · Rating 4 out of 5]

महाभारत के कर्ण की कहानी कर्ण की जुबानी

महाभारत के कर्ण की कहानी कर्ण की जुबानी पढ़ने का शायद और कोई जरिया नहीं है, इस हिसाब से यह पुस्तक एक बेहतरीन प्रयास है और इसीलिए इस पुस्तक की प्रसंशा जितनी भी की जाय कम है। पुस्तक में वर्णित कितने हीं प्रसंग ऐसे हैं जिनको पढ़ने के बाद मन में लालसा रह जाती है कि - काश थोड़ा और विस्तार से लिखा होता!