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Other names- Vasusena, Radheya, Karan

Karna was the son of Surya Dev (Sun God) born to Kunti. Sage Durvasa gave Kunti a mantra (secret word) with the help of which she called Surya Dev and gave birth to Karna before her marriage. Due to regards for public opinion, Kunti let the child Karna be borne down by the river. The child was picked up by King Dhritarashtra's charioteer, Adhiratha who was a Sut-putra (low caste). Karna was raised by him and his wife Radha as their own son and they named the child Vasusena. Karna also came to be known as Radheya - son of Radha (His foster mother). As he was brought up by these low caste parents, Karna is also known as Sut-Putra.

Karna had learnt archery from Dronacharya but being a carpenter’s son, Dronacharya did not teach him the use of Brahmastra (the most powerful weapon). Karna went to Parshurama to learn this by lying to him that he was a Brahmin. When Parshuram came to know the truth, Parshuram was angry that he was deceived to accept a low caste fellow as his disciple. Therefore, he cursed Karna saying: "O Karna, even though you are great in bravery, art of archery, and in service to me, still as you have deceived your Guru, I send a curse to you that at a crucial time on the battle-field the wheels of your chariot will get stuck in the earth. The consequences would be grave."

Karna is famous for his valour, knowledge of archery and being a generous person. Hence he is still known as “Daan Veer Karna”. Karna was a suitor for Draupadi at her Swayamvar. Unlike most other contenders, he was easily able to wield and string the bow, but as he was ready to set aim, on Krishna's gesture, Draupadi restrained him from shooting the arrow by calling him a soot-putra (son of a charioteer). The Pandavas were also present in the Swayamvar, disguised as Brahmanas. Following the failure of the other princes, Arjun stepped into the ring and successfully tackled the target, winning Draupadi's hand. When Arjun's identity was later revealed, Karna's feelings of rivalry further intensified.

When Karna could not take part in the exhibition of archery for not being a King or a prince, Duryodhan made him chief of Angdesh and gave him the status of a King. Since then, Karna and Duryodhan became close friends. For the sake of his friendship with Duryodhan, Karna always stood by him and took part in the war of Mahabharata from side of the Kauravas.

Karna was born with a divine amulet and earrings. Indra tried to ask for this amulet and earrings from Karna by fraud. Even though Karna knew about the fraud, he gave away both the things to Indra. This shows how generous Karna was.

Kunti, fearing the war, approached Karna and revealed her identity as his mother to him. The two share a touching moment together, when she tells him to throw aside the name 'Radheya' and call himself 'Kaunteya' (son of Kunti) instead, and he replies that is what he has wanted all his life. Upon her requesting him to come with her on the side of the Pandavas however, a request that Surya himself reinforces from the sky, Karna refuses. He tells Kunti that had she been willing to call him Kaunteya many years ago when he appeared at the tournament things might have been different, but now it is too late. He is Duryodhan's friend first and foremost, and must fight the Pandavas. However, he promises her that he will not kill any of the five, save Arjun. He and Arjun have sworn to kill each other, and one of them must die. He tells Kunti she can only dream of five sons. She will always have five sons, the fifth being either him or Arjun.

Karna requests his mother to keep their relationship and his royal birth heritage a secret until his death. Only then she may reveal to the world that he was actually her first born.

Just for the sake of his friendship with Duryodhan, he fought from the side of the Kauravas. During the last few days of Mahabharata, Karna became the commander of Kauravas’ army. Arjun and Karna were staunch rivals and Arjun knew that if there was someone who could match his skills of archery, it was Karna. Karna was killed by Arjun during the war when the wheels of his chariot got stuck due to the curse of Parshuram.

Karna is a very important character in the story of Mahabharata. He was brave, kind hearted, loyal and charitable person. Due to the circumstances of his birth, he was always placed in a position of inferiority and suffered as a result of that. He is definitely one of the greatest heroes of the Mahabharata.