If a brief list of the qualities that define the Duryodhana-Karna relationship is made, its contents will reveal the following.

From beginning to end, it is a friendship of unequals, which clearly negates the very definition of friendship. Cynical self-interest, politics, and utilitarianism are the riveted anchors of Duryodhana’s friendship with Karna. In Duryodhana’s eyes, Karna’s status is slightly higher than that of a human weapon. In fact, Veda Vyasa, in a pithy verse, declares Duryodhana’s guilt-free political deployment of Karna in their maiden meeting in the Astrapradarśana (competition of arms) episode.

duryodhanasyāpi tadā karṇamāsādya pārthiva |

bhayamarjunasanjātaṃ kṣipramantaradhīyata ||

Duryodhana, who found Karna, was freed from his fear of Arjuna.

This verse is akin to an aphorism or a preface to the entire trajectory of their relationship. Among other things, haughtiness, impudence, impropriety, entitled behaviour, and an exaggerated display of self-importance are traits common to both Duryodhana and Karna.

Karna reveals his sense of entitlement and impropriety when he barges into the Astrapradarśana pavilion, uninvited. He is a brash intruder at an event in which he should have ideally been a spectator. This is akin to a random postgraduate gatecrashing into a 12th-class examination hall and challenging the students out there that he’s better than them. Naturally, the elders of the Kuru clan react to Karna’s impudent behaviour exactly as the Examiner........

© News18