Karna (Sanskrit: कर्ण written Karṇa in IAST transliteration Tibetan: གསེར་ཁྲབ, Wylie: gser khrab) or Radheya is one of the central characters in the epic Mahābhārata, from ancient India. He was the King of Anga (present day Bhagalpur and Munger). Karna was one of the greatest warriors whose martial exploits are recorded in the Mahābhārata, an admiration expressed by Krishna and Bhishma within the body of this work.
Karna was the son of Surya (a solar deity) and Kunti. He was born to Kunti before her marriage with Pandu. Karna was the closest friend of Duryodhana and fought on his behalf against the Pandavas (his brothers) in the famous Kurukshetra war. Karna fought against misfortune throughout his life and kept his word under all circumstances. Many admire him for his courage and generosity. It is believed that Karna founded the city of Karnal.
Many believe that he was the greatest warrior of Mahabharata since he was only able to be defeated by Arjuna along with a combination of 3 curses, Indra's efforts and Kunti's request.
Read more about Karna: Mahābhārata, Karna's Family, Reasons For Karna's Death, Karna As A Figure of Adulation, Differences and Similarities With Arjuna, Karna Devotion To The Sun and Chhath Puja, Film and Television, Stage Plays