Part 2.6 - Biography of Karna (A.D.1065-1093)

[Full title: History of Chaulukyas (6) Karna [V.S.1122-1150] (A.D.1065-1093)]

Karna, the youngest son of Bhima, ascended the throne some time in A.D.1065-6. His mother was Udayamati. Hemacandra states as usual that Bhima abdicated and placed Karna on the throne; but, we need not take his statement seriously as he makes the same uncorroborated statement about all the Caulukya kings except Siddharaja. Hemacandra further adds that immediately after Bhima's death his only other surviving son, Ksemaraja, retired from public to Dadhisthali

A 46 whither Karna sent the former's son Devaprasada, to look after his father, but this was done probably to get rid of the two possible pretenders to the throne.90 In any case, this narrative of Hemacandra leads one to suspect that the indication is that the legitimate son Karna, forcibly occupied the throne and banished his step-brother and nephew after Bhima's death. This would explain the hatred shown by Siddharaja Jayasimha, son of Karna, towards Kumarapala, the great grandson of Ksemaraja. Hemacandra records no other incidents in Karna's life except his marriage to a Kadamba princess under romantic circumstances, and Karna's prayer to the Goddess Laksmi for the birth of a son. Indeed from the Dvyasraya written by his son's court-poet, one is led to believe that Karna's reign was a peaceful interregnum between those of his father and son. This may have been the effect intended by Hemacandra in order that the heroic deeds of his first patron, Jayasimha might stand out in greater relief. Probably partiality for the same king led Hemacandra to remain silent over the activities of Bhima and Karna in Malava, so that the whole credit for conquering the Paramaras might be reserved for Jayasimha. But from the testimony of other Chroniclers, and the records left by other dynasties, it is known that the picture left by Hemacandra is by no means the correct one. As a matter of fact though less successful, Karna was as aggressive as was either his father or son. 91

47 Like his father, Karna was also a builder. According to Merutunga after defeating Asa in Asapalli he built a temple. He also laid out a new city called Karnavati, where he erected a big temple called Karnesvara and 92 excavated a large tank called Karnasagara. In Anahilapataka he built the temple of Karnameru. According to Forbes the river Rupin, flowing down from the hills beyond Kheraloo, was arrested in its course towards the Runn and compelled to relinquish its natural outlet and to empty its waters into Karnasagara; the dam broke down in A.D.1814 after a heavy rain.93 Like his ancestors Karna was a Saiva, and maintained a friendly respect for the Jainas. The commentator Rajasekhara (A.D.1424) in his Panjika on Sridhara's Nyayakandali mentions that king Karna of Gujarat, perceiving the holy dislike of cleanliness of the celebrated Jaina monk Abhayadeva Suri conferred on him the Biruda of Maladhari. The same Rajasekhara informs us that Khengara was at that time the ruler of Saurastra, and that at the instance of Abhayadeva Suri, he made the deserted path to the shrine of Girnar full of the traffic of pilgrims again; that is, he induced Khengara to lesson or remit altogether the tax levied on pilgrims. 94 Peterson mentions a tradition according to which Karna became a disciple of Vardhmana Suri whose disciple Jinesvara won the debate at the court of Durlabha. But this statement must be wrong as we know that Vardhamana Suri consecrated Vimala's temple and shortly afterwards starved himself to death, 95 Karna was famous for his good looks; an inscription of Kumarapala refers to him as 'Rupasrijita-Manmatha', while an inscription of Bhima II

48 describes him as Kamini-kandarpa 96 Balacandra Suri describes his attractive and beautiful form like thus: "Having seen his attractive beautiful form, capable of deluding any woman, lord Siva began to suspect the fidelity of his wife Uma and so ran to the peak of Kailasa mountain to dissolve her in his own body".97 According to Hammira-Mahakʊya Karna was killed in a battle by Cahamana Durlbharaja, but we have seen that according to Prthvirajavijaya Karna survived Durlabharaja. Karna's reign probably came to an end in V.S.1150. (A.D.1093) 98