Karna : The Scapegoat Child of Mahabharat

I have always felt deep sympathy for Karna. Every time I hear his story, see an image of him, or watch a depiction of his life, I find myself overwhelmed with emotion. His pain, his struggles, and the injustice he endured bring tears to my eyes, especially in that heart-wrenching moment when he meets his mother, Kunti, for the first and last time. Instead of receiving the love and acceptance he always deserved, he is once again expected to sacrifice.

I do not blame Kunti, she was a great devotee and a mother trapped in circumstances beyond her control. However, as a psychologist, I cannot ignore the profound psychological impact her actions had on Karna. The trauma of abandonment shaped his entire life, influencing his choices, his loyalties, and even his downfall. This article is my attempt to present a psychological analysis of Karna’s suffering, so that people may understand him beyond the simplistic labels of "right" and "wrong."

Scapegoating in Family Dynamics

Scapegoating in families occurs when one individual is unfairly blamed for problems within the family system. This concept, well-documented in psychology, is often found in dysfunctional family structures. It manifests when a parent, due to their own unresolved guilt, shame, or social pressures, shifts blame onto one child while favoring others.

Karna’s story in the Mahabharata is a striking example of this. He was abandoned at birth, ridiculed despite his extraordinary skills, and never acknowledged by his biological mother until it was convenient for her. Understanding Karna’s life through the lens of psychology offers profound insights into how scapegoating impacts an individual’s identity, self-worth, and destiny.

The Psychological Dynamics of Karna’s Scapegoating

1. Kunti’s Repression and Projection

Kunti's greatest secret was giving birth to Karna before marriage, something that was socially unacceptable at the time. Unable to face the consequences, she abandoned him. However, psychological studies show that unresolved guilt does not simply disappear, it often leads to projection, where an individual attributes their own negative emotions onto someone else. Karna became the living reminder of her past "mistake," making him an easy target for rejection and later, manipulation.

2. Social Stigma and Rejection

Karna was not only abandoned but also ridiculed throughout his life for his low birth, despite his exceptional skills as a warrior. The social psychology of stigma suggests that individuals who do not fit societal expectations are often marginalized, regardless of their merit. Kunti, despite being his mother, never publicly acknowledged him, reinforcing the message that he was "less than" his noble brothers.

3. Favoritism and the ‘Golden Child’ Syndrome

In dysfunctional families, scapegoating is often paired with favoritism, where one child is the "golden child" and another is the "problem child." In this case, the Pandavas, particularly Arjuna, were favored by Kunti, while Karna was cast aside. This mirrors real-life family patterns where parents, often unconsciously, elevate one child while burdening another with blame and rejection.

4. Karna’s Psychological Response: The Need for Validation

Children who are scapegoated often grow up with low self-worth and develop a compulsive need to prove their worth to compensate for early rejection. Karna’s unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana, who was the only one to accept and uplift him, can be understood as a psychological response to his lifelong marginalization. The "rejected child" syndrome often leads individuals to form attachments to figures who offer validation, even if those figures are morally ambiguous.

5. The Guilt-Manipulation Cycle

When Kunti finally approached Karna before the war, urging him to switch sides, it was not out of maternal love but to protect the Pandavas. This exemplifies a classic psychological pattern of guilt-based manipulation, where an estranged parent tries to reclaim the child only when it is convenient for them. Karna, despite his resentment, still honored her request not to harm his brothers, demonstrating how deeply the need for parental approval remained ingrained in him.

The Other Side: Kunti’s Emotional Turmoil

While Karna’s pain is undeniable, Kunti’s own psychological struggles must also be considered. She was a young girl burdened with a secret that could have ruined her socially and politically. The fear of disgrace and societal ostracization forced her into an impossible choice. Even after Karna grew up, acknowledging him openly would have disrupted the royal succession and created political chaos.

Kunti’s reluctance to embrace Karna was not necessarily born out of cruelty but from deep-seated fear, guilt, and the pressure to protect her other children. However, this does not change the fact that Karna suffered immensely due to her choices. It serves as a tragic reminder that even well-intentioned actions can have devastating psychological consequences.

Lessons from Karna’s Story

Karna’s life and tragic end illustrate the profound wounds that scapegoating inflicts. He carried the emotional burden of being unwanted, struggled with identity and self-worth, and sought validation in all the wrong places. His story mirrors the struggles of many real-world individuals who are scapegoated in their families, those who spend their lives trying to prove their worth, only to realize too late that the love they seek may never be fully given.

The Mahabharata is not just an ancient epic, it is a timeless study of human psychology, trauma, and the devastating effects of family dysfunction. Karna’s fate urges us to recognize the impact of emotional neglect, the dangers of parental favoritism, and the importance of validating every child’s worth, regardless of societal norms.

For those who have been scapegoated, Karna’s story is both a tragedy and a lesson: True self-worth must come from within, not from those who once rejected us. Breaking free from the cycle of emotional abandonment requires self-acceptance, healing, and the courage to define one’s own destiny.