Karna
/ˈkɑːr.nə/noun
A central warrior and tragic hero in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, famed for his generosity, loyalty, and divine birth.
Did you know?In the Mahabharata, Karna is born wearing natural golden armor and earrings, symbols of divine protection that make his name’s “ear” association especially striking.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱerh₂-
“A reconstructed root associated with horn, head, or projecting parts.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
karṇa
“Ear; also something ear-shaped or projecting.”
Epic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Karṇa
“The personal name of the Mahabharata hero, traditionally linked to his miraculous earrings.”
Ancient India
Sanskrit
Mahābhārata
“The epic narrative in which Karna appears as a major warrior, rival, and tragic figure.”
Modern English
English
Karna
“An established English rendering of the Sanskrit proper name, used in translations and scholarship on Hindu mythology.”
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