Karna is one of the most beloved characters of the Mahabharata; the eldest Pandava who craved for legitimacy and respect, the only man who could defeat Arjuna, the good man who pledged unfaltering loyalty to Duryodhana.
- Vrushali: Karna's first wife
Vrushali was the sister of Duryodhana’s charioteer Satyasen. It is belived that Karna's adoptive father Adhiratha wanted Karna to get married to her. Vrushali went sati on Karna's pyre after his death. Duryodhana also mentions that Vrushali was not an ordinary person but of a very high character equivalent to Karna.
- Supriya: Karna's second wife
Karna's second wife's name was Supriya. Nothing much has been talked of Supriya in the great epic apart from the fact that she was a friend of Duryodhana’s wife Bhanumati. Even in the case of Vrushali, very little is known. In the Stree Parva's Jalapradanikaparva, when Gandhari laments the massacre on the battlefield, she devotes four shlokas to one sole woman whom she identifies as Karna's wife, albeit with no name. Gandhari does state the names of the couple's two sons, Vrishasena and Sushena.
1. Vrishasena - Killed by Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war.
Vrishasena was the eldest son of Karna. He had successfully staved off a challenge from Nakula during the Kurukshetra war and even ousted him from his chariot. Nakula then mounted the chariot of Bheema. When he saw Arjuna nearby, he called out to him and urged him to kill Vrishasena. Arjuna then requests Krishna who is his charioteer to go towards Vrishasena. “I will slay him under his father’s gaze”, he says.
Vrishasena was the eldest son of Karna. He had successfully staved off a challenge from Nakula during the Kurukshetra war and even ousted him from his chariot. Nakula then mounted the chariot of Bheema. When he saw Arjuna nearby, he called out to him and urged him to kill Vrishasena. Arjuna then requests Krishna who is his charioteer to go towards Vrishasena. “I will slay him under his father’s gaze”, he says.
Arjuna then proceeds to show why he is regarded as the greatest archer of all times. He shoots ten arrows at Vrishasena weakening him even as his father Karna watched on helplessly. Arjuna fires four razor headed arrows, cutting off Vrishasena’s bow, his tow arms and then his head. Karna weeps aloud when he sees the head of his son severed from the body. He curses Arjuna and challenged him to a battle.
2. Vrishaketu - Killed by Babruvahana.
The only son to survive the Kurukshetra war was Vrishakethu. The Pandavas then took him under their wing. Vrishaketu accompanied Arjuna in his campaigns against Sudhava and Babruvahana. Arjuna and Krishna, both had great affection to Vrishakethu. He is believed to be the last mortal on earth to understand and know the use of Brahmastra, Varunastra and Vayuastra. This knowledge died with him as Krishna ordered him not to reveal it to anyon. Vrishaketu was killed by Babruvahana (Arjuna’s son).
3. Chitrasena - Killed by Nakula during the Kurukshetra war.
4. Satyasena - Killed by Nakula during the Kurukshetra war.
5. Sushena - Killed by Bhema during the Kurukshetra war.
6. Shatrunjaya - Killed by Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war.
7. Dvipata - Killed by Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war.
8. Banasena / Vrasena - Killed by Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war.
9. Prasena / Susarma - Killed by Nakula during the Kurukshetra war.
10. Sudama - Killed by Arjuna during the Swayamvara of Draupadi.
The Mahabharata says Sudama died during the events that followed the Swayamvara of Draupadi. The Swayamvar was erupted due to revolt of kings present for swayamvar, for defense Arjun filled the sky with countless arrows and some of arrows hit sudama. He was around 9 years old at the time.
Shon or Shone is son of Adhiratha and his wife Radha. Shon is believed to be born after Karna's adoption, who became his younger foster brother.
During the Battle at Matsya between the Kauravas and Arjuna, Arjun filled the battlefield with countless arrows. It was a very fierce battled in which Arjun killed many warriors including Karna's brother Shon.
