Rashmirathi (Rashmi: Light (rays) Rathi: One who is riding the chariot (not the charioteer)) of light is a Hindi epic written in 1952, by the Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'. The epic poem narrates the story of Karna who is regarded as one of main protagonist of the Hindu epic- Mahabharata. It is the most appreciated work of Dinkar, who is considered the Rashtrakavi or "the national poet of India". Photo cover credit- "Mrityunjaya" Originally published- 1952 Language - Hindi Author- Ramdhari Singh "Dinkar" Source - Internet Collected by- Fragrance Aryan *** Karna was the first-born of Kunti, whom she had abandoned at birth as he was conceived before her marriage. Karna was born due to a boon by the Surya Dev (The Sun God). Karna grew up in family of charioteers, and struggled rising from the low charioteer to become the world conqueror and the hero of Mahabharata. In the Mahabharata War, Karna was obliged to fight from the side of Duryodhana who recognized his merits. Duryodhana made him a king and accepted him as a close friend. Karna fighting from Kaurava's side was a great worry for Pandavas as he was reputed to be unconquerable in war. The way Dinkar has presented the story of Karna with all hues of human emotions trapped in moral dilemmas is simply marvelous. The rhythm and meter are lilting. Choice of words and purity of language is exhilarating. On the eve of Mahabharata War, Kunti went to Karna and requested him to defuse the war by leaving Duryodhana and coming over to Pandava's side as he was her first born and it was only appropriate for him to fight from the side of Pandavass. A part of Karna's reply in words of Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' is given below. Karna says that even as he foresees a defeat for Kauravas, he must fight from the side of Duryodhana. He says that the war is quite pointless yet it is a destiny that has to be fulfilled.