Knowledge Bank

Who was Karna in his previous birth?

Karna was an incarnation of Surya Deva. Evil had increased beyond the limit on earth. Bhumi Devi went to Brahma and complained that she could not bear the load. In fact, the Asuras who were evicted from Swarga had incarnated on earth and were creating trouble. Brahma asked the Devas also to incarnate on earth and destroy them. This could happen only if a war took place. Brahma asked Surya to incarnate as Kunti's son, Karna. Karna's friendship and support would give Duryodhana to get into conflict with the Pandavas.

How are the Vedas studied today?

Vedas are still studied following the system of oral transmission. The teacher chants a mantra and the students repeat after him till it is memorized and its pronunciation perfected.