Was Karna a disciple of Drona or Parashurama or Both?

 Parashuram Shishya Karn 

There is some contradictory and confusing concepts regarding Karna's education and teachers. TV serials and films made on Mahabharata and Karna generally shows that Drona had refused to teach Karna as Karna was known to be a lower-caste person, and subsequently Karna had gone to Lord Parashurama for learning Warcraft. But in reality, matters are not as simple as they appear. According to the Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (K.M. Ganguli or most commonly known as KMG), Karna was at first a disciple of Drona and Kripa (most commonly known as Kripacharya), and subsequently he became a disciple of Lord Parashurama.
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We must know about one fact. Kripa was the first teacher of the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Then when Drona came to Hastinapura, he was appointed the teacher of the Kauravas and the Pandavas, in order to teach them about the superior methods of warfare. Nonetheless, Kripa continued to be a teacher of the princes as well, and thus both Drona and Kripa together taught the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
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Karna became a disciple of Drona and Kripa:
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It should be noted that unlike the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Karna was not at first a disciple of Kripa. He became a disciple of Drona at first and as at that time Drona and Kripa together used to teach the princes, Karna became a disciple of both Drona and Kripa.
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Passage from KMG's Mahabharata:
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"And, O bull of the Bharata race, many other princes also flocked to that best of Brahmanas for instruction in arms. The Vrishnis and the Andhakas, and princes from various lands, and the (adopted) son of Radha of the Suta caste, (Karna), all became pupils of Drona."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01135.htm
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[The above passage narrates that Karna became a disciple of Drona]
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"And having acquired all the four kinds of weapons from #Drona, #Kripa, and Rama, he became famous in the world as a mighty bowman."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03307.htm
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[The above passage narrates that Karna was a disciple of both Drona and Kripa, and he learnt the use of four kinds of weapons (Mukta, Amukta, Muktamukta and Yantramukta weapons) from them. Some people may think that this passage describes that Karna obtained four kinds of celestial/divine weapons from Drona and Kripa, but it would be a wrong idea. This passage indicates that Karna obtained the knowledge of using four kinds of ordinary weapons (Mukta weapons- darts, lances, discs etc.; Amukta weapons - swords, sabres, scimitars etc.; Muktamukta weapons - maces, clubs etc.; and Yantramukta weapons - arrows, stones etc.) from Drona and Kripa]
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"Karna one day approached Drona in private and said these words unto him, 'I desire to be acquainted with the Brahma weapon, with all its mantras and the power of withdrawing it, for I desire to fight Arjuna. Without doubt, the affection thou bearest to every one of thy pupils is equal to what thou bearest to thy own son. I pray that all the masters of the science of weapons may, through thy grace, regard me as one accomplished in weapons!' Thus addressed by him, Drona, #from_partiality_for_Phalguna, as also from his knowledge of the wickedness of Karna, said, 'None but a Brahmana, who has duly observed all vows, should be acquainted with the Brahma weapon, or a Kshatriya that has practised austere penances, and no other.' When Drona had answered thus, Karna, having worshipped him, obtained his leave"
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a002.htm
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[The above passage narrates that one day Karna approached Drona and requested him to teach him about celestial/divine weapons (i.e. Brahma weapon). Karna also made it known to Drona that he wanted to fight with Arjuna with these weapons. Drona was partial towards Arjuna, and he considered Karna's desire of fighting with Arjuna as 'wickedness'. So, he refused to teach Karna about celestial weapons, on the ground that only Brahmins and Kshatriyas should be taught about celestial weapons, and none else. Karna was raised in the Suta caste, so according to Drona’s perspective, he was unfit to learn about celestial weapons. Thereafter, Karna showed proper respect to Drona, and left the ashram/Gurukul/Gurugriha of Drona. With this, Karna's education under Drona and Kripa formally ended]
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Karna became a disciple of Lord Parashurama:
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After leaving Drona, Karna approached Lord Parashurama (the 6th incarnation of Vishnu on earth), and disguising himself as a Brahmin, obtained the knowledge of the science of arms and also acquired celestial weapons including Brahma weapon.
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Passages from KMG's Mahabharata:
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"Approaching Rama, he bent his head unto him and said, 'I am a Brahmana of Bhrigu's race.' This procured honour for him. With this knowledge about his birth and family, Rama received him kindly and said, 'Thou art welcome!' at which Karna became highly glad. While residing on the Mahendra mountains that resembled heaven itself, Karna met and mixed with many Gandharvas, Yakshas, and gods. Residing there he #acquired_all_the_weapons_duly, and #became_a_great_favourite of the gods, the Gandharvas, and the Rakshasas."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a002.htm
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[The above passage narrates that Karna acquired all the celestial weapons from Lord Parashurama. Also, while receiving education under Lord Parashurama, Karna came in contact with many gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas and Rakshasas, and became a great favourite of them. This suggests that Karna had become a formidable warrior by then and also he must have a charming personality, that's why he became the favourite of all communities]
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"That tiger of Bhrigu's race (viz., Rama), was well-pleased with the might of Karna's arms, his affection (for him), his self-restraint, and the services he did unto his preceptor. Observant of ascetic penances, Rama cheerfully communicated, with due forms, unto his penance-observing disciple, everything about the Brahma weapon with the mantras for withdrawing it. Having acquired a knowledge of that weapon, Karna began to pass his days happily in Bhrigu's retreat, and endued with wonderful prowess, he devoted himself with great ardour to the science of weapons."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a003.htm
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[The above passage narrates that Lord Parashurama was well-pleased with Karna's physical strength, devotion towards his teacher and self-restraint. Pleased with Karna's skills, Lord Parashurama bestowed on Karna the complete knowledge of Brahma weapon]
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"The descendant of Bhrigu gave the whole science of weapons unto the high-souled Karna, O tiger among kings with delighted heart."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08034.htm
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[The above passage narrates that Lord Parashurama had given all the celestial weapons (including Bhargava weapon, Pasupata weapon and Naga weapon) to Karna]
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"My bow, called Vijaya, is the foremost of all weapons (of its kind). Desirous of doing what was agreeable (to Indra), it was made by Vishakarman (the celestial artificer) for Indra. With that bow, O king, Indra had vanquished the Daityas. At its twang the Daityas beheld the ten points to be empty. That bow, respected by all, Sakra gave to Bhrigu’s son (Rama). That celestial and foremost of bows Bhrigu’s son gave to me. With that bow I will contend in battle with the mighty-armed Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors, like Indra fighting with the assembled Daityas. That formidable bow, the gift of Rama, is superior to Gandiva. It was with that bow that the Earth was subjugated thrice seven times (by Bhrigu’s son). With that bow given to me by Rama I will contend in battle with the son of Pandu."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08031.htm
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[The above passage narrates that Lord Parashurama had gifted Karna his personal bow Vijaya (with which Lord Parashurama had conquered the world 21 times]
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"This foremost of cars covered with tiger-skins, with axle producing no sound equipped with a golden seat endued with Trivenu made of silver, and unto which are yoked these foremost of steeds, Rama gave unto me."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08037.htm
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[The above passage narrates that Lord Parashurama had gifted Karna a celestial chariot]
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From the explanation of the above passages, it can be concluded that Karna was formally a disciple of the great Drona, the great Kripa and Lord Parashurama. But, Drona and Kripa, in spite of being great teachers, failed to understand/realize the potential of Karna, and refused to teach him about celestial weapons. But Lord Parashurama discovered the merit and talent of Karna, and so taught him about the entire science of weapons. [Karna lying to Lord Parashurama and getting cursed in return should not be considered here, because Karna had lied to obtain knowledge (and not for any evil motives), and so Lord Parashurama punished him by cursing him (but he also blessed Karna that no Kshatriya should be Karna's equal in battle). This displays that Karna was not at fault, because if Karna had been at fault, Lord Parashurama would have never blessed him]. Therefore, though Karna studied under three different teachers, it is Lord Parashurama who had made Karna what he was, and that's why Karna should be called only Lord Parashurama's student/disciple (and not Drona's and Kripa's).
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The Mahabharata also almost all times mentioned Karna as a disciple of Lord Parashurama and not of Drona and Kripa.
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Passages from KMG's Mahabharata:
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"(Thy preceptor) Rama, the son of Jamadagni, shooting his great weapons, could not cause me the slightest pain."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05169.htm
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[Bhishma called Lord Parashurama as Karna's preceptor, not Drona or Kripa]
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"Then Karna, the most honoured of all bowmen, desirous of obtaining victory, pierced the son of Subhadra with hundreds of arrows, displacing his best weapons. That foremost of all persons conversant with weapons, #that_valiant_disciple_of_Rama, by means of his weapons, thus afflicted Abhimanyu who was incapable of being defeated by foes."
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07037.htm
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[Karna had been described as a disciple of Lord Parashurama]
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"He unto whom in exchange for his earrings, Purandara had given that foe slaying, gold-decked, and celestial dart of the splendour of lightning,—he who had, lying (within his quiver) amid sandal-dust, that snakemouthed celestial arrow decked with gold, equipped with goodly wings, and capable of slaying all foes, he who, disregarding those heroic and mighty car-warriors having Bhishma and Drona at their head, had acquired #from_Jamadagni’s_son the terrible Brahmastra"
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http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08009.htm
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[Karna had been described as a disciple of Lord Parashurama]
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Thus in many places of Mahabharata, Karna has been described as a disciple of Lord Parashurama.

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■ CONCLUSION

Karna was a disciple of Lord Parashurama

Karn was a disciple of Drona until Karn expressed his wish "to be the greatest archer" to him,Drona left him the moment he did that! 

Credits: Arya