Who was the oldest and youngest warrior (by age) to participate in the Kurukshetra War?

 OLDEST WARRIOR :-

• BAHLIKA - Bahlika is one of the oldest warrior in Kurukshetra. He is the elder brother of King Shantanu and paternal uncle of Bhishma Pitamah. He fought for the Kauravas and died at the hands of Bhima on 14th night battle.

• BHAGADATTA - Bhagadatta is undoubtedly the most eldest warrior participated in Kurukshetra war. He is the mighty son of Demon Narakasura and grandson of Lord Varaha. He is very old that he has to tie the headband on his forehead so that his skinfolds on his forehead won't obstruct his vision. He sided with Kauravas to take revenge for his father Naraka’s death and also his alliance with Kuru Kingdom after defeated by Karna in the latter's Digvijay Yatra. He is killed by Arjuna on 12th day war.

• KRITAVARMA - Kritavarma is the mighty Yadava warrior who fought for Kauravas as the commander of Narayana sena. Kritavarma is the eldest brother of Devamidha (Great Grandfather of Shri Krishna). He is one of the survivors in Kurukshetra war. He is killed by Satyaki in Mausala Genocide.

YOUNGEST WARRIOR :- I think Arjuna and Drupadi’s son Shrutakarma is the Youngest Warrior in Kurukshetra War as he born after Arjuna's celibacy exile.

Between Ashwathama and Karna, who is the better warrior?

 Both warriors were inconsistent and usually equal in terms of capabilities. But on an overall performance. Karna scores higher!

Points for my reasoning.

1. Karna might have slightly more defeats, but he also had far more victories.
2. He conquered the whole world, which is specifically mentioned in BORI CE as well.
3. He also defeated the entire might of the Bharatha Kings in the Kalinga swayambara. Thousands of kings from all over the world were casually defeated.
4. Ashvathma arguably performed better than Karna in Virata war. But at the end of the day, they both lost the overall battle.
5. Other than that, we don’t see Ashthama in a lot of action. He mostly remains neutral. So it’s hard to gauge his power before the Kurukshetra war.

Now in Kurukshetra war. There was one day where Ashvathma completely dominated the battle. On the 15th day.

Pandavas including Arjuna were dominated by Drona’s son, who remained unvanquished in battle.

But karna dominated both the 16th and the 17th day, as well as the 14th night.

• On the 16th day of the battle.

He possibly defeated Arjuna and the other Pandavas once and then he defeated them again infront of Arjuna while simultaneously fighting him.

Having severed Hardikya’s bow and standard and killed his horses, he cut down Duhshasana’s supreme bow and attacked Radheya. At this, Karna abandoned Satyaki and struck Arjuna with three arrows. He then pierced Krishna with twenty arrows and struck Partha with three more. However, Satyaki advanced against Karna and pierced him with sharp arrows, first with ninety-nine fierce arrows and yet again with one hundred. All the foremost among the Pandus oppressed Karna—Yudhamanyu, Shikhandi, Droupadi’s sons, the Prabhadrakas, Uttamouja, Yuyutsu, the twins and Parshata.

The Chedis, Karushas, Matsyas, Kekayas and their armies, the powerful Chekitana and Dharmaraja, excellent in his vows—these rathas, horses, elephants and foot soldiers who were fierce in their valour—surrounded Karna in that battle and released many kinds of weapons. All of them devoted themselves to killing Karna and addressed him in fierce and eloquent words. Karna used his sharp arrows to cut down those numerous showers of weapons. He destroyed all of them, like a wind breaks down trees. One saw Karna angrily use his storm of arrows to destroy rathas, elephants and their riders, horses and their riders. The Pandu forces were slaughtered by Karna’s energy. Most of them lost their weapons and their bodies were wounded. They retreated.

Source- karna Parva critical edition of Mahabharata.

He was the only one who was stated to be capable of countering Ghatotkacha in a night battle.

Granted Ashvathma did great against Ghatotkacha and defeated him, but Karna thrashed Ghatotkacha and defeated him several times. Caught his Rudra vajra with bare hands.

He aka defeated every single Pandava Maharatha and could have easily killed Yuddhistira and ended the war on the 17th day.

• He has also made Arjuna retreat from the battlefield. Something Ashvathma hasn't been able to do.

‘ “At this, Kunti’s son, Dhananjaya, spoke to Vasudeva. ‘Behold the extremely terrible bhargava weapon. O Krishna! O mighty-armed one! Behold the valour of the bhargava weapon.

There is no means of countering that weapon in a battle. O Krishna! Behold the angry son of a suta in the great battle. The brave one is like Yama and has performed a terrible deed. He is repeatedly casting extremely terrible glances towards me. I do not see any means of running away from Karna in this battle. If a man remains alive in a battle, there may be victory, or there may be defeat.

O Hrishikesha! For the sake of victory, how can one be victorious if one is dead?’ O venerable one! Janardana wished to leave to see Yudhishthira and thought that Karna would be overcome with exhaustion in the battle.

Karna Parva critical edition of Mahabharata.

As for Astras. Both were master of all the Brahma weapons. Both possessed the Brahmashira weapon, so that point is mute.

Ashvathma had the edge with his Narayana weapon, but it can only be used once and it can be countered if a warrior simply surrenders.

But even if all of this is ignored, there’s a direct answer on why Ashvathama despite having immense potential never managed to achieve many great feats. It’s his lack of control.

He used a supreme weapon in battle like Narayana astra in battle, infact he dared to use another supreme weapon aka the Brahmashira missile on pregnant women.

Warriors like Karna and Arjuna did use astras on warriors in battle. Arjuna previously used the Vajra on soldiers, Karna used the Brahmastra. But they still never used it on innocent people, only in war and out of desperation.

Karna while brash, kept his weapons under control and steadied his mind. Which is what allowed him to counter all of Arjuna's weapons in his final battle.

He performed so well thT even Shree Krishna offered his sudarshana chakra to Arjuna after looking at Karna's performance.

Near the end of the battle. Arjuna's weapons were exhausted in battle and he was afflicted by Karna's weapons.

If Ashvathma learned to control himself, then he probably would have been better than both Arjuna and Karna. But this brash behaviour led to his downgrade.

Ashvathma started out better but Karna eventually surpassed him. The feats clearly reflect the overall growth.

Hence Karna proved himself to be the better warrior. Over time Karna learned to be better, and by the end ofwhile Ashvathama did not.

Apart from Karna, which other warrior in the war was a direct descendant of Surya?

 All the Pandavas and Kauravas were direct descendents of Surya.

King Kuru, from whom the dynasty got its name is the son of Tapati, daughter of Surya

Through Tapati, the daughter of Surya, Samvarana had a son named Kuru. Since Kuru was learned in the way of dharma, all the subjects instated him as their king. It is after his name that Kurujangala has become so famous in the world.

• 89, Sambhava parva, Mahabharata.

Gandharva chitraratha says to Arjuna

“O Partha! This is the story of the greatly fortunate Tapati of ancient times. She was the daughter of Vivasvat (Surya) and it is after her that you are named Tapatya. O Arjuna! O greatest among those who scorch! On Tapati, King Samvarana had a son named Kuru. Born in that lineage of Tapati, you are known as Tapatya.”

• 163, Chaitraratha parva, Mahabharata.

How do Lakshmi and Saraswati show their warrior aspects, given they are often associated with wealth and knowledge?

 

Every Mother takes different forms every day. She becomes cook when cooking food for children. Becomes aaya while cleaning the child. Becomes teacher when teaches child. In different forms, she does different activities.

Goddess Lakshmi Devi gives wealth - means not money, everything which makes us happy and comfortable. Goddess Saraswati gives education/knowledge.

When Goddess Lalithadevi fought with Demon Bhandasura, Goddess Varahidevi was Defence Minister and Goddess Syamaladevi was Chief Minister.

Varahidevi is a form of Lakshmi Devi and Syamala Devi is a form of Saraswati Devi.

These two fought with Visukra, Vishamga, brothers of Bhandasura, and others and killed them.

Even Balatripurasundari, 9 years old Goddess, participated in war and killed all sons of Bhandasura.

Same form will not do all activities.

How powerful truly was Kripacharya as a warrior?

 Kripacharya: An underrated warrior

Kripacharya

• Class: Rathayuthapayuthapah (Leader among leaders of Car-Divisions)
• Weapon(s): Bow & Arrow, Sword
• Named Kills: 3

Feats/Facts

Kripacharya is the posterchild of an incredibly powerful warrior who gets underrated by Quorans a lot. Placing him below Dhrishtadyumna is objectively wrong. Let’s examines Kripacharya’s feats throughout the Kurukshetra War

Kripacharya is mentioned to have all types of Brahma, Divine, and Asura Weapons (He had Brahmastra)

The
four
parts
of
dhanurveda250
are
today
established
in
Bhishma,
Drona,
Kripa
and
Drona’s son.251
They
know
all
types
of
brahma,
divine
and
asura
weapons,
how
to
release
them
and
how
to
counter
them. They
know
the
use
of
all
weapons
and
how
to
counter
them.

Kripacharya humiliated and defeated Dhrishtadyumna with ease

O
king!
Kripa
countered
Dhrishtadyumna
in
the
battle,
like
a
sharabha242
in
a
forest,
advancing
and
fighting against
a
proud
elephant.
O
descendant
of
the
Bharata
lineage!
Parshata
was
checked
by
the
powerful
Goutama and
could
not
advance
a
single
step.
On
witnessing
Goutama’s
form
advancing
towards
Dhrishtadyumna’s
chariot, all
the
beings
were
terrified
and
thought
that
he243
was
confronting
destruction.
The
rathas
and
riders
were
distressed
in
their
minds
and
said,
‘The
immensely
energetic
Sharadvata,
supreme
among
men,
is
certainly
extremely enraged
at
Drona’s
killing.
He
is
intelligent
and
skilled
in
the
use
of
divine
weapons.
Will
Dhrishtadyumna
be
safe today
from
Goutama?
Will
this
entire
army
be
freed
from
this
great
danger?
The
brahmana
will
kill
all
of
us
together.
His
severe
form
is
seen
to
be
like
that
of
the
Destroyer.
In
this
encounter,
he
will
follow
the
footsteps
of Bharadvaja’s
son.
The
preceptor244
is
light
in
the
use
of
his
hands
and
is
always
victorious
in
battle.
He
possesses the
valour
of
weapons
and
is
angry
as
well.
It
can
be
seen
that
Parshata
is
now
extremely
reluctant
to
fight.’
These and
other
words
were
spoken
by
those
on
your
side
and
on
the
side
of
the
enemy.
O
king!
Kripa
Sharadvata breathed
angrily
and
enveloped
Parshata,
who
was
immobile,
in
all
his
inner
organs.
In
that
encounter,
he
was struck
by
the
great-souled
Goutama.
He
was
supremely
confounded
in
that
battle
and
did
not
know
what
he
should do.
His
charioteer
said,
‘O
Parshata!
Are
you
fine?
I
have
never
seen
you
face
such
a
difficulty
in
a
battle.
These arrows
shot
by
that
foremost
among
brahmanas
are
capable
of
penetrating
the
inner
organs
and
are
directed
at
your inner
organs.
It
is
sheer
fortune
that
you
have
escaped.
I
will
withdraw
the
chariot
from
the
spot,
like
the
force
of
a river
driven
back
by
the
ocean.
Your
valour
has
been
destroyed
by
this
brahmana
and
I
think
that
he
cannot
be killed.’
O
king!
At
this,
Dhrishtadyumna
gently
spoke
these
words.
‘O
son!245
My
mind
has
gone
numb
and
there is
sweat
on
my
body.
Behold!
My
body
is
overcome
by
lassitude
and
my
body
hair
is
standing
up.
O
charioteer! Abandon
the
brahmana
in
the
battle
and
slowly
go
to
the
spot
where
Achyuta,
Arjuna
and
Bhimasena
are,
so
that
I may
obtain
safety
in
the
battle.
In
my
view,
that
is
what
we
should
do.’
O
great
king!
At
this,
the
charioteer
urged the
horses
towards
the
spot
where
the
great
archer,
Bhima,
was
fighting
with
your
soldiers.
O
venerable
one!
On seeing
that
Dhrishtadyumna’s
chariot
was
going
away,
Goutama
followed
it
and
showered
hundreds
of
arrows.
The scorcher
of
enemies
repeatedly
blew
on
his
conch
shell.
He
drove
away
Parshata,
like
the
great
Indra
against Shambara.

Kripacharya defeated Shikhandi and killed Suketu

Meanwhile,
in
the
encounter,
Sharadvata
Kripa
swiftly
dispatched
arrows
towards Shikhandi,
as
if
wishing
to
burn
him
down.
However,
with
his
sword,
he498
repeatedly
sliced
down
all
the
arrows that
were
embellished
with
gold
and
were
shot
at
him
from
all
directions,
while
they
were
still
in
mid-air.
At
this, Goutama
quickly
shattered
Parshata’s
shield,
which
was
decorated
with
the
marks
of
one
hundred
moons,
with
his arrows.
The
men
roared
loudly.
O
great
king!
Deprived
of
his
shield,
he
attacked
with
the
sword
in
his
hand.
But he
had
come
under
Kripa’s
control,
like
a
diseased
person
in
the
mouth
of
death.
The
immensely
strong
one
was afflicted
by
Sharadvata’s
fierce
arrows.
On
seeing
this,
Suketu,499
Chitraketu’s
son,
spiritedly
advanced.
In
the battle,
he
showered
the
brahmana
with
many
sharp
arrows.
The
one
whose
soul
was
immeasurable,
dashed
towards Goutama’s
chariot.
O
supreme
among
kings!
On
seeing
that
the
brahmana,
devoted
to
his
vows,
was
engaged
in
a fight
with
someone
else,
Shikhandi
quickly
withdrew.
O
king!
Suketu
struck
Goutama
with
nine
arrows,
pierced him
again
with
seventy,
and
struck
him
yet
again
with
three
arrows.
O
venerable
one!
He
next
severed
his500
bow, with
an
arrow
affixed
to
it.
With
another
arrow,
he
severely
struck
his
charioteer
in
the
inner
organs.
Goutama
became
angry
at
this
and
picked
up
another
new
bow
that
was
firm.
He
struck
Suketu
in
all
his
inner
organs
with
thirty
arrows.
All
his
limbs
were
weakened
and
he
wavered
on
that
supreme
chariot.
He
was
like
a
tree,
trembling
and moving
during
an
earthquake.
His
head
was
adorned
with
flaming
earrings.
It
had
a
headdress
and
a
helmet.
While he
was
moving,
he501
brought
it
down
with
a
kshurapra
arrow.
That
head
fell
down
on
the
ground,
like
a
piece
of meat
being
carried
by
a
hawk.
Thereafter,
the
head
was
dislodged
and
fell
down
on
the
ground.
O
great
king! When
he
was
slain,
those
who
followed
him
were
frightened.
They
abandoned
the
fight
with
Goutama
and
fled
in the
ten
directions.

Kripacharya defeated Shikhandi

Shikandi
sliced
down
Goutama’s
giant
bow
and
shot
many
arrows
at
him.
O
king!
Kripa
became angry
at
this
and
hurled
a
fierce
javelin.
The
shaft
was
golden
and
it
was
sharp
at
the
tip,
having
been
polished
by artisans.
As
it
descended,
Shikhandi
struck
it
down
with
many
arrows.
It
flamed
as
it
fell
down
on
the
ground,
dazzling
and
immensely
radiant.
O
great
king!
Goutama,
supreme
among
rathas,
picked
up
another
bow
and
shrouded Shikhandi
with
sharp
arrows.
Shikhandi,
supreme
among
rathas,
was
enveloped
in
that
encounter
by
the
illustrious Goutama
and
losing
his
senses,
sank
down
on
the
floor
of
his
chariot.
O
descendant
of
the
Bharata
lineage!
Beholding
that
he
had
become
unconscious
in
the
battle,
Sharadvata
Kripa
wished
to
kill
him
and
struck
him
with many
arrows.
Seeing
that
Yajnasena’s
maharatha
son
could
no
longer
fight
in
the
encounter,
the
Panchalas
and
the Somakas
surrounded
him
from
all
sides.

Kripacharya overpowered Dhrishtaketu

Dhrishtaketu
severed
the
many
kinds
of
arrows
Kripa
released
towards
him.
He
then
pierced
Kripa
with
seventy
arrows and
then
used
three
more
to
bring
down
the
sign
on
his
standard.
Kripa
countered
him
with
a
great
shower
of
arrows.
In
this
fashion,
in
that
battle,
the
brahmana78
countered
Dhrishtaketu

Kripacharya defeated Yudhamanyu

“Yudhamanyu
attacked
Kripa
and
quickly
severed
his
bow.
Kripa,
supreme
among
the
wielders
of
weapons, picked
up
another
bow.
He
brought
down
Yudhamanyu’s
standard,
charioteer,
umbrella
and
bow
on
the
ground. Maharatha
Yudhamanyu
withdrew
on
another
chariot.

Kripacharya overpowered Yudhishthira, killing his charioteer

‘
“At
this,
Kripa
used
six
arrows
to
slay
his (Yudhishthira’s)
charioteer,
who
fell
down
in
front
of
him.

Kripacharya most likely killed Vardhakshemi (It is mentioned that Kripa countered him, and this is the final mention of Vardhakshemi, with the next mention only mentioning him to be dead)

Sharadvata
Kripa
repulsed
Varshneya
Vardhakshemi
with
kshudraka
arrows,
as he
angrily
attacked
Drona
with
arrows.
Those
who
saw
Kripa
and
Varshneya
fight
in
that
wonderful
fashion
became
so
engrossed
in
that
encounter
that
they
forgot
about
doing
anything
else.

Kripacharya killed the son of Kuninda

The
elephants
were
beautifully
covered
with
nets
of
gold
and
looked
like
clouds
tinged
with
lightning.
Using ten
arrows
that
were
completely
made
out
of
iron,
the
son
of
Kuninda729
severely
struck
Kripa
and
his
charioteer. However,
slain
by
the
arrows
of
Sharadvata’s
son,
he
fell
down
on
the
ground,
together
with
his
elephant.

Kripacharya killed Abhimanyu’s wheel protectors

Bhoja115
killed
his
(Abhimanyu’s) horses
and
Goutama116
the
charioteers
who
guarded
his
flanks.

Verdict

We can conclude that Kripacharya is a level below warriors like Arjuna, Ghatotkacha, Satyaki, Bhima, and Abhimanyu, but a level above warriors like Yudhishthira, Dhrishtadyumna, etc.

Overall I don’t think he was really trying during the war at all. He is the only warrior to possess the brahmastra but never use it. He fought fairly throughout the war when compared to his fellow preceptor Drona and never abused Divyastras the way other major warriors did. He was holding back and revealed his true martial prowess by humiliating and easily defeating Dhrishtadyumna.

How powerful was Suta's son(Karna) as a warrior?

 Karna was one of the most powerful warriors of Dwapara Yuga, he is mostly remembered for his victories he earned in his military career.

In the listing of top 10 warriors of Mahabharata, he easily includes in the list.

• He was possibly the greatest warrior after Drona, Bhishma, & Arjuna who fought in the Kurukshetra war. He defeated almost all the political dominions of aryavrata (the entire human civilization during the time of Mahabharata) along with their rulers as mentioned in Mahabharata.
• Karna defeated Shishupala, Jarasandha, Rukmi, Bhishmaka, Vakra, Nila, Srigala, Kapotaroman, and many other powerful kings of aryavrata including rulers from the mlechha tribes in archery during the swayamvara of Kalinga princess Bhanumati and helped his friend Duryodhana to wed the Kalinga princess Bhanumati (Shanti Parva).
• Karna defeated Jarasandha in a wrestling combat, and satisfied with Karna's valour, Jarasandha bestowed the city of Champa to Karna, and from that time onwards, Karna begun to rule Anga along with Champa, the modern region of West Bengal & parts of eastern Bihar (Shanti Parva).
• Karna defeated many kings of the northern, eastern, southern, and western direction of aryavrata for the Vaishnava sacrifice of his friend Duryodhana, thereby subjugating all those powerful kings of the earth at that time, namely, Bhagadatta, Drupada, all the kings of the Himalayas, Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Mandikas, Magadhas, Karkakhandas, Avasiras, Yodhyas, Ahikshatras, demons in Batsabhumi, Kevali, Mrittikevali, Mohana, Patrana, Tripura, Konsa, Dakshinatya (all the kings of Deccan Plateau upto the Southern India), Rukmi, Pandya, Karala, Nila, son of Venudari, many kings of the Yadavas (Gujarat region), son of Sishupala and all the other kings surrounding him, Avantis, Vrishnis (the most important and powerful Yadava clan), Yavanas (Indo-Greeks), and finally the Varvaras on the seashore of Gujarat (Vana Parva).
• Karna defeated the Abhishahas, the Shurasenas, the Shibis, the Vasatis, the Machellakas, the Lalitthayas, the Kekayas, the Madrakas (kingdom of Shalya), the Narayanas, the Gopalas, and the Kambojas (modern day Afghanistan), for the political territorial expansion of Hastinapura (Udyoga Parva, Drona Parva).
• Karna defeated Rukmaratha princes from the mleccha tribe (Udyoga Parva).
• Karna defeated Nagnajit and many kings of Magadha (Udyoga Parva).
• Karna defeated the Kiratas and many tribes of the Himalayas (Udyoga Parva).
• Karnas's achievements in the Kurukshetra war include defeating the powerful opponent warriors like Bhima, Satyaki, Dhrishtadyumna, Yudhishthira, Shikandi, etc. on multiple occasions, and also overpowering Arjuna on some occasions.
• On the 11th day, Karna countered a group attack of the five opponent Kekaya princes who sided with the Pandavas.
• Karna defeated Bhima on the 14th day of Kurukshetra war and spared his life, after being beaten by Bhima earlier on five separate occasions. He also defeated Bhima on the 15th day and a number of times on the 17th day (Drona Parva, Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated Sahadeva on the 14th day and spared his life (Drona Parva).
• Karna defeated Dhristadyumna and the Panchalas multiple times on the 14th day (Drona Parva).
• Karna killed Ghatotkacha with the spear of Indra on the 14th day (Drona Parva).
• Karna routed the rakshasa division of Ghatotkacha consisting of Kalakeya demons with his weapons multiple times on the 14th day (Drona Parva).
• Karna defeated Nakula on the 16th day and spared his life (Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated a group attack of Satyaki, Yudhishthira, Nakula, Sahadeva, Dhrishtadyumna and a large segment of Panchala warriors on the 16th day.
• Karna routed the powerful forces of the Pandava army, notably the Panchala divison, Chedi division, & the Srinjaya division, multiple times from the 11th day to the 17th day (Drona Parva, Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated Yudhishthira on the 17th day and spared his life, also he defeated Yudhishthira multiple times (Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated Satyaki and rescued Duryodhana on the 17th day (Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated Shikhandi on the 17th day (Karna Parva).
• Karna killed notable Panchala warriors like Jishnu, Jishnukarman, Devapi, Chitra, Chitrayudha, Hari, Singhaketu, Rochamana and Salabha on the 17th day. (Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated multiple group attacks consisting of Yudhishthira, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva, Satyaki, Shikandi, and Dhristadyumna on the 17th day (Karna Parva).
• Karna was responsible for Arjuna's sole retreat from the battlefield. Arjuna was unable to counter the Bhargavastra of Karna and accepted his inability to counter the weapon before leaving the battlefield to see Yudhishthira (Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated Uttamouja on the 17th day (Karna Parva).
• Karna killed a son of Satyaki and a son of Dhrishtadyumna on the 17th day (Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated and killed Ugradhanva, the commander of the Kekayas, on the 17th day (Karna Parva).
• Karna defeated a Panchala group attack consisting of Dhristadyumna, Shikhandi, Uttamouja, Yudhamanyu and Janamejaya on the 17th day.
• In the final fight with Arjuna, Karna prevailed on some occasions, also overpowered Arjuna and pierced the divine armour of Shri Krishna with five powerful serpentine arrows, also crushed the celestial diadem of Arjuna with his serpentine shaft and the serpent known as Ashwasena, Shri Krishna pressed the chariot into the ground, thereby the shaft of Karna took away Arjuna's diadem, instead of the head, Karna was vulnerable to death due to the curse of Parashurama and the wheels of Karna's chariot plunging deep into the earth.
• In addition to that, Karna killed 1.5 Akshauhini of the Pandava forces (atleast 3.28 lakhs men, 1 akshauhini=218700 warriors including the archers, cavalry, elephant riders, & foot soilders) and many notable Panchala, Srinjaya, & Chedi warriors during his tenure as the general of the Kaurava forces on the 16th day & the 17th day (Karna Parva).
• As per Drona Parva & Karna Parva, Karna was equal to two maharathas (maharatha=a warrior capable of fighting atleast 7.2 lakh opponents simultaneously), only Drona, Bhishma, Arjuna, Ashwatthama, Bhima, & Satyaki were maharathas, or warriors greater than the maharatha class.
• Karna was in possession of powerful divine weapons such as Brahmastra, Rudrastra, Varunastra, Agneyastra, & Bhargavastra, which were feared by his opponents, only a handful of warriors who fought in the Kurukshetra war were in possession of celestial weapons, the likes of Arjuna, Drona, Bhishma, Ashwatthama, Bhima, Yudhishthira, Satyaki, Bhagadatta, Ghatotkacha, Abhimanyu, and a few others.

Taking into account the stand of Karna's destructive potential during his tenure for 7 days (11th day to the 17th day), it is easily discernable in total Karna nearly killed 2 Akshauhini (around 4.3 lakhs of Pandava forces) out of total 7 Akshauhini of Pandava forces who fought in the Kurukshetra war, and the most destructive warrior who fought in the Kurukshetra war after Arjuna and Drona.

Karna lost only to the best of warriors, namely, Arjuna, Bhima, Satyaki, & Abhimanyu, and was once overpowered by the gandharvas of Chitrasena (Ghosh Yatra Parva, Vana Parva).

Overall, Karna was a supreme warrior, in the same league as that of Drona, Arjuna, Bhishma, Ashwatthama, Bhima & Abhimanyu, and hardly any other warrior other than these warriors was really a match for Karna, throughout the entire Kurukshetra warrior, not a single warrior amongst the Panchalas (including Dhrishtadyumna & Shikandi), the Srinjayas, & the Chedis ever found any weakness in Karna's combat skills, they strived to defeat him with all their valour, sometimes even combining with each other in groups against Karna, however Karna vanquished them on every single occasion.

Had Karna been armed with his golden armour and earrings forged from the elixir of immortality (betterly known as amrita), and fought in the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas would not have been able to win the Kurukshetra war.

Image courtesy : Google

Was the Mahabharata warrior Karna's Vijaya bow superior to the Arjuna's Gandiva bow?

 Rather than comparing statments. Let’s directly adress their feats.

On the 17th day. Karna and Arjuna both fought the toughest battle of their lives and guess what?

Only one of the bows snapped! It was Gandiva. Not the Vijaya bow.

Pandava’s bowstring was being drawn with great force and snapped, with a loud noise. At that moment, the son of a suta struck Partha with one hundred kshudraka arrows. He pierced Vasudeva with sixty sharp iron arrows that were washed in oil and were tufted with the feathers of birds. They were like snakes that had cast off their skins.

At this, the Somakas ran away. Partha became extremely angry. His body was mangled by Karna’s arrows.

Source: Karna Parva Mahabharata critical edition.

Karna also cut off several strings of Gandiva. Arjuna however never ever managed to do the same.

O Partha! Radheya is destroying your arrows. Release supreme weapons.’ Using mantras, Arjuna released brahmastra. With those radiant arrows, Arjuna shrouded Karna. But Karna used extremely energetic arrows to angrily sever his bowstring. Fixing another bowstring, Pandava enveloped Karna with thousands of fiery arrows.

In that battle, when Karna severed his bowstring, he fixed another one so quickly that no one could make this out. It was wonderful. Using his weapons, Radheya countered all of Savyasachi’s weapons. At that time, his valour seemed to be greater than that of Partha.

Now some Arjuna bhakts have lined up to claim that Karna lost against Bhima with the Vijaya bow.

First if that’s the case, then Arjuna was also struck unconscious by Susharma. Arjuna was defeated when he held the Gandiva.

Having used his own shower of great weapons to sever the shower of arrows, Vasava’s son, the destroyer of enemy heroes, remained stationed on his chariot in the field of battle. O King! Susharma used arrows with drooping tufts to pierce Arjuna in the chest and pierced Arjuna in the chest and pierced him again with three other arrows. Having been severely wounded and pained, he sank down on the floor of his chariot. When he regained his senses, the one with the white horses, immeasurable in his soul and with Sri Krishna as his charioteer, quickly invoked the Aindra weapon.

Karna Parva: Chapter 1187(37)

Arjuna and several other Maharathas attacked Dronacharya and were defeated on the 11th day of the Kurukshetra war.

.Arjuna and Parshata, with their followers, surrounded him, together with all the maharathas—the Kekayas, Bhimasena, Subhadra’s son, Ghatotkacha, Yudhishthira, the twins, Matsya, Drupada’s son, Droupadi’s cheerful sons, Dhrishtaketu, Satyaki, the enraged Chekitana and maharatha Yuyutsu. O king! There were many other kings who followed the Pandavas. In accordance with their lineage and their valour, they performed many deeds. On seeing that the army of the Pandavas was thus protected in battle, Bharadvaja’s son glanced at them, with anger in his eyes. He was stationed on his chariot, invincible in battle, and was overcome by terrible rage. He pierced the Pandava army, like the wind scattering clouds. He attacked the chariots, horses, men and elephants in every direction. Though he was old, Drona roamed around, like a mad young man. His horses were crimson in colour and were as fleet as the wind. They were covered in blood. O king! Those horses thus assumed a beautiful appearance. On seeing that angry one, rigid in his vows, descend like death, the Pandava warriors fled in every direction. Some fled in fright.

Drona Parva Mahabharata critical edition.

Both warriors were defeated with supreme bows. So that point simply doesn’t matter

Yes! Gandiva has more statments on it’s side. But by feats Arjuna has also faced more defeats with Gandiva. Karna only used the Vijaya once and perfomed better than the wielder of Gandiva on the 17th day.

But either way the bow doesn’t really define the warrior as much. Karna performed well because he prepared himself well which allowed him to baffle of Arjuna’s weapons and afflict him.

All my points are from Vyasa’s Mahabharata.