What is Karna's varna (caste)? A Kshatriya by birth, then assumed a different one after being raised by foster parents (belonging to a different varna) and finally reclaimed it?
Who all (during the Mahabharata time) knew of Karna's true identity and his varna due to birth?
Sources :
In theory, he was of Karna identity.
His actual name was "Vasusena" or "RAdheya", after his adoptive mother "Radha".
And seeing the child furnished with bright mail and golden ear-rings, the twice-born ones named him Vasusena. [source]
However, it's noted (at least in BRC Mahabharata) that Bhishma [& possibly Vidura] knew the correct identity of RAdheya already. For experienced & knowledgeable person like them, it would have been easy to match his attributes with his biological mother Kunti, whose other sons were 5 PAndavas.
My assumption is that, Karna would have possibly named so by such dignitaries only.
As discussed in this answer, Kunti herself was adopted by her father. Her biological father Sura was from the Vaishya class.
Kunti was married to the king PAndu, who was from Kshatriya class. Hence all her sons, were considered PAndava-s:
A child born to a Kshatriya (PAndu) and a Vaishya (Kunti) is considered as "Karna". This was applied to Yuyutsu.
During that year, O king, was begotten upon her by the illustrious Dhritarashtra a son endued with great intelligence who was afterwards named Yuvutsu. And because he was begotten by a Kshatriya upon a Vaisya woman, he came to be called Karna. [Above linked answer]
However it's clarified that why Vasusena was named as Karna. So it's quite likely that above theory may not have any support and is wrong.
The son of Surya was before this known by the name of Vasusena. But since he cut off his natural armour, he came to be called Karna (the cutter or peeler of his own cover). [source]
Usually a son carries his biological father's class. However in the case of Niyoga, the son carries his adoptive father's class, which could be PAndu in this case. With that logic, Yudhishtira, Bhima, Arjuna could also be considered "Karna"-s, to be precise. Because all of them were born to Kunti from certain celestial deity.
If we consider that, Kunti's own class was changed to Kshatriya after her adoption, then all PAndava-s were Kshatriya-s.
Karna specifically always recognised himself with his adoptive parents, as discussed in this answer hence he was considered as Suta, usually helpers to the Kshatriya kings.
And it came to pass that at this time a Suta named Adhiratha, who was a friend of Dhritarashtra, came to the river Ganga, accompanied by his wife. [source]
Suta is a subclass, which originates, when a Kshatriya man begets a child to a Brahmana woman:
If a Kshatriya begets a son upon a Brahmana woman, such a son, without being included in any of the four pure orders, comes to be regarded as a Suta The duties of a Suta are all connected with the reciting of eulogies and encomiums of kings and other great men.
Varna is decided by quality not by birth
If you are a seeker teacher or guru you are bharaman If you are solder, diplomat, government official you are a shatria If you are business man, farmer you are a vaiya If you are a labour you are a shudra It doesn't mean you can only have same quality You can change your Profession anytime
Bhagvad Gita 18.41: The duties of the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—are distributed according to their qualities, in accordance with their Skills (and not by birth).
Bhagvad Gita 18.42: Tranquility, restraint, austerity, purity, patience, integrity, knowledge, wisdom, and belief in a hereafter—these are the intrinsic qualities of work for Brahmins.
Bhagvad Gita 18.43: Valor, strength, fortitude, skill in weaponry, resolve never to retreat from battle, large-heartedness in charity, and leadership abilities, these are the natural qualities of work for Kshatriyas.
Bhagvad Gita 18.44: Agriculture, dairy farming, and commerce are the natural works for those with the qualities of Vaishyas. Serving through work is the natural duty for those with the qualities of Shudras.
Karna was a Kshatriya as by his quality
