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Mahabharata
Kundalaharana Parva
The colloquy between Karna and Surya. The instructions (given) to Pritha (by her father). Ministrations by Pritha to the twice born one. The initiation of Pritha into the Mantras. The invoking of Surya by Kunti. The enjoyment of Pritha by Surya. The desertion of Karna by his mother. The obtaining of Karna by Radha. The bestowal of his mail and ear-rings by Karna (on Indra).
Janamejaya said:
O Branmana, (you say) at that time, Lomasha conveyed to Yudhishthira, the son Pandu, a message from Indra in these words of grave consequence, "I will remove that great terror which you do not reveal to any one when Dhananjaya departs from this place," now tell me, O best of devotees, what this great fear was which Yudhishthira entertained in respect of Karna and why he did not reveal it to any one.
Vaishampayana said:
O best of kings, I will relate that history to you, as asked by you. O best of the Bharatas, listen to my words.
On the expiration of the twelfth year of their forest life when the thirteenth had set in, Shakra, the well-wisher of the Pandavas, resolved to ask Karna for his ear-rings.
But Vibhavasu (the sun) aware of the intentions of Mahendra about the ear-rings, O mighty Monarch, appeared before Karna.
And when that truthful hero, devoted to the Brahmanas, was comfortably lying down on a costly bed furnished with a rich sheet.
The resplendent god, the sun, O king of kings, moved with great kindness consequent on paternal affection, showed himself, at night, in a dream, O Bharata.
And by his devotional power, wearing the shape of a handsome Brahmana, well read in the Vedas, the Sun addressed Karna for his welfare, these sweet words.
"O son, O Karna, O foremost of the truthful, O mighty-armed one, listen to these highly beneficial words of mine that I tell you today out of affection for you.
O Karna, Shakra with the desire of doing good to the Pandavas will come to you in the disguise of a Brahmana in order to have your ear-rings.
This noble conduct on your part that when asked by the pious you give away to them whatsoever they ask but never beg, is known to Shakra himself and the world at large.
O son, you bestow on the Brahmanas wealth or any other thing asked by them and never refuses anything to any one.
The vanquisher (of the Asura) Paka, who is well aware of this, will come to you in person, in order to beg your ear-rings and armour.
When he will ask for the ear-rings, you must not part with them but entreat him to the best of your power to make him desist; because that will tend to your greatest good.
O son, when he will tell you about the ear-rings, you will, by showing various reasons, refuse him over and over again and offer him various other sorts of riches.
And you will try to appease Purandara, desirous of getting the ear-rings, by offering gems, women, cows, various sorts of riches and by citing precedents.
If, O Karna, you part with those auspicious ear-rings with which yon were born, your life will be shortened and you will be subject to death.
O bestower of honours, arrayed in your armour and ear-rings you will be unslayable by your enemies in battle. Know these my words to be certain.
These two jewelled ear-rings have derived their origin from ambrosia. Therefore, they should be carefully preserved by you, if you have any love for your life.
Karna said:
Who are you, that, showing so great an affection for me, are addressing me thus? Tell me, O god, if you desire, who you are in the shape of a Brahmana.
The Brahmana said:
O child, I am the god of hundred rays (sun). Out of affection I give you this advice. Act in obedience to my advice as it is highly beneficial to you.
Karna said:
It is (no doubt) highly fortunate for me that the lord god of splendour, desirous of my welfare, speaks to me today. Listen to my words.
I am adoring you, who are the giver of boons and out of love am saying to you this. If I am at all dear to you, I should not be prevented (by you) from observing this vow.
O Vibhavasu, all the world is aware of this vow on my part that I am surely ever ready to give my very life to the best of Brahmanas.
If, O best of sky-rangers, Shakra disguised as a Brahmana comes to me to beg (the ear-rings) for the good of the sons of Pandu, then, O best of the celestials, I will give the ear-rings and the excellent armour. In that case my renown which has spread over the three worlds, will not be at a discount.
It is not at all proper for men like us to save life by a degrading act. Death coupled with honour and meeting with the approbation of the world is preferable.
Therefore I will give the ear-rings together with the armour to Indra. If the slayer of Bala and Vritra comes to me to beg.
The ear-rings for the good of the sons of Pandu, then the whole world will be redolent of my fame and will proclaim his infamy.
O Brahmana, I long for renown in this world even at the sacrifice of my life. Men having renown attain to heaven while those having none are lost.
Even like a mother fame keeps people alive; but a man given to in famy is as good as dead even though his frame be not destroyed.
O Vibhavasu, O lord of the worlds, that fame is the very life of man is evident from the (following) ancient sloka (verse) sung by the creator himself.
"In the next world fame leads men to supreme bliss while in this pure fame prolongs life."
So, I will win an everlasting renown by giving (my ear-rings) born with my body. By duly bestowing on the Brahmanas (gifts) sanctioned by ordinances, by sacrificing my life in battle on performing unachievable feats and by conquering my enemies I will win nothing but fame.
By sparing the affrighted in battle who crave their lives and delivering old men, children and the twice-born ones, from great danger, I will win a great renown in this world and have access to the highest heaven (in the next).
Know this to be my solemn determination that I will preserve my fame even at the sacrifice of my very life.
Surya said:
O Karna, never do such acts as will lead to the injury of your own self, your friends, your sons, your wives, your mother and your father.
O best of those that bear life, creatures do not wish to sacrifice their bodies for renown in this world and everlasting fame in heaven.
There is no doubt that the everlasting renown which you long for at the cost of your life, will deprive you of it.
O most exalted of men, so long as a person is alive, his father, mother, son and other relations in this world are useful to him.
The kings also, O best of men, can avail themselves of their prowess, so long as they are alive. Do understand it. O highly-resplendent being, fame is serviceable to living beings only.
As regards a dead person whose frame has been reduced to ashes, what necessity is there for fame? It is not the dead but living persons that can enjoy fame.
The fame of a dead person is like a garland (round the neck) of a man whose life is extinct. For the reason that you are a worshipper of mine I am telling you all this for your good,
And for this further reason that all my devotees should be protected by me. Considering, O mighty-armed one, that this person is a great devotee to me, I have been inclined to revere you. Therefore accept my advice.
A deep mystery ordained by fate, underlies all this. It is on this account that I am addressing you thus. Act (according to my words) and let no doubts cross your mind.
O best of men, you are not fit to learn this which even the gods do not know. It is why I do not reveal it to you. You will, however know it in time.
O Radha's son, I am telling you again what I have already said. Pay attention to it. You will by no means give the ear-rings to the wielder of the thunderbolt when he will beg them (of you).
Adorned with your beautiful ear-rings you shine like the moon in the azure sky between the Vishakha constellations, O highly effulgent creature.
Know that fame is useful to a person so long as he is alive. Therefore, O son, you must refuse the lord of the celestials when he will beg the ear-rings.
O sinless one, you will be able to do away with the eager desire of the lord of the gods for the ear-rings by repeatedly addressing him in various words coupled with reason.
O Karna, remove the desire of Purandara by sweet and reasonable words of great consequence.
O most valiant of men, you always challenge Savyasachi (i.e. Arjuna who can draw the bow with his left hand) and the warlike Savyasachi too, will no doubt, encounter you in battle.
But arrayed in your ear-rings Arjuna, even with the assistance of Indra himself shall not be able to defeat you in battle.
Therefore, O Karna, if you are at all desirous of defeating. Arjuna in battle, do not give your auspicious ear-rings to Shakra.
Karna said:
O god, O lord of splendour and scorching rays, you are as much aware of my being a worshipper of yours, (as of the fact) that there is nothing which I can not part with.
By virtue of the reverence that I always feel for you, you are, O lord of splendour, dearer (to me) then my wife, my sons, my own self and my friends.
O author of light, you are no doubt aware that high-souled persons cherish a high regard for their devoted worshipper.
Considering that Karna is your devoted worshipper and that he known no other god in heavens, you have given me these instructions.
Again with bended head and repeated prayers do I implore you and tell you this. O lord of searching rays, that you will (graciously) pardon me.
I do not fear death so much as falsehood. Especially for the sake of all the righteous twice-born ones ever, I am ready to sacrifice my life without (the least) hesitation.
As to what you have said to me about the Pandava Falguna. O author light, (I ask you) to dispel your sorrow caused by mental uneasiness regarding Arjuna and myself. (Because) I will surely defeat Arjuna in battle.
O god, you are no doubt aware of the great strength of my weapons which I have obtained from the son of Jamadagni (i.e. Parashuram) and from the high-souled Drona.
O best of the gods, permit me now to observe the vow on my part that I may bestow my very life upon the begging wielder of the thunderbolt.
Surya said:
O highly-powerful son, if you bestow your beautiful ear-rings to the wielder of the
thunderbolt, you should, in order to secure victory, say to him, "O lord of hundred sacrifices, I can only part with my ear-rings under a condition."
As you cannot surely be slain by any creature when furnished with your earrings, so the destroyer of the Danavas, O son, wishing your death at the hands of Arjuna in battle, wants to rob you of your ear-rings.
Worshipping again and again with agreeable and truthful speeches the lord of the celestials, Purandara, the possessor of infallible weapons.
You will say to him, "O thousand-eyed lord, I will give you the two ear-rings and the excellent armour, if you will bestow on me an infallible dart destructive of enemies."
It is under this condition only, O Karna, that you will give your ear-rings to Shakra. Then you will be able to destroy your enemies in battle.
O mighty-armed one, that arrow of the lord of the gods does not return to the hand of the person who discharges it, without destroying hundreds and thousands of enemies.
Vaishampayana said:
Saying this, the lord of thousand rays suddenly became invisible. (The next day) Karna after having performed his devotions told the sun of the dream.
And Vrisha (Karna) faithfully related to him everything in detail, viz. his meeting with the sun and the conversation that took place between them during the night.
Hearing all this, the divine lord Bhanu, the subduer of Svarbhanu (Rahu) spoke to Karna with a smile, "it is all true."
Then the son of Radha, the slayer of enemies, knowing all this to be true, awaited (the arrival of) Vasava, with the desire of obtaining the dart.
Janamejaya said:
What was that secret which the god of hot rays did not give out to Karna? Of what nature were that coat of mail and those two ear-rings? O righteous one, where did that armour and those two ear-rings of his spring from? O being whose wealth is devotion, I am curious to learn all this. Therefore relate to me all this.
Vaishampayana said:
O king, I am now relating to you the secret of the god having his rays for wealth and also of what sort the armour and the pair of ear-rings were.
Formerly, O monarch, there came a highly-energetic Brahmana to Kuntibhoja. He was tall in stature, wore beard and matted locks, carried a staff in his hand.
Was agreeable to look at and of faultless proportions and seemed as if burning in splendour. His complexion was yellow and he spoke sweet words. He was possessed of devotion and he studied the Vedas.
That Brahmana of great and excellent devotion said to king Kuntibhoja "O being that is free from pride, I am desirous of eating at your house (the food) obtained as alms.
I can, if you like it, dwell at your house under the condition that neither you nor your attendants will cross me in any way.
I will go out and come in at my pleasure. And O king, with regard to my food or bed no body shall disturb me."
(Then) Kuntibhoja gladly said these words "be it so and even more than this." And he told him again thus.
"O highly wise one, I have a renowned daughter, Pritha by name. That damsel is endowed with good manners, is observant of vows, chaste and self-controlled.
She, without despising you, will wait on you and minister to your comforts. And you also will be pleased with her (graceful) manners."
Saying this and duly worshipping that Brahmana, he (the king) went to his daughter Pritha, endued with large eyes and said to her thus,
"This highly fortunate Brahmana, O child, wishes to dwell in my house. I have promised him this saying "be it so."
O child, you will minister to this Brahmana with great skill. And you will act in such a way as not to belie my words.
What this highly-energetic, reverend and ascetic twice-born one devoted to the study of the Vedas, asks for, will be given him without and pride.
A Brahmana represents the highest energy and the highest devotion; and it is in virtue of the devoutness of the Brahmanas that the sun shines in the heavens.
Disregarding those that deserve honour, the great Asura, Vatapi, as well Talajangha, met with destruction by virtue of the curse of the Brahmanas.
O child, now this highly fortunate one is entrusted to your care. You should be particularly careful in ministering to him.
O daughter, I am aware, that since your very infancy you have been ever attentive to the Brahmanas, all your superiors, all the servants, friends, relations, your mothers and myself. You have a proper regard for every one.
O girl of faultless proportions, on account of your good dealings no one in the city or in the palace, even none of your servants, is displeased with you.
I have, therefore, thought you fit for the ministration of the Brahmanas, who as a rule, are of irritable temper. O Pritha, you are a girl (yet) and my daughter by adoption.
You have sprung from the race of the Vrishnis and are the beloved daughter of Shura. Formerly, your father himself gladly made you over to me.
You are the sister of Vasudeva and the foremost of my daughter. You are my daughter in virtue of the promises made by your father that he should give his first born to me.
Born in such a line and brought up in this race, you have like a lotus, transferred from one lake to another, attained to one blissful state from another.
O beautiful girl, women, especially those that are born in low families, although they are with great difficulty kept under restraint, are generally of deformed character on account of their unripe age.
O Pritha, you have been born in a kingly line and you are gifted with a wonderful beauty. And O girl, you are graced with every accomplishment.
So, O damsel, O Pritha, giving up your pride, haughtiness and the sense of your high position, you will minister to this Brahmana capable of bestowing boons. In that case you will surely be blessed.
By acting in such a way, O auspicious and sinless girl, you will certainly attain to blissfulness. But if you stir up the wrath of this foremost of the twice born ones, he will consume my entire race."
Kunti said:
"O king of kings, agreeably to your promise, I will, by restraining my senses, wait upon and minister to that Brahmana. I am speaking no falsehood (in this respect).
To worship the Brahmanas is my habit. And as this is agreeable to you, it will lead to my highest good.
He will never (have any cause to) be angry with me whether the worshipful one comes in the morning or in the evening or during the night or at midnight.
O king of kings, O best of men, it is highly beneficial to me to worship the twice-born ones, to carry out your commands and to do good to you.
O foremost of kings, rest assured of it. I am telling you truly that the best of Brahmanas dwelling in your house will not in any way be dissatisfied.
I will pay (particular) attention to what is agreeable to this Brahmana and to what is beneficial to you. Therefore O king, give up your mental anxiety.
The Brahmanas, O lord of the earth, are highly fortunate and when pleased are capable of bestowing salvation. But if displeased, they become (instruments) for destruction.
I, who am well aware of this, will propitiate this foremost of Brahmanas, And O king, you will never, for any act of mine, experience any trouble from that most exalted of Brahmanas.
O foremost of kings, owing to the faults of the kings, the twice-born ones become the instruments of their misfortune as formerly Chyavana had become on account of the acts of Sukanya.
Agreeably to your instructions with regard to this Brahmana, I will serve him with great regularity, O king of kings."
And when she said thus repeatedly, the king encouraged and embraced her and then instructed her minutely as to what she ought to do.
"O gentle and blameless girl, you will act in this way, without any fear, for my welfare, for your good and for the welfare of the race."
The King said:
Saying this, the highly-renowned Kuntibhoja, devoted to the Brahmanas, made over his daughter Pritha to that twice-born one.
(Saying), "O Brahmana, this is my daughter (Pritha) of tender years and reared in luxury. If she commits any fault, do not mind it.
The highly renowned Brahmanas do not get angry with old men, ascetics and children, even if they repeatedly offend them.
The twice-born ones again ought to pardon even a very serious offence; and the best of Brahmanas should accept that worship which is offered to the best of one's ability and exertion.
And that Brahmana having said "be it so," the king with a merry mind placed at his disposal a suite of apartments white as the swan or the ray of the moon.
And in the fire-room the king placed a resplendent seat especially made for him and also all sorts of food and other articles of the same good quality.
And driving away her idleness and pride, the princess began to exert herself with the utmost care for the service of the Brahmana.
And going to the Brahmana there (in the fire-room) the chaste Pritha, observant of purity, duly ministering to him as if he were a god, pleased him highly.
Vaishampayana said:
O great monarch, that damsel observant of vows, began with a pure heart, to propitiate that vow observing Brahmana.
O king of kings, that foremost of Brahmanas sometimes saying "I will come in the morning" made his appearance in the evening or at night.
(But) that damsel at all hours entertained him with excellent food, drink and bed.
And her hospitality towards him as regards his food, seat and bed increased rather than decreased day by day.
Even if the Brahmana reproved, found fault with and spoke harsh words, to her, Pritha did not do anything disagreeable to him.
At several times the Brahmana came after the appointed time or did never come at all and (on many occasions) asked for food when it could only be procured with utmost difficulty.
(But at all these times) Pritha said "everything is ready," and placed the meal before him. And like a disciple, like a daughter or like a sister, with a pure heart.
That faultless jewel of a damsel, O king of kings, caused the satisfaction of that foremost of the Brahmanas as he liked.
That most exalted of the twice-born ones was highly pleased with her manners and character and on account of her ministrations tried his very best for her welfare.
And O Bharata, her father asked her every morning "O daughter, is the Brahmana satisfied with your ministrations?"
And that renowned damsel replied "yes very much". Thereupon, the high-minded Kuntibhoja felt a great joy.
When on the expiration of a whole year, that best of devotees could not find any cause to be dissatisfied with Pritha, devoted to his service.
That Brahmana, then, with a joyful heart said to her "O gentle and graceful maid, I have been highly pleased with your ministrations.
O auspicious girl, ask for (such) a boon as is very difficult for men to receive in this word, by virtue of which you will be able to ecclipse all the ladies in fame.
Kunti said:
O best of those versed in the Vedas, all my desires have been gratified in as much as you as well as my father are pleased with me. So, O Brahmana, I think I have already received boons.
The Brahmana said:
O gentle girl of sweet smiles, if you do not desire for boons from me, then take this Mantra for invoking the gods.
Whatever god you may invoke by (uttering) this Mantra, he will be, O gentle girl, quite under your control.
Whether he desires or not, that god, (whom you may invoke) by virtue of the mantra (will come to you) in a gentle guise and like a slave will be subject to you.
Vaishampayana said:
Then O king, afraid of being cursed by that foremost of the twice-born ones, that faultless girl could not refuse him a second time.
Then, O monarch, that Brahmana initiated that girl of faultless proportions into the Mantras, placed in the beginning of the Atharvaveda.
O lord of kings, having thus initiated her (into the mantras), he said to Kuntibhoja, "O Monarch, being always duly worshipped and gratified by your daughter I have lived happily in your house. I will now depart". Saying this he vanished away.
The king was wonder-struck at beholding him vanish at that very spot. He then properly adored Pritha.
That best of the twice-born ones having gone away on some other business, the maiden began to think of the efficacy or otherwise of the Mantras.
"Of what manner are these Mantras imparted to me by that high-souled one? I shall soon test their efficacy."
While thus musing (within herself) she suddenly perceived that she attained puberty. Having attained maturity during her maiden-hood, the girl was covered with shame.
And as she was seated on a costly bed in her room she beheld the sun's disc rising in the east.
And both the mind and the eye of that slender-waisted girl were steadfastly fixed on the solar orb. She did not feel satiety at beholding the beauty of the morning sun.
She was, then, all on a sudden gifted with celestials sight. And she perceived the deity of divine form clad in armour and decked with ear-rings.
O lord of men, her curiosity was then excited to test the efficacy of the Mantras; and the maiden made up her mind to invoke that god.
Having gone through Pranayam, she invoked the author of the day. And, O king, the sun too speedily appeared before her.
His complexion was yellow like honey, he had mighty arms and his neck resembled a conch. And wearing bracelets and a diadem he came as if setting ablaze all the directions.
Having recourse to Yoga he divided himself in twain, one of which began to impart heat and the other appeared (before Kunti). He then addressed Kunti in very sweet words thus,
Gentle lady, drawn by the power of your Mantras, I have come under your power. Now that I have been subject to your power, tell me, Queen, what I shall do. I shall do whatever you may command me.
Kunti said:
O god, go to that place from which you have come. It is through curiosity that you have been invoked. O worshipful one, pardon me (for my folly).
Surya said:
O slender-waisted damsel, I will go away as you tell me. (But) it is not proper to send away a deity in vain after having invoked him.
O fortunate damsel, your desire is to have from Surya a son, of unrivalled prowess in the world and furnished with a coat-of-mail and ear-rings.
O maid, endued with the gait of an elephant, surrender yourself to me. O damsel, you will then, have a son as you desire.
O damsel of sweet smiles, I will go away after having enjoyed you. If you today do not comply with my words and gratify my desire, I will angrily curse you, that Brahmana and your father also. And I will undoubtedly consume them all for your fault.
I will severely chastise both your stupid father who is unaware of this offence on your part and that Brahmana who, without knowing your character and manners has imparted the mantras to you. All the gods in heaven with Purandara at their head.
O lady, seeing me deceived by you are laughing at me. Behold those celestials with your divine sight, which I bestowed on you before, in virtue of which you were able to see me.
Vaishampayana said:
Then the king's daughter, saw in the heavens those celestials stationed in their respective places, as she had seen before Aditya endued with rays and great effulgence.
Beholding them, the maiden was covered with shame. And being alarmed, the damsel spoke these words to Surya "O lord of rays, go to your own place. This outrage on your part is greatly distressing to me as I am a maiden.
Father, mother and other superiors only are competent to bestow my person. I will not surrender my virtue. In this world keeping their bodies (pure) is considered to be the highest duty on the part of women.
O deity possessed of the wealth of effulgence, in order to test the potency of the Mantras, I have, through mere childish curiosity, invoked you. O god, you should pardon me, considering that it has been done by a mere girl."
Surya said:
It is on the consideration that you are a mere girl, that I am entreating you (thus). But others can not expect this from me. O damsel, O Kunti, surrender your person to me. O timid girl, you will then surely attain to peacefulness.
O timid girl, when you have invoked me by the help of the mantras, I should not go away in vain without enjoying you.
If, O damsel of faultless proportions, I go away (thus), I shall be the laughing stock of the whole world and an object of ridicule with the celestials.
Therefore, surrender yourself to me. You will then have a son like myself and will undoubtedly be extolled in all the worlds.
Vaishampayana said:
Though that high-mihded damsel spoke very many sweet words (to Surya) she could by no means soften him of a thousand rays.
And when all the entreaties of that maiden to the dispeller of darkness were unavailing, afraid other curse she long meditated thus
"How may my unoffending father and that Brahmana be saved from the curse of the wrathful Vibhavasu on my account?
Although energy and asceticism are destructive of sins, yet even honest persons of tender years, through foolishness ought not to draw them near.
(By acting foolishly) I have been today seriously alarmed and have been placed entirely in the power (of Surya). How can I myself (without the consent of my guardians) do this sinful act, the surrender of my person (to him)"?
Vaishampayana said:
Afraid of (his) curse she reflected much in her mind. Her limbs were quite paralysed and she was repeatedly at a loss as to how to act.
O foremost of kings, O lord of the world, afraid of the censure of her friends and afflicted with the fear of curse, she spoke to that deity these words tremulous with bashfulness.
Kunti said:
O god, my father is alive and so also my mother and friends. And since they are (still) living, this violation of duty (on my part) is not allowable.
If, O god, I hold this unlawful intercourse with you, then the reputation of this race will be destroyed for my sake.
Or if you consider it a virtue, I will then, O best of those that shed heat, gratify your desire even without being given away to you by my friends.
As O irrepressible one, the virtue, the reputation, the renown and the life of all embodied beings are established in you, may I remain chaste after having yielded my person to you.
Surya said:
O beautiful damsel of sweet smiles, neither your father, nor your mother nor your superiors are competent to bestow you. May you be happy. Hear what I say.
O damsel, the term Kanya, derived from the root Kama (to desire) is applied to a maiden, because she desires (in have intercourse with) every body. Therefore, fair-hipped girl of excellent complexion, she is free (to act as she chooses) in this world.
You will, O beauteous girl, on no account fall away from virtue (by satisfying my desire). How can I, who seek the welfare of everybody commit an act of sin?
O fair complexioned girl, it is the human nature that all men and women should be without restraint. And it is asserted that the contrary (condition) is (its) perversion.
You will also remain a virgin even after having held intercourse with me and your son will be of mighty arms and high renown.
Kunti said:
O dispeller of all darkness, if I have a son by you, may he be heroic, mighty-armed, highly-powerful and furnished with a coat-of-mail and ear-rings.
Surya said:
Gentle maiden, your (son) will be mighty-armed, furnished with ear-rings and an impenetrable and celestials armour made of Amrita.
Kunti said:
If both the ear-rings and the armour of the son you will beget on me, be made of Amrita, then, O god, you may enjoy me, as your worshipful self has said. And may he (the son) be powerful, beautiful, strong energetic and virtuous like you.
Surya said:
O queen, O beauteous and timid damsel, I will bestow on him these ear-rings which were given to me by Aditi and also this excellent armour.
Kunti said :
O adorable one, it is very well. O lord of rays, if I have such a son as you say, then I shall gratify your desire.
Vaishampayana said:
Having said to her "be it so" that ranger of sky, the enemy of Svarbhanu, with his soul absorbed in yoga entered into Kunti and touched her on the naval.
Thereupon, that damsel became stupefied by the energy of the sun and fell down on her bed insensible.
Surya said:
O fair-hipped maiden, I shall now disappear. You will give birth to a son who will be the foremost of all wielders of arms.
Vaishampayana said:
Then, O king of kings, that maiden said bashfully to the highly resplendent Surya who was about to go away "may it be so."
Thus the daughter of Kuntiraja, having bashfully asked for a son from Vivasvata fell down unconscious on her auspicious bed like a broken creeper.
And that deity of hot rays making her insensible by his energy placed himself within her by his yoga power. But Bhanu did not corrupt her. The girl, then (i.e. when the sun had departed) recovered her senses.
Vaishampayana said:
Then, O lord of the earth, like the lord of the stars in the heavens, Pritha conceived a son on the first day of the lighted fortnight during the tenth month.
That fair-hipped damsel afraid of the censure of her friends concealed her pregnancy, so that no body was aware other real state.
And as that girl lived in the apartments of maidens, no other women knew her condition except her nurse's daughter who was well-skilled in ministrations.
(And) in time that damsel of excellent complexion by the favour of that god, Surya, was delivered of a son beautiful as a celestials.
And like his father he was clad in armour, adorned with brilliant golden ear-rings, endued with leonine eyes and bovine shoulders.
And as soon as her delivery took place that girl, in consultation with her nurse, placed her child in a water-proof basket, covered all over with sheets, made of wicker work, smooth, comfortable and furnished with a beautiful pillow. And with tearful eyes she consigned it to the (waters of) the river Ashva.
O king of kings, though she knew that it was not proper for a maiden to be big with child, yet from her affection towards the child she wept bitterly.
And hear the words which Kunti uttered while she, weeping bitterly, consigned the basket to the waters of the river Ashva.
"O son, may all the creatures inhabiting the firmament, the earth, the celestials regions and the water contribute to your welfare.
May all your ways be auspicious and unobstructed. And, O son, may the minds of those that may meet with you, be not inclined to enmity towards you.
On the waters may king Varuna, the lord of waters, protect you. And similarly may Pavana (the wind-god) who ranges in the sky and wanders everywhere protect you in the sky.
O son, may your father, the foremost of those that shed heat and by whom you have been begotten on me by the ordinance of Destiny preserve you everywhere.
And may you be protected by the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas the Vishvadevas, the Marutas and the cardinal points together with their guardians and Indra.
And may all the gods protect you in every state whether favourable or adverse. Even in foreign countries I shall be able to recognise you on account of your coat-of-mail.
Blessed is indeed your divine father, Bhanu, having effulgence for his wealth, who by means of his celestials sight, beholds you going down the stream.
And O son of a deity, that lady is also blessed who will adopt you as her son and feed you from her breast when you are thirsty.
What a dream she has dreamed who will adopt for her son you who are resplendent as the sun, clad in a celestials armour, adorned with celestials ear-rings, endued with broad and expansive eyes like lotuses, possessed of a complexion bright as the copper-coloured lotus-leaves, graced with a beautiful forehead and beautiful hair.
They are also blessed, O son, who will behold you crawl on the ground covered with dust and who will hear your sweet inarticulate speech.
Blessed are they too, who will see you arrive at manhood like a mained lion of the Himalayan forests.
Having, O king, thus wept long and bitterly, Pritha then consigned the basket to the waters of the river Ashva.
And, O monarch, accompanied by her nurse the lotus-eyed Pritha desirous of beholding her son again and again and overpowered with grief for her son and weeping piteously, at night.
Laid the basket (on the waters of the Ashva) and entered into the palace with a heavy heart lest her father might know (the secret).
(On the other hand) the basket came from the Ashva to the river Charmavati, from the Charmavati to the Yamuna and thence to the Ganga.
And that basket containing the child, borne along the waves of the Ganga arrived at the city of Champa in the Suta territory.
And that child was kept alive on account of the celestials mail and ear-rings both made of Amrita and also on account of the ordinance of Destiny.
Vaishampayana said:
At this time one Adhiratha of the Suta tribe and a friend of Dhritarashthra's accompanied by his wife came to the Jahnavi (Ganga).
O monarch, his wife named Radha was peerless in beauty on earth. That highly fortunate lady had no son.
Although, she made the very best endeavours to obtain one. She, then, beheld drifting along the stream, a basket.
Containing things preventive of dangers and dyed with saffron. And (that basket) was carried before her by the waves of the Janhavi.
And that lady, impelled by curiosity had it seized. She then told all to Adhiratha of the Suta caste.
He (Adhiratha) then carried the basket from the water-side and had it opened by instruments. And therein he beheld a boy.
(Beautiful) as the morning sun, clad in a golden armour and with a beautiful face adorned with brilliant ear-rings.
That Suta together with his wife with eyes expanded in wonder, took the infant on his lap and spoke these words to her.
"O timid lady, since my very birth I have never witnessed such a marvel. I think, this boy that has come to us, is begotten by a celestials,
Surely, considering that I have no son, the gods have sent this child to me." O lord of the earth, saying this, he made over the child to Radha.
Thereupon, Radha duly adopted that body of celestials appearance and birth, endued with the splendour of the filaments of lotuses and possessed of excellent grace.
She brought him properly up and that mighty boy too began to grow up. Since that time he (Adhiratha) had other sons begotten by him.
The twice-born ones seeing the boy clad in a golden armour and adorned with golden ear-rings called him Vasusena.
Thus did the boy of immeasurable strength and splendour come to be known as the son of a charioteer and was styled Vasusena and Vrisha.
That the powerful child, clad in celestials armour (known as) the eldest son of the charioteer (Adhiratha) was growing up in the country of the Angas, was known to Pritha through her spies.
When the charioteer saw that his son in course of time had grown up, he sent him to the city of Hastina.
There the powerful youth lived with Drona in order to learn weapons and made friends with Duryodhana.
Having obtained from Drona, Kripa and Rama (i.e. Parashurama), all the four kinds of weapons, he (Karna) became celebrated in the world as a great bowman.
Having contracted a friendship with the son of Dhritarashtra, he became hostile to the Parthas and was always desirous of fighting with the high-souled Falguna.
And O lord of the earth, since they first saw each other, he (Karna) challenged Arjuna and Arjuna too challenged him.
And O great king, that Karna begotten by him on Kunti was growing up in the race of the Sutas, was, no doubt known to Surya.
Seeing that he was furnished with armour and ear-rings, Yudhishthira was much pained thinking that he was unslayable in battle.
O king of kings, when at noon Karna rose from the water and worshipped the author of the day possessed of rays with joined palms, the Brahmanas prayed to him for riches. And at that time there was nothing that he would not bestow on the twice-born ones.
(For this reason) disguised as a Brahmana Indra came to him and said "give me alms." And the son of Radha replied to him "you are welcome."
Vaishampayana said:
Beholding the king of the celestials disguised as a Brahmana come (to him), (Karna) said "you are right welcome." But he could not divine his intentions.
Then the (adopted) son of Adhiratha said to that Brahmana "Between beautiful damsels adorned with golden necklaces and villages full of cows which shall I give you?"
The Brahmana said:
I do not wish to have beauteous damsels with gold necklaces or other agreeable things. Give these (things) to those that beg them.
O sinless one, if you truly observe your vow then cut off (from your body) this armour and these ear-rings born with you and bestow them on me.
O tormentor of foes, I wish you will very soon give them to me, as I consider this one gain to be the best of all others.
Karna said:
O Brahmana, I will bestow on you homestead lands, beauteous women, cows and (sufficient) plots of land which will enable you to maintain yourself as long as you live.
Vaishampayana said:
O best of the Bharatas, though Karna thus entreated that twice-born one with various words, yet he (the Brahmana) did not crave any other boon.
Though he tried his very best to propitiate him and though he worshipped him duly, yet that best of the twice-born ones did not beg any other boon.
When that most exalted of the twice-born ones did not ask for any other boon, the son of Radha then addressed him again with a smile,
"O Brahmana, by virtue of my coat-of-mail, which I have been born with and of the two ear-rings which have sprung from Amrita, I am indestructible by (all) the worlds. I will not, therefore, part with them.
O most exalted of the Brahmanas, may you be in peace. Accept from me the extensive and peaceful empire of the world with its thorns (enemies) weeded out.
Divested of my ear-rings and the armour with which I was born, O best of the Brahmanas, I shall be liable to be killed by my enemies.
Vaishampayana said:
When the exalted chastiser of the (Asura) Paka did not ask for any other boon, then Karna smilingly said to him again these words.
"O lord, O god of gods, I knew before that you (would come). O Shakra, it is not proper for me to bestow on you a boon uselessly.
(Because) you are the very lord of the celestials. It is for you to confer boons on me as you are the creator and lord of all other creators.
If, O god, I give you my ear-rings and armour, I shall be liable to be killed and you, too will be an object of ridicule.
Therefore, O Shakra, take my ear-rings and excellent armour in exchange (for boons to be conferred on me by you). Else I will in no way, give (them to you).
Shakra said:
Before I came to you, Ravi (the sun) was aware of my intentions. There is no doubt that he has told you all.
O son, O Karna, let it be what you desire, With the exception of my Vajra (thunderbolt) tell me what you desire.
Vaishampayana said:
Thereupon, Karna gladly approached Vasava. And desirous of obtaining an infallible dart, he, with his purposes (nearly) gratified spoke.
Karna said:
In exchange for my armour and ear-rings, O Vasava, bestow on me an infallible dart, destructive of hostile forces when drawn up in battle-array.
Thereupon, O lord of the earth, Vasava reflecting a moment with in his mind for the dart, spoke to Karna these words.
Bestow on me your ear-rings and the armour born with your body and (then) O Karna, take the dart under the (following) condition.
This infallible dart, when I am engaged in slaughtering the Daityas, hurled by my hand kills hundreds of enemies and then returns to my hand.
But, O charioteer's son, hurled by your hand, it shall kill one powerful enemy (of
yours), roaring and hot as fire and shall then return to me.
Karna said:
I am desirous of killing in mighty encounter (only) one enemy, roaring and furious, who may strike terror into me.
Indra said:
You will kill one powerful and roaring enemy in battle. But he whom you seek (to kill) is protected by a high-souled being.
He is protected by Krishna who is styled by those learned in the Vedas, the unvanquished Boar and the inconceivable Narayana.
Karna said:
Notwithstanding it is so, O adorable one, give me an infallible dart, destructive of a heroic person, wherewith I can kill a mighty (foe).
Cutting the ear-rings and the mail from my body, I will give them to you. But let not my limbs, thus wounded, look ugly.
Indra said:
O Karna, since you are desirous of observing the truth, you will not look ugly nor will there be any scars on your body.
O best of speakers, O Karna, you will be again endued with the complexion and energy of your father.
If you hurl this infallible dart maddened with rage when your life is not in danger and when you have other weapons with you, then it shall fall upon yourself.
Karna said:
I tell you truly, O Shakra, that according to your directions I will hurl this Vasavi weapon only when my life is in great jeopardy.
Vaishampayana said:
Then, O lord of the earth, accepting that blazing dart, Karna began to cut off his body with sharp weapons.
The gods, the mortals and the Danavas, seeing Karna cut off his own body, began to roar like lions, because no signs of contortions were visible on his face.
Seeing that hero among men, Karna, smile again and again even while cutting off his body, the celestials drums began to sound and celestials flowers were showered (upon his head).
Then Karna cutting off his excellent mail from his body, when it was still wet, gave it to Vasava. And he also cut off his ear-rings from his ear and give them to him. It is on this account that he was styled Karna.
Thus deceiving Karna but making him famous in the world, Shakra smilingly considered that he had accomplished the purpose of the Pandavas. He then soared to the heavens.
Hearing that Karna was thus deceived, all the sons of Dhritarashtra were dejected and became (as dispirited) as if their pride was wounded. The Parthas, (on the other hand) hearing that the son of Suta was reduced to such a state rejoiced (greatly).
Janamejaya said:
Where did the heroic Pandavas dwell (at that time) and from whom did they receive this joyful news and what did they do after the twelve years of their exile? O adorable one, relate all this to me.
Vaishampayana said:
Those heroic men having rescued Krishna, chastised the chief of the Sindhus, heard from Markandeya the old storied about the celestials and the Rishis and passed the entire period of their painful forest life, returned from their hermitage in Kamyaka to the sacred Dvaiytavana together with the Brahmanas, their cars, followers, charioteers, the citizens (who had followed them to the forest) and their cows.
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