Chapter 111

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘There was amongst the Yadavas a chief namedSura. He was the father of Vasudeva. And he had a daughter called Pritha,who was unrivalled for beauty on earth.

And, O thou of Bharata’s race,Sura, always truthful in speech, gave from friendship this his firstborndaughter unto his childless cousin and friend, the illustriousKuntibhoja–the son of his paternal aunt–pursuant to a former promise.And Pritha in the house of her adoptive father was engaged in lookingafter the duties of hospitality to Brahmanas and other guests. Once shegratified by her attentions the terrible Brahmana of rigid vows, who wasknown by the name of Durvasa and was well-acquainted with the hiddentruths of morality. Gratified with her respectful attentions, the sage,anticipating by his spiritual power the future (season of) distress(consequent upon the curse to be pronounced upon Pandu for hisunrighteous act of slaying a deer while serving its mate) imparted to hera formula of invocation for summoning any of the celestials she liked togive her children. And the Rishi said, ‘Those celestials that thou shallsummon by this Mantra shall certainly approach thee and give theechildren.’ ‘Thus addressed by the Brahmana, the amiable Kunti (Pritha)became curious, and in her maidenhood summoned the god Arka (Sun). And assoon as he pronounced the Mantra, she beheld that effulgent deity–thatbeholder of everything in the world–approaching her. And beholding thatextraordinary sight, the maiden of faultless features was overcome withsurprise. But the god Vivaswat (Sun) approaching her, said, ‘Here I am, Oblack-eyed girl! Tell me what I am to do for thee.’

“Hearing this, Kunti said, ‘O slayer of foes, a certain Brahamana gave methis formula of invocation as a boon, and, O lord, I have summoned theeonly to test its efficacy. For this offence I bow to thee. A woman,whatever be her offence, always deserveth pardon.’ Surya (Sun) replied,’I know that Durvasa hath granted this boon. But cast off thy fears,timid maiden, and grant me thy embraces. Amiable one, my approach cannotbe futile; it must bear fruit. Thou hast summoned me, and if it be fornothing, it shall certainly be regarded as thy transgression.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Vivaswat thus spoke unto her many things with aview to allay her fears, but, O Bharata, the amiable maiden, from modestyand fear of her relatives, consented not to grant his request. And, Obull of Bharata’s race, Arka addressed her again and said, ‘O princess,for my sake, it shall not be sinful for thee to grant my wish.’ Thusspeaking unto the daughter of Kuntibhoja, the illustrious Tapana–theilluminator of the universe–gratified his wish. And of this connectionthere was immediately born a son known all over the world as Karnaaccountred with natural armour and with face brightened by ear-rings. Andthe heroic Karna was the first of all wielders of weapons, blessed withgood fortune, and endued with the beauty of a celestial child. And afterthe birth of this child, the illustrious Tapana granted unto Pritha hermaidenhood and ascended to heaven. And the princess of the Vrishni racebeholding with sorrow that son born of her, reflected intently upon whatwas then the best for her to do. And from fear of her relatives sheresolved to conceal that evidence of her folly. And she cast heroffspring endued with great physical strength into the water. Then thewell-known husband of Radha, of the Suta caste, took up the child thuscast into the water, and he and his wife brought him up as their own son.And Radha and her husband bestowed on him the name of Vasusena (born withwealth) because he was born with a natural armour and ear-rings. Andendued as he was born with great strength, as he grew up, he becameskilled in all weapons. Possessed of great energy, he used to adore thesun until his back was heated by his rays (i.e., from dawn to midday),and during the hours of worship, there was nothing on earth that theheroic and intelligent Vasusena would not give unto the Brahmanas. AndIndra desirous of benefiting his own son Phalguni (Arjuna), assuming theform of a Brahmana, approached Vasusena on one occasion and begged of himhis natural armour. Thus asked Karna took off his natural armour, andjoining his hands in reverence gave it unto Indra in the guise of aBrahmana. And the chief of the celestials accepted the gift and wasexceedingly gratified with Karna’s liberality. He therefore, gave untohim a fine dart, saying, ‘That one (and one only) among the celestials,the Asuras, men, the Gandharvas, the Nagas, and the Rakshasas, whom thoudesirest to conquer, shall be certainly slain with this dart.’

“The son of Surya was before this known by the name of Vasusena. Butsince he cut off his natural armour, he came to be called Karna (thecutter or peeler of his own cover).'”