Chapter 146

“Vaisampayana said (After Kunti had said this), Karna heard anaffectionate voice issued out of the solar circle. Coming from a greatdistance, that voice was uttered by Surya himself with paternalaffection. (And it said)–The words said by Pritha are true. O Karna, actaccording to the words of thy mother. O tiger among men, great good willresult to thee if thou fully followest those words.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Though, thus addressed by his mother, and byalso his father Surya himself, Karna’s heart did not yet waver, for hewas firmly devoted to truth. And he said, ‘O Kshatriya lady, I cannotadmit what thou hast said, viz., that obedience to thy commandsconstituteth (in my case) the highest of my duties. O mother, I wasabandoned by thee as soon as I was born. This great injury, involvingrisk to life itself, that thou didst me, hath been destructive of myachievements and fame. If, indeed, I am a Kshatriya, I have, for thee,been deprived of all the rites of a Kshatriya. What enemy would have doneme a greater injury? Without showing me mercy, when thou shouldst haveshown it, and having kept me divested of all the rites (that areobligatory in consequence of the order of my birth), thou wouldsthowever, lay thy command on me today! Thou hadst never before sought mygood as a mother should. Thou addressest me today, however, desiring todo good to thyself. Who is there that would not be afraid of Dhananjayahaving Krishna with him (for the driver of his car)? If, therefore, I gotoday unto the Parthas, who is there that would not regard me as doing sofrom fright? Hitherto, nobody knew me to be their brother. If, giving outon the eve of battle that I am their brother, I go to the Pandavas, whatwould all the Kshatriyas say? Furnished with every object of desire, andworshipped by them with a view to make me happy, how can I render thatfriendship of Dhritarashtra’s sons utterly futile? Having provokedhostilities with others, they always wait on me respectfully, and alwaysbow down to me, as the Vasus bow down to Vasava. They think that aided bymy might, they are capable of encountering the foe. How can I thenfrustrate that cherished hope of theirs? With me as their boat, theydesire to cross the impassable ocean of battle. How can I then abandonthem that are desirous of crossing that ocean which hath no other ferry?This is the time when all those have been supported by Dhritarashtra’ssons should exert themselves for their masters. I shall certainly act forthem, reckless of even my life. Those sinful men of unsteady heart, who,well-fed and well-furnished (with every necessary) by their masters, undothe benefit received by them when the time cometh for paying back, arethieves of their master’s cakes, have neither this nor the other worldfor them. I will not speak deceitfully unto thee. For the sake ofDhritarashtra’s son, I shall fight against thy sons to the best of mystrength and might. I must not, however, abandon kindness and the conductthat becometh the good. Thy words, therefore, however beneficial cannotbe obeyed by me now. This thy solicitation to me will not yet befruitless. Except Arjuna, thy other sons, Yudhishthira, Bhima, and thetwins, though capable of being withstood by me in tight and capable alsoof being slain, shall not yet be slain by me. It is with Arjuna alone,among all the combatants of Yudhishthira, that I will fight. SlayingArjuna in battle, I shall achieve great merit, or slain by Savyasachin, Ishall be covered with glory. O famous lady, the number of thy sons willnever be less than five. Five it will always be,–either with me, or withArjuna, and myself slain.’

“Hearing these words of Karna, Kunti who was trembling with grief,embraced her son who was unmoved in consequence of his fortitude, andsaid, ‘Indeed, O Karna, even if what thou sayest seemeth to be possible,the Kauravas will certainly be exterminated. Destiny is all. Thou hast,however, O grinder of foes, granted to four of thy brothers the pledge ofsafety. Let that pledge be borne in thy remembrance at the time ofshooting of weapons in battle.’ And having told all this, Pritha alsoaddressed Karna, saying, ‘Blessed be thou, and let health be thine.’ AndKarna replied unto her, saying, ‘Be it so!’ And they then left the spot,wending in different directions.'”