“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘There was among the
Yadavas a chief named Shoora. He was the father of Vasudeva (Sri Krishna’s father). He
had a daughter called Pritha, who was unrivalled for beauty on earth. O you of
Bharata's race (Janamejaya), Shoora,
always truthful in speech, gave from friendship this his firstborn daughter to
his childless cousin and friend, the illustrious Kuntibhoja -- the son of his
paternal aunt -- following to a former promise. Pritha in the house of her
adoptive father (King Kuntibhoja) was
engaged in looking after the duties of hospitality to Brahmanas and other
guests. Once she pleased by her attentions the terrible Brahmana of rigid vows (Vrata
in Sanskrit), who was known by the name
of Durvaasa and was well-familiar with the hidden truths of morality. Pleased
with her respectful attentions, the sage (Durvaasa), anticipating by his spiritual power the future (season of) distress (of Pritha) imparted to her a mantra of invocation for
calling any of the Devas she liked to give her children.
“The Rishi (Durvaasa) said, ‘Those Devas that you shall call by
this Mantra shall certainly approach you and give you children.’
“Thus addressed by the Brahmana (Durvaasa), the friendly
Kunti (Pritha) became curious, and
in her maidenhood (virginity)
summoned the Arka Deva (the Sun God).
As soon as he pronounced the Mantra, she saw that brilliant deity -- that
beholder of everything in the world -- approaching her. Seeing that
extraordinary sight, the lady of faultless features (Kunti) was overcome with surprise. But the Deva
Vivaswat (the Sun God) approaching
her, said, ‘Here I am, O black-eyed girl! Tell me what I am to do for you.’
“Hearing this, Kunti said, ‘O slayer of enemies (Lord Surya), a certain Brahmana
gave me this mantra of invocation as a boon, and, O lord, I have summoned you
only to test its ability. For this offence, I bow to you. A woman, whatever be her offence, always deserves pardon.’
“Surya (the Sun) replied, ‘I know that Durvasa has granted
this boon. But remove your fears, O faint-hearted lady, and grant me your
embraces. Friendly one, my approach cannot be fruitless; it must bear fruit. You
have summoned me, and if it be for nothing, it shall certainly be regarded as your
sin.’
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'Vivaswat (Lord Surya) thus spoke to
her many things with a view to reduce her fears, but, O Bharata (Janamejaya), the friendly lady (Kunti), from modesty and fear of her relatives,
consented not to grant his request. O bull of Bharata's race (Janamejaya), Arka (Lord Surya) addressed her again and said, ‘O princess,
for my sake, it shall not be sinful for you to grant my wish.’
“Thus speaking to the daughter of Kuntibhoja, the
illustrious Tapana (Lord Surya) -- the illuminator of the universe -- satisfied his wish. Of this
connection, there was immediately born a son known all over the world as Karna dressed
with natural armour and with face brightened by ear-rings. The heroic Karna was
the first of all wielders of weapons, blessed with good fortune, and endued
with the beauty of a divine child. After the birth of this child, the
illustrious Tapana (Lord Surya) granted
to Pritha (Kunti) her maidenhood (virginity)
and ascended to heaven.
“The princess of the Vrishni race (Kunti) seeing with sorrow
that son born of her, thought intently upon what was then the best for her to
do. From fear of her relatives, she resolved to hide that evidence of her
foolishness. She let her offspring endued with great physical strength into the
water. Then the well-known husband of Radha took up the child thus let into the
water, and he and his wife brought him up as their own son. Radha and her
husband gave on him the name of Vasushena (born with wealth) because he was born with a natural armour
and ear-rings. Endued as he was born with great strength, as he grew up, he
became skilled in all weapons.
“Possessed of great energy, he used to adore (Lord Surya) 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 the
heroic and intelligent Vasushena would not give to the Brahmanas. (Lord) Indra desirous of benefiting his own son
Phalguna (Arjuna), assuming the form
of a Brahmana, approached Vasushena on one occasion and begged of him his natural
armour and ear rings. Thus asked Karna took off his natural armour, and joining
his hands in respect gave it to (Lord)
Indra in the guise of a Brahmana. The chief of Devas (Lord Indra) accepted the gift and was exceedingly satisfied
with Karna's charity. He therefore, gave to him a fine weapon (Astra in
Sanskrit), saying, ‘That one among Devas,
Asuras, men, Gandharvas, Nagas, and the Rakshasas, whom you desire to conquer,
shall be certainly slain with this weapon.’
“The son of (Lord) Surya was before this known by the name of
Vasushena. But since he cut off his natural armour and ear rings, he came to be
called Karna (the cutter or peeler of his own cover).’”
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