03.286
Karṇa said.
O Divine One, I am your devotee just as you know me, O lord of the cowherds. In the same way, O supreme effulgent one, I do not regard any other god whatsoever. (03-286-1)
I have no wives, no sons, not even myself or friends; none are as always dear to me with devotion as you, O lord of cows, are to me. (03-286-2)
There is no doubt that great souls and devotees perform the desired devotion; you know this as well, O Bhāskara. (03-286-3)
Karṇa is beloved and a devotee to me; there is no other deity in heaven (for me). Thus, having determined this, the Lord said it for my benefit. (03-286-4)
Again and again, bowing my head and pleading, I request; thus I say, O blazing one, you should pardon me. (03-286-5)
I do not fear death as much as I fear speaking falsehood, especially towards all always-righteous twice-born (Brahmins, etc.). Even if it is a matter of giving my own life, I have no hesitation in this. (03-286-6)
O god, what you say to me regarding Arjuna, O Bhāskara, may the mental pain caused by affliction in you subside. With regard to Arjuna, I too declare: I will defeat Arjuna in battle. (03-286-7)
O Lord, you too know well my own great power of weapons, which I have acquired from Jāmadagnya (Parashurāma) and likewise from the high-souled Droṇa. (03-286-8)
Grant this, O best of the gods; this is my vow— even to one who begs, even to Vajrin, I would give my own life. (03-286-9)
The Sun said.
If, dear one, you will give these auspicious earrings to Indra, you too then should tell him this for the purpose of victory, O mighty one. (03-286-10)
You should verily hand over the earrings to Śatakratu (Indra) as required by observance; for, as long as you are endowed with the two earrings, you are invulnerable among all beings. (03-286-11)
The destroyer of Dānavas, indeed, through Arjuna seeks your destruction; O child, in battle he desires to seize your earrings. (03-286-12)
So you too, having worshipped him with pleasant words again and again, should request Purandara, the lord of the gods, for an unfailing purpose. (03-286-13)
Grant me the unfailing spear that destroys enemies; I will give you, O thousand-eyed one, earrings and excellent armor. (03-286-14)
Therefore, in this way, following the rule, you should give the earrings to Śakra. With them, you will defeat your enemies in battle against Karṇa. (03-286-15)
O mighty-armed one, without slaying the enemies, one cannot gain tribute again. Such power of the lord of the gods exists in hundreds and thousands. (03-286-16)
Vaiśampāyana said.
After speaking thus, the thousand-rayed Sun suddenly vanished. Afterwards, at the completion of his prayer, Karṇa reported his dream to Sūrya. (03-286-17)
Then the bull reported to him all that had been seen, as it truly was, just as it had been told by both at night, in sequential order. (03-286-18)
Having heard that, the exalted god, the radiant one, destroyer of Svarbhānu—the Sun, smiling as if, spoke to Karṇa, “so be it.” (03-286-19)
Then, having realized the true nature of things, Karna, the destroyer of enemy heroes, desiring only the śakti weapon, awaited the chance to use the Indra-given weapon. (03-286-20)
