03.294
Vaiśampāyana said.
The bull, seeing the king of the gods who had come in the guise of a brahmin, said "Welcome," but did not perceive his intention. (03-294-1)
Adhirathi then said to the Brahmin: "(Shall I give) women adorned with golden necklaces, or villages, or many herds of cattle? What shall I give?" (03-294-2)
The Brāhmaṇa said.
I do not wish for golden necklaces, women, or anything else that increases pleasure; let those things be given here to those in need. (03-294-3)
O sinless one, if you are truthful, then cut off this innate armor and these earrings of yours and give them to me. (03-294-4)
O scorcher of foes, I desire this to be given quickly by you. Of all gains, this is regarded by me as the supreme gain. (03-294-5)
Karṇa said.
I will give you earth, a woman, cows, and offerings accumulated over many years, O brāhmaṇa, but I will not give you armor or earrings. (03-294-6)
Vaiśampāyana said:
Thus, although requested in many ways by Karṇa, the twice-born did not ask for any other boon, O best of the Bharatas. (03-294-7)
Consoled and honored as far as possible and according to the proper injunctions, that eminent Brahmin did not wish for any other boon. (03-294-8)
When the best of the twice-born did not choose any other boon, then Rādheya (Karna), as if smiling, spoke to him again. (03-294-9)
O brāhmaṇa, my innate armor and earrings are born from nectar; by them I am invulnerable among the worlds; therefore, I do not give this. (03-294-10)
O noble one, best of Brāhmaṇas, accept from me the vast and secure earthly kingdom, free from all obstacles. (03-294-11)
O best of the twice-born, deprived of my earrings and my inborn armor, I will become vulnerable to being destroyed by enemies. (03-294-12)
When the venerable Indra did not choose any other boon, then Karna, having smiled, again spoke these words to him. (03-294-13)
You are already known to me, O lord of the lords of the gods, O master. But it is not proper for me to give a boon to you in vain, O Indra. (03-294-14)
You are indeed the lord of the gods; by you alone should the boon be given to me. You are also, in truth, the lord and creator of all beings. (03-294-15)
If I give you, O god, the earrings and armor as such, may I be killed and may you also be ridiculed by Indra. (03-294-16)
Therefore, O Śakra, after making an exchange, take the earrings and the finest armor as I wish; otherwise, I would not give them. (03-294-17)
Indra said.
I was known by the Sun earlier when coming to your presence. By him everything has been related to you thus; about this there is no doubt. (03-294-18)
Let it be as you wish, dear Karṇa; except for my thunderbolt, choose whatever else you desire. (03-294-19)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Karṇa, full of joy, approached Indra and, with a fully determined mind, requested the unfailing dart. (03-294-20)
Karna said.
O Indra, grant me armor, earrings, and an unfailing spear that destroys companies of enemies in the forefront of battle. (03-294-21)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, after reflecting for a moment, Indra (Vāsava) spoke a statement into your ear, O protector of the earth, for the sake of empowering you. (3-294-22)
Give me the earrings and the armor that are born of the body; take the ear-spear from me at this very time. (03-294-23)
The unfailing weapon, released from my hand, destroys my enemies by the hundreds and then returns to my hand again as I slay the daityas. (03-294-24)
She, gaining your hand and having slain one powerful enemy who roars and oppresses, will come to me alone, O son of the charioteer. (03-294-25)
Karṇa said;
I desire to slay in great battle only that one enemy who roars, torments, and from whom fear would arise to me. (03-294-26)
Indra said.
You will kill one strong, roaring enemy in battle. But the one whom you desire is protected by the great-souled. (03-294-27)
The one whom the knowers of the Veda call Varāha, Ajita, Hari, Nārāyaṇa, the incomprehensible—by him, by Kṛṣṇa, one is protected. (03-294-28)
Karṇa said.
Even so, let it be, O Lord; for the slaying of that one hero of mine, may there be an unfailing, excellent spear by which I may slay the mighty one. (03-294-29)
But having cut (them off), I shall give you my earrings and armor; and even when my limbs are thus cut, I would feel no revulsion. (03-294-30)
Indra said.
There will not be any revulsion for you, O Karṇa, in any way; nor will there be a wound on your limbs, since you desire not untruth. (03-294-31)
O Karṇa, you will be, again, of the same complexion and splendor as your father, O best of speakers. (03-294-32)
If, among the weapons present, you are inattentive and release even an unfailing one, without doubt, this very weapon will fall upon you. (03-294-33)
Karna said.
Having reached the greatest uncertainty, I will let this Vāsavī go, just as you have requested, O Śakra; truly, I say this to you. (03-294-34)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having seized the blazing spear, O lord of men, he took up a sharp weapon and severed all the limbs. (03-294-35)
Then, seeing him so cutting off his own ear, gods, men, demons, and all assemblies of Siddhas cried out in amazement, for there was truly no agitation in him caused by pain. (03-294-36)
Then divine drums resounded and a shower of heavenly flowers fell from above, seeing Karna—his body cut by weapons—while the heroic man was smiling again and again. (03-294-37)
Then, he cut off the divine armor from his body, still moist, and gave it to Vāsava (Indra). In the same way, Karṇa cut off and gave his earrings; thus, by that act, Vaikartana became Karṇa. (03-294-38)
Then Indra, having deceived and smiled, having bound Karna to worldly fame, considered the work for the Pāṇḍavas accomplished; and then he ascended to heaven. (03-294-39)
Having heard that Karna was deprived, all the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra became dispirited, as if their pride was broken. Hearing that such a state befell the son of a charioteer, the Pāṇḍavas, dwelling in the forest, rejoiced. (03-294-40)
Janamejaya said.
Where are the heroic Pāṇḍavas now? From where did you hear this pleasing news? What did they do after the twelfth year had passed? O Blessed One, please explain all this to me. (03-294-41)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having obtained black salt and dissolved it, together with the brāhmaṇas, they (the Pāṇḍavas) from the Kāmyaka hermitage heard from Mārkaṇḍeya the Purāṇa—the detailed accounts of the deeds of the divine sages. (03-294-42)
They returned with their chariots and followers, together with all the charioteers and family priests. Then the noble heroes, having completely passed through the dreadful forest life, reached the holy Dvaita forest. (03-294-43)
