15.038
Narration of the birth of Karna.
Kunti said.
O venerable one, you are my father-in-law, and even among the gods, you are the divinity. You, my god beyond the gods—listen to my truthful words. (15-38-1)
The ascetic, angry Brāhmaṇa named Durvāsa came to my father's (place) for alms to eat; I satisfied him. (15-38-2)
Through purity, by your abandonment of faults, and by a purified mind, even in great situations for anger, never become angry. (15-38-3)
He, pleased, gave me a boon. I said, "It is done." He then said to me, "Certainly, you must accept it." (15-38-4)
Then, out of fear of a curse, I again addressed that Brāhmaṇa, and he replied to me again, saying, "So be it," (15-38-5)
O auspicious one, you will be the mother of dharma; O beautiful-faced one, the gods whom you invoke will remain under your control. (15-38-6)
Having thus spoken, the Brāhmaṇa disappeared. Then I was astonished. And in all conditions, my memory, O Brāhmaṇa, does not fail. (15-38-7)
Then, standing on the palace terrace, I gazed at the rising sun. Remembering the sage’s words, I longed for the sun. I stayed there with a child’s mind, not realizing the fault in this. (15-38-8)
Then the god, the thousand-rayed Sun, came near me. Dividing his body in two, he placed himself both on the earth and in the sky. With one (form) he heated the worlds, and with the second he came to me. (15-38-9)
He said to me, who was trembling, 'Ask a boon from me.' I bowed my head to him and said, 'Let me go.' (15-38-10)
The Sun said to me, 'Your calling in vain is not right. I will burn you and also the sage who granted you that boon.' (15-38-11)
I protect that brāhmaṇa, who was not at fault, from the curse. Then I said, "Let my son be equal to you, O god." (15-38-12)
Then, having entered me with his brilliance and bewildered me, the Sun said, “A son will be yours,” and thus ascended to heaven. (15-38-13)
Thereafter, I, secretly protecting my father's event within the house, released my secretly born child, my son Karna, into the water. (15-38-14)
Indeed, by the favor of that very god, I again became a maiden, O Brāhmaṇa, just as the sage had said to me. (15-38-15)
Although that son was recognized even by me, deluded as I was, I neglected him; O sage among brāhmaṇas, that burns me, as is well known to you. (15-38-16)
O Lord, if what has been revealed by me is a sin or not a sin, therefore, you are worthy here to remove my fear. (15-38-17)
O sinless one, whatever is known in the heart of you, of this king, may this person obtain that desire today itself, O best of sages. (15-38-18)
Thus addressed, Vyāsa, foremost among knowers of the Veda, replied: "Indeed, all this is exactly true just as you have told me." (15-38-19)
You have not committed any offence; you are no longer in the state of maidenhood. The gods, endowed with sovereignty, indeed enter into bodies. (15-38-20)
There are groups of deities who generate (progeny) in five ways: from thought, by speech, by sight, by touch, and by friction. (15-38-21)
Understand, O Kunti, that human duty is indeed not bound by the law of destiny. Thus, let your mental affliction subside. (15-38-22)
For the strong, everything is proper, everything is pure, everything is righteousness, everything belongs to them. (15-38-23)
