The Secret of Karna’s Birth – Stories from Aranyaka Parva

In the last part of the Aranyaka Parva, Rishi Vaisampayana narrated how Indra planned to take Karna’s golden armor. Surya Deva appeared in Karna’s dreams to warn him. When Karna didn’t listen, Surya Deva told him to ask Indra for the shakti missile in exchange for the armor. At this point, King Janamejaya asked Vaisampayana about the armor, the earrings, and the secret of Karna’s birth. 

In the earlier times, a Brahmin visited the kingdom of Kuntibhoja. He was a powerful and radiant rishi with matted hair and a long staff in his hands. He approached the king and asked for hospitality, saying he would dwell in the house if no one disturbed or insulted him. Kuntibhoja immediately agreed as he knew saying no to the rishi would be risky. He then called his (adopted) daughter, Pritha, a young teen, and tasked her with the responsibility of taking care of their guest throughout his stay. He said he trusted no one except her to ensure the rishi’s well-being in the kingdom. 

Young Pritha accepted the task and was diligent in her actions. She made the arrangements herself and supervised everything personally. From serving food whenever the rishi asked to providing supplies for his rituals and sitting silently when he was in tapasya, she gave him no reason to find fault. In fact, the rishi was so pleased with her dedication that he wanted to give her a boon. When it was time for him to leave the kingdom and resume his journey, the rishi named Durvasa, called Pritha (Kunti) to him and blessed her. He told her to ask for a boon. 

Kunti replied that she was happy that her devotion pleased him and wanted nothing else. However, the rishi gave her a mantra that would summon any god. With the mantra, she could control the god after summoning him/ her to the earth. Though Kunti wasn’t sure she needed such a mantra, she accepted it, fearing the rishi would be offended by her refusal. After teaching her the secret mantra, Rishi Durvasa resumed his travels. 

Kunti returned to her routine, but a tiny part of her wondered about the mantra. She thought to test it someday. One morning, Kunti was in her chamber as the sun rose in the sky. Mesmerized by its beauty, she wanted to see more of the sun. Impulsively, she recited the mantra and saw what would happen. In the next instant, Surya Deva appeared in her chamber, blazing with glory. He had a honey-colored complexion and was mighty-armed. He was powerfully built and filled the room with his aura. Using yogic powers, he divided himself into two parts – the sun in the sky and the god in front of her. 

He told her he was under her control since she had invited him and asked what she wanted. By then, Kunti was borderline terrified. She said she used the mantra due to curiosity, and since she had seen him, he could go back. 

However, Surya Deva said he couldn’t return without giving her something in return and said he would give her a powerful son who would be as radiant as himself. Kunti was truly afraid. After all, she was an unmarried teenager. He added that sending him away without accepting his gift would be an insult, and he would curse her kingdom for it. It was a matter of pride that a human who summoned him didn’t take anything from him. He even gave her the divine eyesight to see how the gods in heaven were amused and laughing at him. 

Kunti said it wasn’t proper of him to say such words to an unmarried person and that only her parents had the right to give her away (in marriage). Surya Deva replied that he made the offer as she was young, otherwise, anyone else wouldn’t have gotten the same (he would have been furious instead). Kunti thought about it and saw no way out. She said she would agree to have a son if he thought it was according to dharma. 

Surya Deva said that men and women had the right to be with anyone they wanted, and her parents didn’t need to give her away, and that they had no right to do so. He also accepted her request and assured her that she would remain a virgin even after having his son. 

Then, Kunti asked if her son could have armor and earrings for protection and be as mighty and strong as the sun god. He promised her that her son would indeed have all that she asked for. He said the boy would be born with flesh armor and golden earrings gifted by Aditi. 

When Kunti accepted, Surya Deva touched her navel with his yogic powers. His energy was so fierce that it overwhelmed her. Kunti fainted as he assured her that she would give birth to a mighty son and become a virgin afterward. He then departed to heaven. Kunti was distressed and didn’t know what to do. She took a nurse into confidence and managed to hide her pregnancy. Ten months later, she gave birth to a radiant boy in the suklapaksha. As promised, he was born with flesh armor and golden earrings. Though a newborn, he showed all signs of becoming a well-built warrior. 

 Kunti quickly wrapped in a blanket and paced the newborn in a basket lined with beeswax and insulated against water and cold. When it was twilight, she crept out of the palace and left the basket in the River Ashva. She prayed over the basket and said words of protection to ensure the child would be safe and protected by the gods themselves. She hoped a loving woman would adopt him. Kunti said the armor would help her recognize him later. 

The basket floated from Ashva to Charmanvati to Yamuna and finally drifted into the Ganga. In Ganga, it reached the city of Champa, where charioteers lived. 

Adhiratha, Dhritarashta’s friend and charioteer, also lived in the Champa with his wife Radha. The couple had everything they wanted except children, which made Radha sad. One day, they went for a picnic alongside the riverbank and saw a basket floating their way. Adhiratha went into the river to check the basket and was stunned to find a baby inside. 

He brought the basket to his wife, who immediately picked up the radiant child and hugged him to her chest. She decided they would adopt him as their own. Adhiratha was more than happy to do so. They consulted the Brahmins and conducted the required rituals. The Brahmins named him Vasusena. He was also known as Vrisha. As he grew, the armor on his breast grew to cover him and glittered. Adhiratha and Radha had children of their own after adopting the baby. However, they loved him just the same.