Karna's Truth: Krishna and Kunti

On his way back from Hastinapur, Krishna took Karna into his chariot and drove to a quiet place. Gently he said, 'Karna, you are not a charioteer's son but Kunti's. You were born to her from the Sun god before her marriage. By dharma, you are the eldest brother of the Pandavas.'

Krishna went on, 'Come with me to the Pandavas. Yudhishthira himself will accept you as king, Bhima and Arjuna will serve you, and this war will be avoided.' Karna's eyes filled with tears. He said, 'Keshava, I know this truth. But what is the name of a mother who set me adrift on the day I was born worth to me now? Mother Radha raised me, and father Adhiratha took me in. And when everyone insulted me, Duryodhana gave me honour.'

Karna said, 'Duryodhana has gone to war trusting in me. If I abandon him now, I will be called ungrateful. I do not want a kingdom. Only promise me this: do not tell Yudhishthira the truth yet, or he will give the kingdom to me, and I will hand it to Duryodhana.' Krishna honoured his loyalty, and they parted.

Some days later Karna was worshipping the sun on the bank of the Ganga. Kunti stood quietly behind him in the heat until his prayer was done. Karna turned and bowed: 'I, Karna, son of Radha and Adhiratha, salute you.' Kunti said in a trembling voice, 'No, you are my son, my firstborn.' Then the voice of the Sun god was heard: 'Kunti speaks the truth, my son.'

Kunti said, 'Come back to your brothers.' Karna replied, 'Mother, when I needed you, you did not come. Today I cannot abandon my duty. But your request will not go empty: I will not kill any of your sons except Arjuna. Of Arjuna and me, one will remain, and you will always have five sons.' Kunti embraced him, and with heavy hearts they returned to their separate paths.