Sambhava Parva — Coronation of Karna

Vaishampayana said : When the spectators, with eyes expended with wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities; Karna, he entered the spacious arena.

He was armed in his natural coat of armour, his face was brightened with his earrings, his bow was in his hand and his sword in his lions, he entered like a walking cliff.

The illustrious destroyer of enemies, the large eyed Karna was born of Pritha (Kunti) in her maidenhood. He was a portion of the hot beamed sun.

His power and energy were like those of lions, the bulls or the best of elephants. He was like the sun in splendour, moon in loveliness and fire in effulgence.

Being born of the sun, he was tall like a golden palm; he was a youth who could slay lions. He was handsome and possessed countless accomplishments.

The mighty armed (hero) looked all around the arena and bowed rather with indifference to Drona and Kripa.

The entire assembly of people remain emotionless and stared in steadfast gaze. They were filled with great curiously and asked one another, "Who is he?"

That foremost of eloquent men, the son of the sun, (Karna) in a voice deep as the roars of clouds, addressed his unknown brother thus-

"O Partha, I shall perform feats before this assembly excelling all that you have done. Behold them and will be amazed."

O best of all eloquent men, when he had hardly finished his words, the spectators stood up all at once as if uplifted by some instrument.

O best of men, Duryodhana was delighted, while Bibhatsa (Arjuna) was filled with abashment and anger.

The greatly powerful Karna, ever fond of battle, displayed with the permission of Drona all that Partha had displayed before.

O descendant of Bharata, Duryodhana with his brothers thereupon embraced Karna with delight and spoke to him thus-

Duryodhana said : "O mighty armed hero welcome to you! man deserving of politeness, I have got you by good fortune. Command me and the Kuru kingdom at your pleasure.

Karna said: When you have said this, I consider it as already accomplished. I only desire your friendship. O lord, I long for a single combat with Arjuna.

Duryodhana said : Enjoy with me the good things of life. Be the benefactor of your friends. O oppressor of enemies, place your feet on the heads of all foes.

Vaishampayana said : Thereupon Partha considered himself disgraced and spoke to Karna who stood amidst the (Kuru) brothers like a hill.

Arjuna said : O Karna, the path which the unwelcome intruder and the uninvited talker comes to shall be yours.

Karna said: This arena is meant for all; it is not for you alone. O Falguni, they are kings who are superior in power; Kshatriya Dharma depends on prowess alone.

o descendant of Bharata, what need is their of altercation which is the habit of the weak! Speak in arrows, until I cut off your head today in the presence of the preceptor.

Vaishampayana said : The subduer of hostile cities, Partha, was embraced by his brothers and with the permission of Drona he advanced for the combat.

Thereupon, Karna was embraced by Duryodhana with his brothers. Taking up his bow and arrows he stood ready for fight.

The sky was covered in clouds emitting flashes of lightning and the coloured bow of Indra appeared shedding its effulgent rays. The clouds seemed to be laughing on account of the presence of white cranes that were then flying.

Seeing that Indra was thus showing his affection (towards Arjuna), the sun dispersed the clouds over his son.

Falguni (Arjuna) was invisible under cover of the clouds, but Karna was visible on account of the clouds being dispersed from him by the sun.

The sons of Dhritarashtra stood by Karna and the son of Bharadvaja, (Drona) Kripa and Bhishma stood by Partha.

The assembly was also divided into two parties, so were the ladies also. And on learning the affair the daughter of Bhoja, Kunti fainted away.

The learned in all the precepts of virtue, Vidura, revived the insensible Kunti by sprinkling over (her face) water mixed with sandal-paste.

O being revived she was seized with fear on seeing her two sons clad in armour, but she could do nothing.

When the two (heroes) were ready with their great bows raised up, the son of Sharadvana, Kripa, well versed in all the precepts of virtue and expert in the rules of duels, said-

Kripa said : “This son of Pandu is the youngest child of Kunti. He is a Kuru and he will fight a duel with you. O mighty armed hero, you should also tell us the lineage of your father and mother and the royal line in which you are an ornament.

Knowing this, Partha will fight with you, or he will not fight (as he will think proper.) The sons of kings never fight a duel with men of inferior lineage.

Vaishampayana said : Thus addressed, Karna's face was flushed! with the blushes of shame and it looked like the pale lotus torn and disfigured by the showers of rains.

Duryodhana said : O preceptor, it is said in the Shastras that three classes of men cam claim royalty, namely persons of noble birth, heroes and those that lead soldiers.

But if Falguni is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I install him (Karna) as the king of Anga.

Vaishampayana said : When the cheers cease at that very moment the greatly powerful car-warrior Karna, seated on a golden seat, the (royal) umbrella over his head and yak tails waved by his side, was installed king of Anga by the Brahmanas, learned in the Mantras, in the proper form, with paddy, flowers, Ghata (water pots) and much fold.

O king, (Karna) said to the Kauravas (Duryodhana), "What shall I give you compared," your gift of a kingdom! O king O best of men, I shall do all you will command." Suyodhana (Duryodhana) replied, “I long for your friendship."

Having been thus addressed, Karna replied. “Be it so." They thereupon embraced each other in joy and felt great happiness.