During Pandavas exile in the forest...
As long as Karna possessed this kundala and kavacha, he could not be killed.
Previously, the Sun god had come to Karna warning him that Indra would come in the dress of a brahmana and beg from him his natural armor and earrings. He told his son that he should not part with his armor if he wanted to be successful in killing Arjuna. Karna was a giver of charity and said he could not refuse any brahmana who came begging something from him.
It was at this time that Indra came to Karna at Hastinapura in the dress of a brahmana and begged from him his natural armor and earrings. Karna offered the brahmana his kingdom instead of his natural armor and earrings, but the brahmana would not be satisfied.
Although Karna knew the brahmana to be Indra, he did not hesitate to give his natural armor and earrings. However, in return he asked for Indra's shakti weapon by which he could kill any opponent in battle. Indra agreed, and Karna received from the heavenly king his shakti weapon.
Karna then pealed off his armor which was a part of his body and also cut off his earrings; both were dripping with blood.
Indra then returned to his abode, and when the sons of Dhritarastra learned of this incident, they lamented greatly.
When the Pandavas headed by Yudhisthira were made aware of this incident, they felt that Arjuna could now kill Karna in battle.
As long as Karna possessed this kundala and kavacha, he could not be killed.
Previously, the Sun god had come to Karna warning him that Indra would come in the dress of a brahmana and beg from him his natural armor and earrings. He told his son that he should not part with his armor if he wanted to be successful in killing Arjuna. Karna was a giver of charity and said he could not refuse any brahmana who came begging something from him.
It was at this time that Indra came to Karna at Hastinapura in the dress of a brahmana and begged from him his natural armor and earrings. Karna offered the brahmana his kingdom instead of his natural armor and earrings, but the brahmana would not be satisfied.
Although Karna knew the brahmana to be Indra, he did not hesitate to give his natural armor and earrings. However, in return he asked for Indra's shakti weapon by which he could kill any opponent in battle. Indra agreed, and Karna received from the heavenly king his shakti weapon.
Karna then pealed off his armor which was a part of his body and also cut off his earrings; both were dripping with blood.
Indra then returned to his abode, and when the sons of Dhritarastra learned of this incident, they lamented greatly.
When the Pandavas headed by Yudhisthira were made aware of this incident, they felt that Arjuna could now kill Karna in battle.