ShriKrishna had come as a messenger of peace to avoid war and had instructed the Assembly of Kings in Hastinapur. He had just tried to convince the Kauravas into keeping their words and returning the kingdom of the Pandavas. He even tried to make peace by requesting for five villages, one village for each of the Pandava. But Duryodhana had rejected the last offer of peace and tried to imprison Krishna. All had not gone well. War was imminent.
He saw Karna and saw one last hope to awert the war. Although He did not want to stop war, He had given his word to Yudhisthira that he will try all the possible ways to stop the war.
Before leaving Hastinapura, Lord Krishna took Karna, the son of Radha, on His chariot and spoke with him concerning his birth. Lord Krishna revealed the truth to him, O son of Radha, you have worshiped the brahmanas who have realized the truth of the Vedas. Therefore, you know what is the Vedic conclusion regarding the birth of a child.
In the past you have not known who your real mother was. This remains a mystery to you. Actually you were born to Kunti before her marriage to Pandu. Your father is the sun god. The daughter of Surasena had received a benediction from Durvasa Muni that she could call any heavenly lord from the higher planets to conceive a child. In her youthful innocence, she called for the sun god, and because the mantra could not prove fruitless, a child was conceived. Out of fear that she would never be able to marry, she placed the child in a basket and cast it afloat on the Ganges.
Thus, you are actually known as Kaunteya. The Pandavas are, in reality, your younger brothers. If you come to their side, they will bow at your feet, and you will become the emperor of the world. When you are coronated as King of the earth, Yudhisthira will stand behind you in your chariot. Bhimasena will hold the royal umbrella over your head, and Arjuna will hold the reins of the chariot. Nakula and Sahadeva, as well as Draupadi's five sons, will walk behind you. Let the Pandavas proclaim, "Victory to Vasusena." Surrounded by the Pandavas, you will appear like your father, the sun god, followed by his many assistants.
Krishna did not reveal Karna's identity before probably because it would have humiliated Kunti. It is the mother's job to inform her children about their elder brother.
However, ShriKrishna knew that Duryodhana is ready to go to war because he feels he can rely on Karna as his biggest strength/weapon. There was no way for Duryodhana to defeat Arjuna in battlefield unless for Karna being on his side. Grandsire Bheeshma was capable too to defeat Arjuna, however Duryodhana knew that at some point of time Bheeshma's fatherly affection towards Arjuna might come in his way of defeating Arjuna.
Thus ShriKrishna revealed the truth to Karna about his birth and offered kingship of the world by being on the Pandavas side with the intention that the war could be avoided and Karna can be on the side of dharma.
** Vasusena -- Karna was also known as 'Vasusena' in his younger years.
He saw Karna and saw one last hope to awert the war. Although He did not want to stop war, He had given his word to Yudhisthira that he will try all the possible ways to stop the war.
Before leaving Hastinapura, Lord Krishna took Karna, the son of Radha, on His chariot and spoke with him concerning his birth. Lord Krishna revealed the truth to him, O son of Radha, you have worshiped the brahmanas who have realized the truth of the Vedas. Therefore, you know what is the Vedic conclusion regarding the birth of a child.
In the past you have not known who your real mother was. This remains a mystery to you. Actually you were born to Kunti before her marriage to Pandu. Your father is the sun god. The daughter of Surasena had received a benediction from Durvasa Muni that she could call any heavenly lord from the higher planets to conceive a child. In her youthful innocence, she called for the sun god, and because the mantra could not prove fruitless, a child was conceived. Out of fear that she would never be able to marry, she placed the child in a basket and cast it afloat on the Ganges.
Thus, you are actually known as Kaunteya. The Pandavas are, in reality, your younger brothers. If you come to their side, they will bow at your feet, and you will become the emperor of the world. When you are coronated as King of the earth, Yudhisthira will stand behind you in your chariot. Bhimasena will hold the royal umbrella over your head, and Arjuna will hold the reins of the chariot. Nakula and Sahadeva, as well as Draupadi's five sons, will walk behind you. Let the Pandavas proclaim, "Victory to Vasusena." Surrounded by the Pandavas, you will appear like your father, the sun god, followed by his many assistants.
Krishna did not reveal Karna's identity before probably because it would have humiliated Kunti. It is the mother's job to inform her children about their elder brother.
However, ShriKrishna knew that Duryodhana is ready to go to war because he feels he can rely on Karna as his biggest strength/weapon. There was no way for Duryodhana to defeat Arjuna in battlefield unless for Karna being on his side. Grandsire Bheeshma was capable too to defeat Arjuna, however Duryodhana knew that at some point of time Bheeshma's fatherly affection towards Arjuna might come in his way of defeating Arjuna.
Thus ShriKrishna revealed the truth to Karna about his birth and offered kingship of the world by being on the Pandavas side with the intention that the war could be avoided and Karna can be on the side of dharma.
** Vasusena -- Karna was also known as 'Vasusena' in his younger years.