When Karna had heard the advice of his real mother and father, he did not waver from his position and spoke to her, O blessed lady, I cannot agree with your statement that to obey your commands is the my highest duty.
O mother, I was abandoned by you as soon as I was born. This stain of my birth, being recognized as the son of a suta, has darkened my achievements. I could have died within the river after you set me afloat. If, indeed, I am a kshatriya then I have been deprived of these rights by your neglect. What enemy would have done me a greater injury? Without showing mercy to me by performing my birth rites, you have abandoned me, and now, today, you would have me follow your command? Before today you never sought my welfare as a mother. Why are you now soliciting me except to benefit yourself.
If I go to the side of the Pandavas, everyone will think that I have gone because of cowardice. If I take up your son's cause, then all will consider I have done so for my personal fame, leaving aside my friendship with Duryodhana.
Your instructions, however beneficial, I cannot obey. Your request, however, will not prove to be fruitless. I will promise you, though able to kill all your sons except Arjuna, I will not do so. Arjuna, alone, I will fight with, and killing him or being killed by him, I will achieve lasting fame. O blessed lady, the number of your sons will always remain not less than five. Either I will be killed by Arjuna, or Arjuna will be slain in battle.
Hearing these words, Kunti, who was trembling from grief, embraced her son who remained unmoved by the emotion of his real mother. She then requested, O my son, you have granted to four of your brothers the assurance of safety. Please remember this promise at the time of the battle.
Karna replied, Let it be so.
Kunti then left her son at the bank of the Ganges and returned to her own apartments.
O mother, I was abandoned by you as soon as I was born. This stain of my birth, being recognized as the son of a suta, has darkened my achievements. I could have died within the river after you set me afloat. If, indeed, I am a kshatriya then I have been deprived of these rights by your neglect. What enemy would have done me a greater injury? Without showing mercy to me by performing my birth rites, you have abandoned me, and now, today, you would have me follow your command? Before today you never sought my welfare as a mother. Why are you now soliciting me except to benefit yourself.
If I go to the side of the Pandavas, everyone will think that I have gone because of cowardice. If I take up your son's cause, then all will consider I have done so for my personal fame, leaving aside my friendship with Duryodhana.
Your instructions, however beneficial, I cannot obey. Your request, however, will not prove to be fruitless. I will promise you, though able to kill all your sons except Arjuna, I will not do so. Arjuna, alone, I will fight with, and killing him or being killed by him, I will achieve lasting fame. O blessed lady, the number of your sons will always remain not less than five. Either I will be killed by Arjuna, or Arjuna will be slain in battle.
Hearing these words, Kunti, who was trembling from grief, embraced her son who remained unmoved by the emotion of his real mother. She then requested, O my son, you have granted to four of your brothers the assurance of safety. Please remember this promise at the time of the battle.
Karna replied, Let it be so.
Kunti then left her son at the bank of the Ganges and returned to her own apartments.