After the Kauravas and the Pandavas had returned to their tents offerring obeisances to Bhishma, Karna came to the Grandsire as he lay mortally wounded.
He approached Bhishma and offered his obeisances. With a faltering voice and tears falling from his eyes, he said, "O chief of the Kurus, I am Radha's son, who you have always looked upon with anger."
Hearing Karna's voice, Bhishma opened his his eyes and seeing the place deserted of men, he embraced Karna with one of his arms.
He then said with great affection, "If you had not humbly come to me, things would have not gone well with you. Do you realize that you are Kunti's son and not Radha's? I have heard about this from Narada as well as Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. Without doubt it is true. Honestly, I bear no hatred toward you. It was only for cooling your envy of the Pandavas that I spoke to you in such a way. Without any reason you have spoken ill of the Pandavas. Due to bad association with Duryodhana, you have become like him. Indeed, you are equal to Arjuna and Krishna in bowmanship. There is no doubt about this. Whatever anger I have had against you is gone. The heroic sons of Pandu are your brothers. Therefore, unite with them and let these hostilities end."
"What you have told me is true," Karna replied. "I am Kunti's son, but I have been raised by a suta. I was abandoned by Kunti to die. For so long I have enjoyed Duryodhana's wealth with my relatives. I dare not falsify it now. As Krishna is dear to the Pandavas, so Duryodhana is dear to me. I know well that Arjuna and Krishna are undefeatable in battle, but still it is my duty to try to kill Arjuna on behalf of my friend Duryodhana. Please give me your permission to fight. Please also forgive any offense which I may have committed against you out of foolishness."
"If you are not able to cast off this anger," Bhishma said, "then I give you permission to fight. Through Arjuna you will attain the regions of heaven. I have tried to make peace, but I have not succeeded. All good fortune to you. Go and fight."
Having said this much, the Grandsire became silent.
Karna then offered his obeisances to Bhishma and circumambulated him.
He approached Bhishma and offered his obeisances. With a faltering voice and tears falling from his eyes, he said, "O chief of the Kurus, I am Radha's son, who you have always looked upon with anger."
Hearing Karna's voice, Bhishma opened his his eyes and seeing the place deserted of men, he embraced Karna with one of his arms.
He then said with great affection, "If you had not humbly come to me, things would have not gone well with you. Do you realize that you are Kunti's son and not Radha's? I have heard about this from Narada as well as Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. Without doubt it is true. Honestly, I bear no hatred toward you. It was only for cooling your envy of the Pandavas that I spoke to you in such a way. Without any reason you have spoken ill of the Pandavas. Due to bad association with Duryodhana, you have become like him. Indeed, you are equal to Arjuna and Krishna in bowmanship. There is no doubt about this. Whatever anger I have had against you is gone. The heroic sons of Pandu are your brothers. Therefore, unite with them and let these hostilities end."
"What you have told me is true," Karna replied. "I am Kunti's son, but I have been raised by a suta. I was abandoned by Kunti to die. For so long I have enjoyed Duryodhana's wealth with my relatives. I dare not falsify it now. As Krishna is dear to the Pandavas, so Duryodhana is dear to me. I know well that Arjuna and Krishna are undefeatable in battle, but still it is my duty to try to kill Arjuna on behalf of my friend Duryodhana. Please give me your permission to fight. Please also forgive any offense which I may have committed against you out of foolishness."
"If you are not able to cast off this anger," Bhishma said, "then I give you permission to fight. Through Arjuna you will attain the regions of heaven. I have tried to make peace, but I have not succeeded. All good fortune to you. Go and fight."
Having said this much, the Grandsire became silent.
Karna then offered his obeisances to Bhishma and circumambulated him.