Frightened for the safety of her family and restrained by her own modesty, the illustrious maiden Kunti hesitated before the radiant presence of the Sun. Perceiving her fear, the Sun God spoke again, assuring her with gentle words: “By my grace, O noble lady, no fault shall befall you.” Kunti, with humility, pleaded, “Be gracious, O Lord, for I am without arrogance. Let the blemish of losing my maidenhood be removed by you alone.” The Sun consoled her further: “Let your fear depart today. You will see the child, and by my permission, you will once again be a maiden.” Thus addressed, Kunti’s body thrilled with awe and joy. She was united with the great-souled Aditya, her beautiful brows shining with radiance. From this union, the resplendent Sun, whose deeds are ever evident, placed a child in Kunti’s womb—a hero destined to be foremost among all wielders of weapons. This son was born with divine armor, glorious and splendid, his face bright with natural earrings, a sign of his celestial origin. He was named Karna, and his fame spread throughout all the worlds. The radiant Sun then restored Kunti’s maidenhood, leaving her untouched by worldly stain. Having fulfilled his promise, the Sun ascended back to his celestial abode. But as Kunti gazed upon her newborn son, her mind was seized with distress and worry. With single-minded thought, she pondered, “What should I do so that virtue may result?” Fearing for her family’s honor and seeking to hide her transgression, she placed the powerful infant in a chest filled with precious jewels. With trembling hands, Kunti set the chest afloat upon the river’s waters. Carried by the current, the child was found by the noble and famed charioteer Adhiratha, husband of Radha. Together, the couple adopted the radiant boy as their own son. They named him Vasusena, saying, “He is born with wealth.” As Vasusena grew, he became strong and skilled in all the arts of war. When the time came, he approached the Sun, full of vigor, seeking blessings. During this period, while the wise and heroic Karna recited his prayers, there was not a single gift to be found for Brahmins anywhere on earth. Then, at the end of a night, the Sun appeared to Karna in a dream, taking the form of a Brahmin. “Hear my words, O hero,” said the Sun. “When morning comes, Indra will visit you, disguised as a Brahmin. Do not give him alms, for his intention is to take your armor and earrings. I warn you, remember my words.” Karna replied, “If Shakra, disguised as a Brahmin, asks me for something, how can I refuse, as I have been taught to honor Brahmins? Knowing him to be the lord of the gods, I cannot disregard his request.” The Sun instructed, “If that is so, listen to me. He will grant you a boon—ask him for a spear that destroys all enemies.” With these words, the Brahmin vanished from the dream, leaving Karna to ponder deeply. At dawn, Indra, the lord of the gods and creator of beings, approached Karna in the guise of a Brahmin and requested his earrings and armor. Without hesitation, Karna cut the armor from his own body, which bled, and sliced off both earrings from his sides, offering them with folded hands. Indra, pleased by this act of supreme generosity, smiled and thought, “Among gods, demons, yakshas, gandharvas, serpents, and rakshasas, I do not see anyone who could perform such a deed.” He said to Karna, “I am pleased by your deed. Speak—tell me what boon you desire.” Karna asked for the spear as instructed, and Shakra, amazed, granted it, saying, “Whomever you strike in anger with this, he will not survive. After slaying one enemy in battle, it will return to me.” Having said this, Shakra vanished, granting Karna the boon. Thus, the child once called Vasusena on earth became known as Karna, the son of Vikartana, renowned for his generosity and valor. Meanwhile, Kunti, daughter of Kuntibhoja, was endowed with beauty, virtue, and swift qualities, devoted to righteousness and great vows. Many kings sought this radiant maiden, for she was adorned with the highest feminine virtues. Kuntibhoja, her father, invited the assembled kings for her svayaṃvara, and by his will, she was to choose her own husband. In the midst of the royal assembly, Kunti beheld Pāṇḍu, the foremost among the Bharatas, a lion among kings. With a broad chest, eyes like a bull, and great strength, Pāṇḍu shone among all the assembled rulers like the sun outshining the stars. Standing in the assembly like another Indra, Pāṇḍu captivated Kunti’s heart. Overcome with longing, her body trembled as her mind wavered. With bashful grace, Kunti placed the garland upon Pāṇḍu’s shoulder, thus choosing him as her husband. When the assembled kings saw that Kunti had chosen Pāṇḍu, they departed as they had come, on elephants, horses, and chariots. Kuntibhoja then performed the wedding ceremony, and thus, the exceedingly fortunate Pāṇḍu, son of the Kurus, was united with Kuntibhoja’s daughter, just as mighty Maghavan was joined with Paulomī.