Karna's Supreme Generosity

Karna, the tragic hero of the Mahabharata, was born with divine golden armor (Kavacha) and earrings (Kundala) that made him absolutely invincible in battle. Furthermore, Karna had taken a solemn vow: after his morning prayers to the Sun God (Surya), he would never refuse the request of any Brahmin who asked for charity.

As the great Kurukshetra war approached, Indra, the king of gods and the father of Arjuna (Karna's rival), grew worried. He knew that as long as Karna wore the golden armor, Arjuna could not defeat him.

Lord Surya, Karna's divine father, warned him in a dream: "Indra will come disguised as a Brahmin to beg for your armor. Do not give it to him, for your life depends on it!" Karna replied, "Father, my vow of charity is dearer to me than my life. I cannot turn away a beggar."

The next morning, after his prayers, a Brahmin approached Karna and asked for his armor and earrings. Karna smiled, fully knowing it was Indra. Without hesitation, Karna took a knife and painfully sliced the armor and earrings off his body, handing them over, covered in blood.

Indra was overwhelmed with shame and profound admiration. "No mortal has ever displayed such generosity," Indra said. In return, Indra gave Karna the Vasavi Shakti, a divine dart that would guarantee the death of any one enemy. Karna's legendary generosity immortalized him as 'Daanshoor Karna'.