Marvellous Mahābhārata Morals - VII

Gifts should be given without desiring anything in return

Munificence is a virtue and a noble quality. This was most highly developed in Karṇa. He willingly with an open hand gave anything to anyone without desiring anything in return. There were no conditions attached to his gift. It was complete charity given cheerfully and with due warmth. Karṇa used to pray to the Sun God at dawn and dusk. During these times, it was well known that Karṇa would give anything, even his own life, if asked. Now, Indra - lord of the Gods, was worried that Karṇa may prove more than a match for his son Arjuna. Thus, he disguised himself as a Brahmin and came to Karṇa as he finished his evening prayers. The Brahmin asked for Karna's kavach and kundala (armour and earrings) with which he was born. Karṇa did not refuse and promptly took out his knife and cut the armour and his earrings, as they were fused with his body. In spite of extreme pain at cutting himself in such a way, yet Karṇa kept the request of the Brahmin and gifted him his kavach and kundala. Indra was extremely pleased with the munificence of Karṇa and showed his real form. He then gave his weapon- the powerful thunderbolt Indrāstra, as a gift to Karṇa and told him that he may use it but only once. Karṇa thanked Indra and told him that it would be used only against Arjuna for whose safety Indra had taken his kavach and kundala from him. Man proposes but God disposes. Karṇa wanted to use it against Arjuna but had to use it against Ghatotkaccha - the son of Bhīma. However, this incident reflects that when giving a gift no mental reservations should be there, and one should give with full warmth, willingly, smilingly, and without desiring anything in return.

Kuntī also approached Karṇa when he was returning from his evening prayers and told him that he was her son and his father was Surya- the Sun God. Kuntī revealed this secret only to Karṇa and during such a time, when the battle was inevitable. She asked him that five Pāndavas should remain alive, and Karṇa told her so be it. Karṇa told Kuntī that since now he knew that he was the eldest Pāndava, he would not kill the Pāndavas with the exception of Arjuna. Either he or Arjuna would live, and thus instead of six, five Pāndavas would remain alive, as Kuntī had asked. Such munificence can only be expected of heroes of supernatural will power and profound generosity as Karṇa.