And Pritha learnt through spies that her own son clad in celestial mail was growing up amongst the Angas as the eldest son of a charioteer (Adhiratha).  And seeing that in process of time his son had grown up, Adhiratha sent him to the city named after the elephant.  And there Karna put up with Drona, for the purpose of learning arms.  And that powerful youth contracted a friendship with Duryodhana.  And having acquired all the four kinds of weapons from Drona, Kripa, and Rama, he became famous in the world as a mighty bowman.  And after having contracted a friendship with Dhritarashtra’s son, he became intent on injuring the sons of Pritha.  And he was always desirous of fighting with the high-souled Falguna.  And, O king, ever since they first saw each other, Karna always used to challenge Arjuna, and Arjuna, on his part, used to challenge him.  This, O foremost of kings, was without doubt, the secret known to the Sun, viz., begot by himself on Kunti, Karna was being reared in the race of the Sutas.  And beholding him decked with his ear-rings and mail, Yudhishthira thought him to be unslayable in fight, and was exceedingly pained at it.  And when, O foremost of monarchs, Karna after rising from the water, used at mid-day to worship the effulgent Surya with joined hands, the Brahmanas used to solicit him for wealth.  And at that time there was nothing that he would not give away to the twice-born ones.  And Indra, assuming the guise of a Brahmana, appeared before him (at such a time) and said, ‘Give me!’ And thereupon Radha’s son replied unto him, ‘Thou art welcome!’”

SECTION CCCVIII

Vaisampayana said, “And when the king of the celestials presented himself in the guise of a Brahmana, beholding him, Kama said, ‘Welcome!’ And not knowing his intention, Adhiratha’s son addressed the Brahmana, saying, ’Of a necklace of gold, and beauteous damsels, and villages with plenty of kine, which shall I give thee?’ Thereupon the Brahmana replied, ’I ask thee not to give me either a necklace of gold, or fair damsels, or any other agreeable object.  To those do thou give them that ask for them.  If, O sinless one, thou art sincere in thy vow, then wilt thou, cutting off (from thy person) this coat of mail born with thy body, and these ear-rings also, bestow them on me!  I desire, O chastiser of foes, that thou mayst speedily give me these; for, this one gain of mine will be considered as superior to every other gain!’ Hearing these words, Kama, said, ’O Brahmana, I will give thee homestead land, and fair damsels, and kine, and fields; but my mail and ear-rings I am unable to give thee!’”