Adhyāya 2: Nārada’s Disclosure—Karṇa’s Training and the Brahmin’s Curse (Śānti-parva)
शप्त: प्रसादयामास कर्णस्तं द्विजसत्तमम् | गोभिथर्थनैश्व रत्नैश्व स चैनं पुनरब्रवीत्,इस प्रकार शाप प्राप्त होनेपर कर्णने उस श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणको बहुत-सी गौएँ, धन और रत्न देकर उसे प्रसन्न करनेकी चेष्टा की। तब उसने फिर इस प्रकार उत्तर दिया--
śaptaḥ prasādayāmāsa karṇas taṃ dvijasattamam | gobhir arthaiś ca ratnaiś ca sa cainaṃ punar abravīt |
শাপ পোৱাৰ পাছত কৰ্ণে সেই দ্বিজশ্ৰেষ্ঠক বহু গাই, ধন আৰু ৰত্ন দি প্ৰসন্ন কৰিবলৈ চেষ্টা কৰিলে; কিন্তু তেওঁ তাতে তুষ্ট নহ’ল, পুনৰ কৰ্ণক ক’লে।
नारद उवाच
The verse highlights that ethical breaches can generate consequences that are not automatically erased by material compensation; gifts may express remorse, but dharma emphasizes intention, truthfulness, and the gravity of harm done.
After receiving a curse, Karṇa attempts to appease the offended brāhmaṇa by offering cows, wealth, and jewels. The brāhmaṇa then speaks again, implying that the curse and its moral force remain a serious matter.