Shloka 26
यद्यागच्छति मां शक्रो ब्राह्मणच्छझमना वृत: । हितार्थ पाण्डुपुत्राणां खेचरोत्तम भिक्षितुम्,आकाशमें विचरनेवालोंमें उत्तम सूर्यदेव! यदि पाण्डवोंके हितके लिये ब्राह्मणके छठद्मवेशमें अपनेको छिपाकर साक्षात् इन्द्रदेव मेरे पास भिक्षा माँगने आ रहे हैं तो देवेश्वर! मैं उन्हें दोनों कुण्डल और उत्तम कवच अवश्य दे दूँगा, जिससे तीनों लोकोंमें विख्यात हुई मेरी कीर्ति नष्ट न होने पाये
yady āgacchati māṃ śakro brāhmaṇacchadmanā vṛtaḥ | hitārthaṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ khecarottama bhikṣitum ||
Karna said: “If Śakra (Indra) comes to me, concealing himself under the guise of a brāhmaṇa, to beg for the welfare of the sons of Pāṇḍu—O best of the sky-goers (Sun)—then I will surely give him my two earrings and my excellent armor, so that my fame, renowned in the three worlds, may not be diminished.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dāna as a central ethical ideal: Karna values unwavering generosity and the preservation of honorable renown even at personal cost, choosing to give despite knowing the request is strategically motivated for the Pāṇḍavas’ benefit.
Karna addresses the Sun-god and anticipates that Indra will approach him disguised as a brāhmaṇa to beg for Karna’s divine earrings and armor, which protect him. Karna declares he will still donate them, prioritizing his reputation for giving and his self-chosen code of honor.