Shloka 22
ऋषिसमागमः — युधिष्ठिरस्य शोकवर्णनम्
Sage Assembly and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Articulation of Grief
तोयकर्मणि तं कुन्ती कथयामास सूर्यजम् । पुत्र सर्वगुणोपेतमवरकीर्ण जले पुरा,जलदान करते समय स्वयं माता कुन्तीने यह रहस्य बताया था कि कर्ण भगवान् सूर्यके अंशसे उत्पन्न हुआ मेरा ही सर्वगुणसम्पन्न पुत्र रहा है, जिसे मैंने पहले पानीमें बहा दिया था
toyakarmaṇi taṃ kuntī kathayāmāsa sūryajam | putraṃ sarvaguṇopetam avakīrṇaṃ jale purā ||
Ao falar do rito que envolve a água (a oferenda de água aos que partiram), Kuntī revelou-lhe o segredo do filho nascido do Sol: “Karṇa é meu próprio filho, dotado de todas as virtudes—aquele que, há muito, eu pus à deriva sobre as águas.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral gravity of concealed truth and the far-reaching consequences of actions taken under fear or social pressure. It also situates confession within a ritual context, suggesting that moments of grief and dharmic duty can compel honesty and ethical reckoning.
During a water-offering rite connected with the dead, Kuntī tells Yudhiṣṭhira that Karna—born from the Sun-god—was actually her own virtuous son, whom she had earlier abandoned by setting him afloat in water.