Shloka 144
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 67 — गान्धर्वविवाह-समयः
Duḥṣanta–Śakuntalā: Gandharva Marriage and Succession Condition
तमिन्द्रो ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा पुत्रार्थे भूतभावन: । ययाचे कुण्डले वीर॑ कवचं च सहाड्गजजम्,भूतभावन इन्द्रने अपने पुत्र अर्जुनके हितके लिये ब्राह्मणका रूप धारण करके वीर कर्णसे दोनों कुण्डल तथा उसके शरीरके साथ ही उत्पन्न हुआ कवच माँगा
tam indro brāhmaṇo bhūtvā putrārthe bhūtabhāvanaḥ | yayāce kuṇḍale vīra kavacaṃ ca sahāḍgajam ||
毗舍波耶那说：为着自己儿子的利益，因陀罗——众生的施惠者——化作婆罗门，向英勇的迦尔那乞求那一对耳环，以及与其身俱生的护甲。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical complexity of dharma: even a god may employ disguise for a perceived higher aim (protecting his son), while a hero’s virtue is measured by steadfast generosity and honor under pressure. It invites reflection on whether ends justify means and how personal duty can conflict with fairness.
Indra, seeking to weaken Karṇa and thereby aid his son Arjuna, takes the form of a brāhmaṇa mendicant and asks Karṇa to give away his natural earrings and body-born armor—items that make Karṇa exceptionally formidable.