Shloka 30
Kuntī–Karṇa Saṃvāda: Lineage Disclosure and Appeal to Fraternal Dharma
आपूृष्ठतापाज्ज प्त्वा स परिवृत्य यतव्रत: । दृष्टवा कुन्तीमुपातिषछ्ठदभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलि:
āpṛṣṭhatāpāj jap tvā sa parivṛtya yatavrataḥ | dṛṣṭvā kuntīm upātiṣṭhad abhivādya kṛtāñjaliḥ ||
毗舍波衍那说：他诵持圣咒，直至太阳的热力不再落在他的背上（即日轮循行已移），迦尔纳——严守誓戒、奉行律仪者——方才转身。见昆蒂在前，他合掌致敬，躬身礼拜，恭敬地立于她侧。此景彰显迦尔纳即便身处身份与战事的道德纠葛之中，仍不失对宗教义务的严谨遵守。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in moments charged with personal and political crisis, disciplined observance of dharma—here shown through japa, vrata, and respectful salutation—remains a marker of character. Karṇa’s reverence toward Kuntī highlights ethical restraint and respect, while foreshadowing the deeper conflict between duty, loyalty, and birth-identity.
Karṇa completes his ritual japa associated with the Sun and maintains his vow until the Sun’s position changes. He then turns, sees Kuntī standing before him, and respectfully greets her with folded hands, remaining near her—setting the stage for their consequential conversation.