Kunti summons the sun god and gives birth to Karna
Alone and curious, the virgin Kunti uses the sage's mantra to summon the sun god. He appears, places an embryo in her womb, and she gives birth to a radiant son clad in golden armour — a child whose divine origin must immediately be concealed.
The mantra Durvasa gave her was not an abstract theory. It was a key. Alone, and driven by the curiosity of a young girl who has been handed a power she does not fully understand, Kunti decided to test it.
Though still a virgin, she recited the incantation and summoned the god Arka — the sun.
He appeared immediately. The god who makes the worlds come alive stood before her. Kunti, whose form was unblemished, was astounded by the wonderful sight.
Tapana, the sun god who spreads light, did not refuse the summons. He placed an embryo in her womb. Through him, she conceived and gave birth.
The son was a warrior, supreme among those who knew the use of all weapons. He was born with natural armour — a golden kavach that seemed part of his skin — and radiant earrings, kundala, that lit up his face. He was blessed with good fortune and handsome like a son of the gods. This child was known in all the worlds as Karna.
After giving her this son, the supremely radiant sun god restored her virginity and returned to heaven. Kunti was left with a secret: a divinely born, armour-clad infant, and no way to explain him.