Karna Rejects Surya's Advice and Vows to Give Earrings
Surya reveals his identity and urges Karna to refuse Indra. But Karna declares that he will give his earrings and armour to Indra if he comes as a brahmana — because his vow of generosity and his hunger for fame outweigh his concern for his own survival.
Karna had heard the warning. Now he answered.
"It is certainly in my best interests that the illustrious lord of the cows — the sun — is speaking to me today for my welfare. Listen to my words. O granter of boons! I am propitiating you and am speaking these words out of affection. If I am dear to you, you should not restrain me from observing this vow.
"The entire world knows about this vow of mine. It is certain that I will give my life away to the foremost among brahmanas. O supreme among those who travel the skies! O foremost among the gods! If Shakra himself comes to me in the disguise of a brahmana and begs my excellent earrings and armour for the welfare of the sons of Pandu, I will give them to him.
"Then my deeds, famous in the three worlds, will not be destroyed. For those like us, ill fame, even if it saves one's life, is not appropriate. A glorious death that is approved of by the world is appropriate. Therefore, I will give the earrings, together with the armour, to Indra.
"If the slayer of Bala and Vritra comes to me and begs for the earrings to ensure the welfare of the sons of Pandu, it will extend my fame in the world and increase his ill fame.
"O radiant one! Even at the expense of my life, I desire fame in this world. The famous one attains heaven. The one with ill fame is destroyed. Like a mother, fame ensures the life of a man in this world. Even if the body is alive, ill fame destroys life.
"O Vibhavasu! O lord of the world! The creator himself has recited an ancient shloka about how fame is life itself: 'In the next world, fame ensures the supreme objective for a man. In this world, pure fame extends a man's life.'
"By giving away these objects that are natural to my body, I will obtain eternal fame, by giving them as gifts to brahmanas in accordance with the prescribed rites. By offering my body in battle, by performing this difficult deed and by vanquishing my enemies, I will obtain nothing but fame.
"By offering protection to those who are terrified in battle and seek to save their lives, by freeing the aged, the young and brahmanas from great danger, I will obtain supreme fame in this world.
"Know that my vow is to protect fame, even at the expense of my life. O god! By giving this supreme gift to Maghavan, in the disguise of a brahmana, I will traverse along the supreme path in this world."
Karna knew exactly what he was saying. Surya had told him plainly: give away the earrings, and your life will be shortened. You will come under the power of death. Karna heard every word. And he chose anyway.
He would not refuse a petitioner. He would not protect his life at the cost of his name. If Indra came as a brahmana, Karna would give him what he asked for — and let the consequences fall where they may. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 581