Karna's Generosity

Karna was the greatest giver in the Mahabharata. He was the son of the Sun God and was born with golden armor and earrings fused to his body, making him virtually invincible. Karna had taken a solemn vow that he would never refuse anyone who asked him for something, especially while giving charity at sunrise. Before the great war, Indra, king of the gods, knew that no one could defeat Karna as long as he wore his divine armor. Worried about protecting his son Arjuna, Indra disguised himself as a Brahmin and approached Karna, asking for his armor and earrings as a gift. The Sun God had already warned Karna that Indra would come in disguise to take his armor. Yet Karna declared that he had never turned away anyone who sought his help. Karna peeled the armor and earrings from his own body and handed them to Indra, fully knowing this would seal his fate in the coming war. Indra was so moved by Karna's extraordinary generosity that he gave Karna his Shakti weapon in return, which could be used only once.