Section CCLXLIX

"Surya said,

'Never do, O Karna, anything that is harmful to your self and your friends; your sons, your wives, your father, and your mother; O you best of those that bear life, people desire renown (in this world) and lasting fame in heaven, without wishing to sacrifice their bodies. But as you desirest undying fame at the expense of your life, she will, without doubt, snatch away your life! O bull among men, in this world, the father, the mother, the son, and other relatives are of use only to him that is alive.

O tiger among men, as regard kings, it is only when they are alive that prowess can be of any use to them. Do you understand this? O you of exceeding splendour, fame is for the good of these only that are alive! Of what use is fame to the dead whose bodies have been reduced to ashes? One that is dead cannot enjoy renown. It is only when one is alive that one can enjoy it. The fame of one that is dead is like a garland of flowers around the neck of a corpse.

As you reverest me, I tell you this for your benefit, because you are a worshipper of mine! They that worship me are always protected by me. That also is another reason for my addressing you thus! Thinking again, O mighty-armed one, that this one reveres me with great reverence, I have been inspired with love for you!

Do you, therefore, act according to my words! There is, besides some profound mystery in all this, ordained by fate. It is for this, that I tell you so. Do you act without mistrust of any kind! O bull among men, it is not fit for you to know this which is a secret to the very gods. Therefore, I do not reveal that secret unto you.

You will, however, understand it in time. I repeat what I have already said. Do you, O Radha’s son, lay my words to heart! When the wielder of the thunder-bolt asks you for them, do you never give him your ear-rings! O you of exceeding splendour, with your handsome ear-rings, you lookest beautiful, even like the Moon himself in the clear firmament, between the Visakha constellation! Dost you know that fame avails only the person that is living.

Therefore, when the lord of the celestials will ask the ear-rings, you should, O son, refuse him! Repeating again and again answers fraught with various reasons, you will, O sinless one, be able to remove the eagerness of the lord of the celestial for the possession of the ear-rings. Do you, O Karna, after Purandara’s purpose by urging answers fraught with reason and grave import and adorned with sweetness and suavity.

You dost always, O tiger among men, challenge him that can draw the bow with his left hand, and heroic Arjuna also will surely encounter you in fight. But when furnished with your ear-rings, Arjuna will never be able to vanquish you in fight even if Indra himself comes to his assistance. Therefore, O Karna, if you wishest to vanquish Arjuna in battle, these handsome ear-rings of thine should never be parted with to Sakra.'"