Through the great rent that yawned for my deserted
first-born, all my life's pleasures have run to waste. On that accursed day
when I belied my motherhood you could not utter a word; to-day your
recreant mother implores you for generous words. Let your forgiveness burn
her heart like fire and consume its sin.
KARNA
Mother, accept my tears!
KUNTI
I did not come with the hope of winning you back to my arms, but with that
of restoring your rights to you. Come and receive, as a king's son, your
due among your brothers.
KARNA
I am more truly the son of a charioteer, and do not covet the glory of
greater parentage.
KUNTI
Be that as it may, come and win back the kingdom, which is yours by right!
KARNA
Must you, who once refused me a mother's love, tempt me with a kingdom? The
quick bond of kindred which you severed at its root is dead, and can never
grow again. Shame were mine should I hasten to call the mother of kings
mother, and abandon _my_ mother in the charioteer's house!
KUNTI
You are great, my son! How God's punishment invisibly grows from a tiny
seed to a giant life! The helpless babe disowned by his mother comes back a
man through the dark maze of events to smite his brothers!
KARNA
Mother, have no fear! I know for certain that victory awaits the Pandavas.
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