Kuntee Before Marriage

Kuntee was the daughter of Raajaa Shoorsen of Vrishni family. There her name was Prithaa. Then Shoorsen gave her to his cousin and friend Kuntibhoj because he was childless. There she was given the name Kuntee.

Once Durvaasaa Muni came to Raajaa Kuntibhoj's palace. Kuntibhoj welcomed him and introduced Kuntee as his daughter. Kuntee served him very well. Durvaasaa Muni became very pleased with her service and asked her to ask for any Var. Kuntee said politely - "Mahaaraaj, You know all about the past, present and future, give me such a Var which will be useful for me in future." Muni thought for a moment then gave her a Mantra saying that "this Mantra is capable to bring any Devtaa to you whoever you want to call. This is such a Mantra which will compel the invoked Devtaa to give you Var whether he will want to give one or not." After bestowing this Var Durvaasaa Muni went away.

Later Kuntee thought several times - "Is it true that Devtaa exist? They are not seen anywhere. Can it be true that I can see them?" One day she offered water to Soorya Dev and just for curiosity sake she read that Mantra. To her joy and surprise, she saw Soorya Dev coming to her. Soorya Dev asked - "Prithaa, Why have you called me?" Kuntee said - "Durvaasaa Muni gave me this Mantra, I was just testing it, but you really appeared. Excuse me Soorya Dev, I gave you trouble, you may go back. I am very scared."

Soorya Dev said - "I cannot go back without giving Var for Durvaasaa Muni's Mantra. I am helpless. This Mantra cannot fail, if it failed then even the minute balance of universe will get imbalanced." Kuntee said - "Then whatever you want to give, give and then go away soon." Soorya Dev said - "I will give you a son." Kuntee was surprised to hear this, she said - "Son? But I am an unmarried girl. How I will face our society? My father will die with grief." 

Soorya Dev said - "Don't worry, you will still be unmarried. This boy will be born with my Kavach (armor) and Kundal (earring) and will be known as Daanveer (great donor) Karn. He will be in the image of me, and he will never be able to refuse anything to anybody. He can protect himself, you need not to worry about him. You name him Karn." And Soorya Dev gave her a son and went away. Now what to do of that child? What she will say to the society? So she put him in a box wrapped in the finest silk cloth and flowed him in Gangaa River. She prayed for him - "Hey Soorya Dev, I have done a great injustice with this child, please guard him." Then she said to Karn - "May your path be auspicious, Devtaa of waters will protect you. You will not die. I hope to see you some time, I will recognize you with your Kavach and Kundal."

Kuntee was sad thinking about that child, that Paandu came and told her that he had to go for victory travel, and that was the Muhoort for starting the journey. First Kuntee got sad, but then sent him on his victorious travel.