Once upon a time, there lived a kind-hearted girl named Pritha. She had been adopted by King Kuntibhoja, who raised her like his own daughter. He gave her the name of Kunti while Pritha remained her birth name.

One day, when Kunti was still a young girl, a wise sage visited her palace. She looked after him with great care. Pleased, the sage gave her a magic blessing: she could call upon any god, and they would bless her with a child.

Kunti was curious. Just to test the blessing, she whispered the special mantra and called the Sun God — Surya. To her surprise, Surya appeared before her! He blessed her with a baby boy adorned with a golden armour and earrings. But Kunti was afraid — she wasn’t married yet, and in her time, this was something people wouldn’t understand.

Tears in her eyes, Kunti placed her baby gently in a basket and set him afloat on a river, hoping the Gods would take care of him. Her heart broke as the basket floated away.

Miles away, this divine baby was later found by a kind charioteer’s family. They didn't have any children of their own and readily adopted him. The couple named the baby Karna.

Years passed, and Kunti married King Pandu. She remembered the sage’s blessing and used it again — this time with permission — to have five brave sons for herself and Pandu's other wife. Their names were Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. Together, the five brothers were called the Pandavas.

Kunti raised them with love, courage, and wisdom. But deep inside her heart, there was a secret she never told anyone — not even her sons. She had another son, Karna, out there in the world. Every time she saw the sun or heard a chariot’s wheels, she thought of him.

But Kunti stayed silent. Why?

Because she wasn’t sure how her sons would feel. What if they got upset or confused? What if Karna didn’t want to come back? Kunti wanted to protect everyone — and sometimes, keeping a secret felt safer than telling the truth.

Meanwhile, Karna grew up to be a mighty warrior. He wasn't just brave but also generous at heart. But he was often treated unfairly because people thought he was just a charioteer’s son. He became best friends with Duryodhana, who later fought against the Pandavas.

Just before the great war of Kurukshetra began, Kunti met Karna — quietly, under the morning sun. She told him the truth: “You are my son, born of the Sun God. You are the eldest Pandava.”

Karna was shocked. His eyes filled with tears. All his life, he had wondered about his real mother — and now she stood before him. She asked him to side with the Pandavas, his real brothers.

But Karna refused - he had already made promises. He was still loyal to his friend, Duryodhana, who had helped him in time of need.

He was angry at his mother. He said, "You conveniently came to me only when you wanted to save the lives of your other sons. I can't leave my friend. He supported me while you abandoned me and left to die. I had to face insults all my life because of you."

Kunti sobbed, knowing that he was right. But later, he calmed down and gave her a consolation.

"I cannot switch sides now," he said. "But I promise I will not kill any of your other sons -" He cleared his throat and added sternly, "- except Arjuna." Arjuna was his sworn rival in archery. He wouldn't spare him at any cost.

Kunti wept, but she understood. She had made mistakes and she would have to pay a price.