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In this story, Krishna shows Arjuna an important lesson about giving and letting go, using Karna's selfless gift of two mountains of gold as a key example.
Characters in the story:
Lord Krishna: Lord Krishna is one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism. He is worshiped as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and is known for his divine teachings in the Bhagavad Gita and for his role in the epic Mahabharata.
Arjuna: Arjuna is a skilled and virtuous warrior prince and one of the central characters in Mahabharata. He is renowned for his archery prowess and is a key figure in the Kurukshetra War, where he faces moral dilemmas on the battlefield, eventually receiving divine guidance from Lord Krishna.
Karna: Karna is a prominent character in Mahabharata. He is known for his valor, generosity, and tragic fate, as he was the son of the sun god Surya, but was abandoned at birth and raised by a low-caste charioteer.
Once, Krishna and Arjuna were walking towards a village. During their walk, Arjuna kept questioning Krishna, insisting on knowing why Karna was considered the greatest donor, and not him.
In response, Krishna transformed two nearby mountains into gold. He then instructed Arjuna, “Distribute these two mountains of gold among the villagers, and make sure every bit of it is given away.”
Eager to prove himself, Arjuna went into the village and announced his plan to distribute the gold. He asked all the villagers to gather near the mountains. As they sang his praises, Arjuna strutted toward the mountains, his chest puffed up with pride.
For two days and nights, Arjuna tirelessly shoveled gold and handed it out to each villager. Despite his efforts, the mountains seemed just as large as when he had started. The villagers quickly returned for more, forming long lines. Exhausted and unable to continue, Arjuna confessed to Krishna that he couldn’t go on without rest.
Krishna then summoned Karna, asking him to distribute the remaining gold. Without hesitation, Karna gathered the villagers and simply said, “Those two mountains of gold are yours,” and then he walked away.
Arjuna watched in disbelief, wondering why such a straightforward solution hadn’t occurred to him.
Krishna, noticing Arjuna’s confusion, explained with a sly smile, “You see, Arjuna, deep down, you were still attached to the gold. You reluctantly gave it away, deciding how much each person deserved based on what you felt was generous. Your ego influenced your giving.”
“Karna, on the other hand, has no such attachment. He didn’t linger for praise or worry about criticism. He simply gave away the fortune and left. That’s the mark of a man who is truly on the path to enlightenment.”
Krishna continued, “Giving in hopes of receiving praise or thanks isn’t really giving—it turns the act into a transaction.”
“True giving means expecting nothing in return.”
Arjuna learns that true generosity lies in giving without expectation, a lesson illuminated by Karna’s effortless and detached act of charity. This story underscores the profound difference between giving to receive praise and giving freely without any strings attached.
