18 The raid on Kampilya
The news that Karna was no longer wearing his armour excited the Pandava princes as much as it worried the Kurus. But why was he not wearing it? Was the rumour true? Was he only going to wear it on special occasions? Had it been stolen?
Dur was the first to question Karna, who replied quite simply that he had given it away as alms to a brahmana. But Karna asked the prince not to talk about it to the others, and refused to discuss the matter further.
Though the Pandava princes could hardly restrain their curiosity, none of them felt comfortable about broaching the subject with Karna. However, they did not have to wait long for confirmation of their hopes. The news of Karna’s alleged loss soon reached the elders of the palace. When Kripa and Bhishma heard of it the
