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Star Plus Mahabharat (S20 E7) shows that when Karna is in a lot of pain after cutting off his armour and ear-rings and donating them to Indra, Nakula and Sahadeva cure him of his wounds. Karna then regains consciousness.

Is this story found in Vyasa Mahabharata?

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  • I read the "Kavach Kundal daan" part some time ago in Mahabharata, There was no such description of Nakula and Sahdeva treating Karna. – V.Aggarwal Jul 31 at 10:49
  • Well, there are many versions of MB. Do you want to limit your question to Vyasa MB only? – Krishna Shweta Aug 1 at 17:35
  • @KrishnaShweta it's not about limit or no limit. Vyasa was original author so I prefer the closest version to that. – Vikas Aug 22 at 11:16
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    I asked you since what is there in question could be there in other version. However it's totally up to you to choose which version you are interested in. – Krishna Shweta Aug 24 at 8:38
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We can safely say that part is added by the writers of the show. Even in old movies on Mahabharata, this treatment episode by Nakula and Sahadeva is not shown. Indra was not merciless to leave Karna wounded. Since Karna was following his vow of keeping his word and charity, Indra gave a boon to Karna that even after his body is cut while peeling off armour, it would not leave any scar. Karna didn't feel pain while peeling off armour or ear-rings due to this boon.

From Manmatha Nath Dutta's English translation of Aranya parva Mahabharata chapter 308: (emphasis mine)

Karna said :

  1. Notwithstanding it is so, O adorable one, give me an infallible dart, destructive of a heroic person, wherewith 1 can kill a mighty (foe).
  2. Cutting the ear-rings and the mail from my body, I will give them to you. But let not my limbs, thus wounded, look ugly.

Indra said :—

  1. O Karna, since you are desirous of observing the truth, you will not look ugly nor will there be any scars on your body.

  2. O best of speakers, O Karna, you will be again endued with the complexion and energy of your father.

........

  1. The gods, the mortals, and the Danavas, seeing Karna cut off his own body, began to roar like lions, because no signs of contortions were visible on his face.

From Kisari Mohan Ganguli's English translation of the same chapter i.e., chapter 308 of Aranya Parva:

I shall, on my part, bestow on thee my mail and ear-rings, cutting them off my person. Do thou, however, grant that my body, thus wounded, may not be unsightly!' Hearing this, Indra said, 'As thou, O Karna, art bent upon observing the truth, thy person shall not be unsightly, or shall any scar remain on it. And, O thou best of those that are graced with speech, O Karna, thou shall be possessed of complexion and energy of thy father him self...........And Karna betrayed no contortions of face while peeling his mail.

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