‘You are neither Kunti’s biological son, nor Adiratha’s foster-son. You are Karna. Just as I am more than Devaki’s biological son and Nanda’s foster-son. Warrior, charioteer, cowherd—these are artificial identities imposed by society. You are not merely your skills either. You are more than an archer. I see you, Karna: you are someone who has the power to stop a war. That is most important, even more than justice. As lawyers we can always argue who is right and who is wrong, but no man can bring back the dead. Let us not get people killed. Let us not create widows and orphans.’
