Kunti empathizes with Durydhana and chides Vidura and other Kuru elders for instilling the thought in Duryodhana in his childhood that he is the future emperor of Hastinapur. She says that Duryodhana has no other fault other than intense hatred for the Pandavas. His governance is impeccable. She therefore decides to respect Duryodhana's order as a king and would not attend Abhimanyu's wedding. Vidura pleads that Duryodhana's orders would not bind her, but she is firm in her resolve, which is in accordance with kshatriya tradition. She then lets her decision be known to Yudhishtra through a messenger. The messenger Kunti sends conveys the news to the Pandavas. Yudhishtra says he expected this, and implores Bhima to keep calm. They decide to conduct Abhimanyu's marriage without Kunti's participation. Abhimanyu's marriage is performed with due grandeur in the presence of Krishna, Balarama, and Virata and Drupada's families.
Surya appears before Karna in his dreams and warns him about Indra's plan of luring away his body armour and ear stud. He advises Karna not to give these away, as they protect his life. Karna doesn't agree to turn away anybody who asks him for anything.
The next day Karna goes to the river bank as usual for his morning ablutions and at the end gives away riches to the people asking alms. 
Indra who has disguised himself as a Brahmin asks for his kavacha kundalas. Karna tells the Brahmin that he is aware of his identity and intent; nevertheless, he would willingly give it to him. In fact, he need not have resorted to deceit, for he would have given it to him anyway for the asking. He then cuts the ear ring and the armor and gives it to Indra. Indra is taken aback and feels humbled by Karna's generosity. He offers to give Shakti missile to him in return. Karna declines at first to receive anything in reciprocation, but accepts it when Indra insists that he cannot receive his gift until he too gives something equally valuable in return.
Shakuni is conferring with Duryodhana and declares that they have nothing to fear in case of a war with the Pandavas, as long as Karna is on their side, because the congenital armour and ear studs Karna posesses have made him invincible. He reminds Duryodhana of the advice he had given him when Karna had challenged Arjuna at the tournament years back. He had wanted Duryodhana to extend his friendship to Karna because of his impenetrable body armour.
At this time Karna arrives and everybody is shocked to see him without the armour. Shakuni loses his cool and demands to know with whose permission Karna has gifted his armour to somebody. He rudely calls Karna as Duryodhana's slave who has no right over his own belongings. Karna asks Duryodhana whether he is a friend or a slave. Duryodhana mollifies him by asserting that Karna is his friend but Shakuni deflates Karna's ego totally by saying that Duryodhana has wasted his time and money over the 'sutaputra' whose mere allegiance is useless in the absence of his protecting armour.
After the marriage ceremony gets over, Krishna, Balarama, Virata and the Pandavas deliberate over the next course of action. Yudhishtra opines that they need to ascertain Kauravas' true intentions before deciding on taking recourse to war. Bhima favours war and retribution, but Krishna supports Yudhishtra's views.
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