Shloka 27
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
ततः कर्णो महाराज आशीविष इव श्वसन्
tataḥ karṇo mahārāja āśīviṣa iva śvasan
ثم إنّ كارنا، أيها الملك العظيم، كان يزفر كالأفعى السامّة؛ فأنفاسه الحارّة الخشنة كانت تُنذر بتصاعد الغضب وعزمٍ قاتل، إذ اشتدّت توتّراتُ الميدان الأخلاقيةُ والعاطفية.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a serpent-simile to show how unchecked anger and pride can become ‘poisonous’ in war—intensifying violence and narrowing ethical judgment. It highlights how inner states (wrath, agitation) shape outward action and its consequences.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa’s immediate reaction in the battle: he is visibly agitated, breathing hard like a venomous snake, indicating readiness to strike with deadly intent and signaling an escalation in the combat mood.