Shloka 32
भीमसेन बोले--यह भूमि दुर्योधन, कर्ण, दुरात्मा शकुनि तथा चौथे दुःशासनके रक्तका निश्चय ही पान करेगी ।। अजुन उवाच असूयितार द्रष्टारं प्रवक्तारं विकत्थनम् | भीमसेन नियोगात् ते हन्ताहं कर्णमाहवे,अर्जुनने कहा--भैया भीमसेन! जो हमलोगोंके दोष ही ढूँढ़ा करता है, हमारे दुःख देखकर प्रसन्न होता है, कौरवोंको बुरी सलाहें देता है और व्यर्थ बढ़-बढ़कर बातें बनाता है, उस कर्णको मैं आपकी आज्ञासे अवश्य युद्धमें मार डालूँगा
arjuna uvāca
asūyitāraṁ draṣṭāraṁ pravaktāraṁ vikatthanam |
bhīmasena-niyogāt te hantāhaṁ karṇam āhave ||
Bhīmasena said: “This earth shall surely drink the blood of Duryodhana, of Karṇa, of wicked-souled Śakuni, and of Duḥśāsana (with his brothers).” Arjuna said: “Brother Bhīmasena! At your command I shall surely slay Karṇa in battle—he who is ever fault-finding and envious, who delights in our distress, who gives the Kauravas evil counsel, and who boasts with empty words.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames envy, delight in others’ suffering, harmful counsel, and empty boasting as morally blameworthy traits. Arjuna’s response presents a dharmic stance of opposing such adharma in the arena of kṣatriya duty, while also emphasizing disciplined action undertaken under a rightful injunction (niyoga) rather than mere personal rage.
In the aftermath of the humiliation and escalating hostility in the Kaurava court, Bhīma and Arjuna articulate vows of future retribution. Here Arjuna addresses Bhīma and declares that, at Bhīma’s command, he will kill Karṇa in the coming war, characterizing Karṇa as envious, cruelly pleased by others’ misery, a malicious adviser, and a vain boaster.