Shloka 20
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
हतस्य नरकस्यात्मा कर्णमूर्तिमुपाश्रित: । तद् वैरं संस्मरन् वीर योत्स्यते केशवार्जुनौ,श्रीकृष्णके हाथों जो नरकासुर मारा गया है, उसकी आत्मा कर्णके शरीरमें घुस गयी है। वीरवर! वह (नरकासुर) उस वैरको याद करके श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनसे युद्ध करेगा
hatasyā narakasyātmā karṇamūrtim upāśritaḥ | tad vairaṃ saṃsmaran vīra yotsyate keśavārjunau ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “The spirit of Naraka—slain by Śrī Kṛṣṇa—has taken refuge in the embodied form of Karṇa. Remembering that former enmity, that mighty one will seek battle with Keśava and Arjuna.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how remembered enmity can persist beyond a single lifetime or episode and reassert itself through new circumstances. It cautions that unresolved hatred and vengeance can become a driving force behind future violence, suggesting an ethical need to restrain and transform hostility rather than perpetuate it.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Naraka, previously slain by Kṛṣṇa, has (in spirit) taken refuge in Karṇa’s body/form. Motivated by past hostility, this force is said to seek combat with Kṛṣṇa (Keśava) and Arjuna, foreshadowing intensified confrontation involving these figures.