Shloka 343
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
अर्जुनस्य वधे क्रूरां करोति सम तदा मतिम् । इधर कर्ण भी नरकासुरकी अन्तरात्मासे आविष्टचित्त होनेके कारण अर्जुनका वध करनेके लिये क्रूरतापूर्ण संकल्प करने लगा
arjunasya vadhe krūrāṁ karoti saṁ tadā matim |
Vaiśampāyana said: At that time he formed a harsh and ruthless resolve to bring about Arjuna’s death. Overpowered inwardly—his mind seized by the influence associated with Narakāsura—Karna turned toward a cruel determination to kill Arjuna, showing how inner possession and unchecked hostility can distort judgment and drive one toward adharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A mind overtaken by hostile impulses or external influence can harden into cruelty; ethical discernment (dharma-buddhi) is lost when one nurtures vengeance, leading to resolutions that violate restraint and righteousness.
The narrator states that Karna, inwardly seized by an influence linked with Narakāsura, forms a ruthless determination to kill Arjuna—intensifying the antagonism and foreshadowing violent intent.