Karṇa’s Counsel on Śrī
Fortune) and the Proposed Display before the Exiled Pāṇḍavas (कर्णवचनम् / श्रीप्रदर्शन-प्रस्तावः
जगाम पावकाभ्याशं तं॑ं चोवाच वराड़ना । मामग्ने कामसंतप्तां त्वं कामयितुमरहसि
jagāma pāvakābhyāśaṃ taṃ ca uvāca varāṅganā | mām agne kāma-santaptāṃ tvaṃ kāmayitum arhasi ||
પછી તે સુન્દરી પાવક (અગ્નિ)ના સમીપ ગઈ અને બોલી—“હે અગ્ને! હું કામતાપથી દગ્ધ છું; તું મને સ્વીકારવા યોગ્ય છે.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
The verse sets up a dharmic test: intense desire is presented as a force that can pressure one into wrongdoing, highlighting the ethical need for restraint and discernment when confronted by temptation.
A beautiful woman approaches Agni and speaks to him, declaring that she is tormented by desire and asking him to accept her—initiating a scene of seduction that will test conduct and propriety.