Shloka 34
जतुगृहदाहः — The Burning of the Lac House and the Pāṇḍavas’ Concealed Escape
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्तस्य कर्णस्य व्रीडावनतमाननम् | बभौ वर्षाम्बुविक्लिन्नं पच्ममागलितं यथा,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! कृपाचार्यके यों कहनेपर कर्णका मुख लज्जासे नीचेको झुक गया। जैसे वर्षाके पानीसे भींगकर कमल मुरझा जाता है, उसी प्रकार कर्णका मुँह म्लान हो गया
vaiśampāyana uvāca evam uktasya karṇasya vrīḍāvanatam ānanam | babhau varṣāmbuviklinnaṃ padmam āgalitaṃ yathā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When Karṇa was addressed in this manner, his face, lowered in shame, appeared like a lotus drooping and withering after being drenched by the waters of the rainy season. The image underscores how a pointed admonition can humble even the proud, revealing an inner moral tension between self-image and the demands of right conduct.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical force of reproach: when one is confronted with words that expose a lapse in propriety or dharma, the natural response can be humility and shame. The lotus simile suggests that pride and composure can quickly droop under the weight of moral scrutiny.
After Kṛpācārya speaks to Karṇa in a pointed manner, Karṇa’s face lowers in embarrassment and becomes visibly downcast. Vaiśampāyana narrates this reaction to Janamejaya, comparing Karṇa’s expression to a rain-soaked lotus that has wilted.