Shloka 34

Devanagari script

कर्णो5प्याविष्ट चित्तात्मा नरकस्यान्तरात्मना

Transliteration

karṇo 'py āviṣṭa-cittātmā narakasyāntarātmanā

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Even Karṇa, his mind and inner self seized and overwhelmed by a hellish impulse from within, became inwardly possessed—driven by a dark, destructive resolve rather than clear discernment. The line underscores how inner corruption can overtake judgment and bend a person toward harmful choices.

Word by Word

कर्णःKarna

अपिalso/even

आविष्टpossessed/overcome/entered

चित्तात्माone whose mind (is so affected); mind-souled

नरकस्यof hell

अन्तरात्मनाby/with the inner self (inner spirit)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Karṇa

Naraka

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that ethical failure often begins internally: when the mind is overtaken by a 'hellish' inner drive—anger, envy, resentment, or delusion—one’s discernment collapses and harmful action becomes easier. It warns that guarding the inner life is essential to sustaining dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes Karṇa’s psychological state: he is portrayed as mentally overwhelmed, as if possessed from within by a hellish force. The narration frames Karṇa’s ensuing stance or actions as arising from inner turmoil and moral darkness rather than calm, righteous judgment.