Shloka 34

Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ

Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit

Devanagari script

कर्णो5प्याविष्ट चित्तात्मा नरकस्यान्तरात्मना

Transliteration

karṇo 'py āviṣṭa-cittātmā narakasyāntarātmanā

Translation

వైశంపాయనుడు చెప్పెను—కర్ణుడు కూడా, నరకసమానమైన అంతఃప్రేరణ చేత తన చిత్తాత్మలు ఆవరించబడగా, లోపల నుంచే ఆవిష్టుడైనవాడిలా అయ్యాడు.

Word by Word

• कर्णः: Karna
• कर्णः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• आविष्ट: possessed/overcome/entered
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-विश्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)

• चित्तात्मा: one whose mind (is so affected); mind-souled
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्तात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नरकस्य: of hell
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरक
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• अन्तरात्मना: by/with the inner self (inner spirit)
• अन्तरात्मना: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तरात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Karṇa
• Naraka

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.