Shloka 20
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
हतस्य नरकस्यात्मा कर्णमूर्तिमुपाश्रित: । तद् वैरं संस्मरन् वीर योत्स्यते केशवार्जुनौ,श्रीकृष्णके हाथों जो नरकासुर मारा गया है, उसकी आत्मा कर्णके शरीरमें घुस गयी है। वीरवर! वह (नरकासुर) उस वैरको याद करके श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनसे युद्ध करेगा
hatasyā narakasyātmā karṇamūrtim upāśritaḥ | tad vairaṃ saṃsmaran vīra yotsyate keśavārjunau ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: “Ang espiritu ni Naraka—na pinaslang ni Śrī Kṛṣṇa—ay sumilong sa katawang anyo ni Karṇa. Sa pag-alaala sa dating alitan, hahanapin ng makapangyarihang iyon ang labanan laban kina Keśava at Arjuna.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how remembered enmity can persist beyond a single lifetime or episode and reassert itself through new circumstances. It cautions that unresolved hatred and vengeance can become a driving force behind future violence, suggesting an ethical need to restrain and transform hostility rather than perpetuate it.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Naraka, previously slain by Kṛṣṇa, has (in spirit) taken refuge in Karṇa’s body/form. Motivated by past hostility, this force is said to seek combat with Kṛṣṇa (Keśava) and Arjuna, foreshadowing intensified confrontation involving these figures.