Shloka 263
कृती च चित्रयोधी च देशकालस्य कोविद: । क्योंकि कर्ण बलवान, अभिमानी, अस्त्रविद्याका विद्वान, महारथी, युद्धकुशल, विचित्र रीतिसे युद्ध करनेवाला तथा देशकालको समझनेवाला है
kṛtī ca citrayodhī ca deśakālasya kovidaḥ |
അവൻ കഴിവും നേട്ടവും ഉള്ളവൻ; വിചിത്രമായ രീതിയിൽ യുദ്ധം ചെയ്യുന്നവൻ; ദേശകാലങ്ങളെ തിരിച്ചറിയുന്നതിൽ പ്രാവീണ്യമുള്ളവൻ.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True power in war is not only strength but competence: adaptability in combat (citrayodhī) and discernment of the right place and time (deśakālasya kovidaḥ). The verse highlights strategic intelligence as an ethically weighty force—capable of protecting or destroying depending on one’s alignment with dharma.
Vāyu-deva is characterizing Karṇa’s battlefield qualities, emphasizing his effectiveness, unconventional fighting style, and situational awareness. The statement functions as an appraisal of Karṇa’s threat level and prowess within the unfolding conflict of the Karṇa Parva.