Shloka 65

Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)

Devanagari script

एवं कृते रथस्थो5हं गुणैरभ्यधिको<र्जुनात्‌ । भवे युधि जयेयं च फाल्गुनं कुरुसत्तम

Transliteration

evaṁ kṛte rathastho ’haṁ guṇair abhyadhiko ’rjunāt | bhave yudhi jayeyam ca phālgunaṁ kurusattama ||

Translation

ఇలా జరిగితే, రథస్థుడనైన నేను గుణాలలో అర్జునుని మించిపోతాను; యుద్ధంలో ఫాల్గుణుని జయిస్తాను. ఓ కురుశ్రేష్ఠా, ఈ కార్యాన్ని సిద్ధం చేయించండి.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• कृते: when (it is) done; after doing
• कृते: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), neuter, locative, singular

• रथस्थः: standing on the chariot; chariot-mounted
• रथस्थः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रथस्थ
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• गुणैः: by qualities; in virtues/skills
• गुणैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण
• Form: masculine, instrumental, plural

• अभ्यधिकः: superior; exceeding
• अभ्यधिकः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभ्यधिक
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• अर्जुनात्: than Arjuna; from Arjuna
• अर्जुनात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन
• Form: masculine, ablative, singular

• भवे: may I become; let me be
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू
• Form: लोट् (imperative/benedictive sense), 1st, singular, Parasmaipada

• युधि: in battle
• युधि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध्
• Form: feminine, locative, singular

• जयेयम्: I should conquer; may I win
• Type: Verb
• Root: जि
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), 1st, singular, Parasmaipada

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• फाल्गुनम्: Phalguna (Arjuna)
• फाल्गुनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: फाल्गुन
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• कुरुसत्तम: O best of the Kurus
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरुसत्तम
• Form: masculine, vocative, singular

Speaker

कर्ण उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Karna
• Arjuna
• Phalguna
• chariot

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the warrior ethic of seeking victory through readiness, support, and confidence in one’s abilities—yet it also implicitly warns how pride and rivalry can drive ethical choices in war.

What is happening in the narrative?

Karna, addressing a Kuru leader (likely Duryodhana), asserts that if the requested arrangement is carried out, he will surpass Arjuna and defeat him in battle, emphasizing his dependence on proper chariot-positioning and enabling conditions.