Shloka 263

Devanagari script

कृती च चित्रयोधी च देशकालस्य कोविद: । क्योंकि कर्ण बलवान, अभिमानी, अस्त्रविद्याका विद्वान, महारथी, युद्धकुशल, विचित्र रीतिसे युद्ध करनेवाला तथा देशकालको समझनेवाला है

Transliteration

kṛtī ca citrayodhī ca deśakālasya kovidaḥ |

Translation

เขาเป็นผู้สามารถและสำเร็จสมบูรณ์; รบด้วยลีลาพิสดารน่าพิศวง; และชำนาญในการพิจารณาสถานที่กับกาลเวลา

Word by Word

• कृती: skilful, capable
• कृती: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृतिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

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

• चित्रयोधी: one who fights in a wondrous/varied manner
• चित्रयोधी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र-योधिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

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

• देशकालस्य: of place and time
• देशकालस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश-काल
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• कोविदः: knowing, expert
• कोविदः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कोविद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāyu-deva
• Karna

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

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.