Shloka 18

Devanagari script

बृहद्धलस्तथा राजा कौसल्यो रथसत्तम: । रथो मम मतस्तात महावेगपराक्रम:,तात! महान्‌ वेग और पराक्रमसे सम्पन्न कोसलदेशके राजा बृहद्‌बल भी मेरी दृष्टिमें एक रथी हैं और रथियोंमें इनका स्थान बहुत ऊँचा है

Transliteration

Bṛhaddhalas tathā rājā Kausalyo rathasattamaḥ | ratho mama matas tāta mahāvegaparākramaḥ ||

Translation

قال بيشما: «وكذلك بْرِهَدَّهَلَ، ملكُ كوسالا—وهو من أمهر فرسان العربة—يا بُنيّ، أعدّه في نظري من أرفع أصحاب العربات. فقد أوتي سرعةً عظيمة وبأسًا بطوليًّا.»

Word by Word

बृहद्बलःBṛhadbala (the mighty-strong one; proper name)

तथाalso, likewise

राजाking

कौसल्यःof Kosala, Kosalan

रथसत्तमःbest among chariot-warriors

रथःa chariot-warrior (ratha)

ममof me, my

मतःconsidered, regarded (as)

तातdear one, son (vocative address)

महावेगपराक्रमःpossessing great speed and prowess

तातdear one (vocative)

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Bṛhaddhala

Kosala

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the Kṣatriya ideal of recognizing merit in battle: Bhīṣma evaluates warriors by tangible qualities—speed, strength, and valor—emphasizing fair appraisal and respect for capability even amid impending conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Udyoga Parva’s preparations for war, Bhīṣma is describing and ranking notable fighters. Here he names Bṛhaddhala of Kosala and counts him among the high-class chariot-warriors (rathas), praising his great speed and prowess.