Shloka 3
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 165 — Bhīṣma’s Appraisal and Karṇa’s Rebuttal (भीष्म–कर्ण विवादः)
एतस्य रथवंशे हि तिग्मवेगप्रहारिण: । काम्बोजानां महाराज शलभानामिवायति:
etasya rathavaṁśe hi tigmavegaprahāriṇaḥ | kāmbojānāṁ mahārāja śalabhānām ivāyatiḥ ||
قال بهيشما: «أيها الملك العظيم، إن في سلالة هذا المقاتل من أهل العجلات قوةَ ضربةٍ عاتيةٍ سريعةٍ حقًّا. وإن اندفاع الكامبوجا يقع على العدو كأسراب الجراد المباغتة—جارفًا، خاطفًا، عسيرَ الدفع.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how inherited martial discipline and collective force can make an army’s advance irresistible; it cautions rulers to recognize the real momentum of trained warrior-groups and not underestimate a swift, coordinated assault.
Bhīṣma is describing the fighting quality and terrifying advance associated with a particular warrior’s chariot-lineage, comparing the Kāmbojas’ onrush to a locust-swarm—an image meant to convey speed, density, and overwhelming impact in battle.