Shloka 20
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
सर्वे कृतप्रहरणाश्छेद भेदविशारदा: । रथोपस्थे गजस्कन्धे गदाप्रासासिचर्मणि
sarve kṛtapraharaṇāś cheda-bheda-viśāradāḥ | rathopasthe gaja-skandhe gadā-prāsāsi-carmaṇi ||
তোমরা সকলেই অস্ত্রশস্ত্রে সজ্জিত এবং ছেদন-ভেদনে পারদর্শী। রথের মঞ্চে ও হাতির পিঠে বসেও যুদ্ধ করতে পার; গদা, প্রাস এবং খড়্গ-ঢাল ব্যবহারে তোমরা দক্ষ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes that legitimate strength in war comes from disciplined preparation and mastery of weapons; competence and restraint are implied ethical foundations for kṣatriya action, rather than impulsive violence.
Bhīṣma addresses the assembled fighters, affirming their readiness and versatility in battle—able to fight from chariots and elephants and skilled with major weapons—thereby assessing and bolstering the martial capacity of the side he is counseling.