Shloka 21
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
संयन्तार: प्रहर्तार: कृतास्त्रा भारसाधना: । इष्वस्त्रे द्रोणशिष्याश्व॒ कृपस्य च शरद्वतः,तुमलोग रथके संचालन और अस्त्रोंके प्रहारमें भी निपुण हो। अस्त्रविद्याके ज्ञाता तथा भार उठानेमें भी समर्थ हो। धनुष-बाणकी विद्यामें तो तुमलोग द्रोणाचार्य और कृपाचार्यके सुयोग्य शिष्य हो
saṁyantāraḥ prahartāraḥ kṛtāstrā bhārasādhanāḥ | iṣvastre droṇaśiṣyāś ca kṛpasya ca śaradvatāḥ ||
তোমরা রথ চালনায় ও আঘাত হানায় নিপুণ; অস্ত্রবিদ্যায় প্রশিক্ষিত এবং ভার বহনে সক্ষম। ধনুর্বিদ্যায় তোমরা দ্রোণ এবং শরদ্বান কৃপ—উভয়েরই যোগ্য শিষ্য।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes disciplined competence: warriors should unite technical mastery (weapons and chariot-control) with endurance and reliability. The verse frames martial excellence as a duty-bound preparedness grounded in proper training under respected teachers.
In Bhīṣma’s address, he is describing and affirming the fighting capability of the addressed warriors—praising their chariot-handling, striking power, weapon-training, and their pedigree as students of Droṇa and Kṛpa—thereby strengthening resolve and assessing readiness for the coming conflict.