Shloka 4
भीष्म–जामदग्न्यसंवादः (Amba-prasaṅga and Kurukṣetra Dvandva Declaration) / Bhishma–Jamadagnya Dialogue
सूतश्न मातरिश्वा वै कवचं वेदमातर: । सुसंवीतो रणे ताभिरय्योत्स्ये5हं कुरुनन्दन
sūtaśna mātariśvā vai kavacaṁ vedamātaraḥ | susaṁvīto raṇe tābhir ayodhyotsye ’haṁ kurunandana ||
মাতরিশ্বা (বায়ুদেব)ই আমার সারথি, আর বেদমাতৃগণই আমার কবচ। তাদের দ্বারা সুসংবৃত হয়ে, হে কুরুনন্দন, আমি রণে যুদ্ধ করব।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames true martial preparedness as grounded in sacred discipline and divine alignment: protection and strength arise from Vedic sanctity (the ‘Veda-mothers’ as armor) and cosmic support (Vāyu as charioteer), suggesting that dharmic intent and spiritual authority can be more decisive than material armaments.
Bhīṣma recounts the battle posture being declared: the speaker depicts his readiness to fight while symbolically equipping himself with divine and Vedic supports—Vāyu as charioteer and the Veda-mothers as armor—underscoring the solemn, vow-driven nature of the impending combat.