Shloka 9
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava-Aligned Mahārathas
Warrior Roster and Motivations
वृषसेनाय सौभद्रं शेषाणां च महीक्षिताम् | स समर्थ हि त॑ मेने पार्थादभ्यधिकं रणे,कर्णपुत्र बृषसेन तथा शेष राजाओंके साथ युद्ध करने-का काम सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युको सौंपा, क्योंकि वे उसे युद्धमें अर्जुनसे भी अधिक शक्तिशाली समझते थे
vṛṣasenāya saubhadraṃ śeṣāṇāṃ ca mahīkṣitām | sa samartha hi taṃ mene pārthād abhyadhikaṃ raṇe ||
Sañjaya sprach: Er übertrug Vṛṣasena die Aufgabe, Saubhadra (Abhimanyu) anzugreifen, und wies den übrigen Königen ihre jeweiligen Gegner zu; denn er hielt Abhimanyu für völlig gewachsen—ja, im Kampf schätzte er ihn sogar höher ein als Pārtha (Arjuna).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a leader’s duty to judge capability and assign responsibilities accordingly; it also underscores the kṣatriya ethic that valor and competence in battle determine one’s role, while reminding readers that reputations and assessments of strength shape strategic decisions.
Sañjaya reports that the commander apportions combat duties: Vṛṣasena is directed to face Abhimanyu (Saubhadra), while other kings are assigned elsewhere, because Abhimanyu is regarded as exceptionally capable—considered even stronger than Arjuna in battle.