Shloka 7
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
नमस्कृत्य कुमाराय सेनानये शक्तिपाणये । अहं सेनापतिस्ते5द्य भविष्यामि न संशय:,“राजन! मैं हाथमें शक्ति धारण करनेवाले देवसेनापति कुमार कार्तिकेयको नमस्कार करके अब तुम्हारी सेनाका अधिपति होऊँगा, इसमें संशय नहीं है
namaskṛtya kumārāya senānaye śaktipāṇaye | ahaṃ senāpatir te 'dya bhaviṣyāmi na saṃśayaḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: „Nachdem ich Kumāra Kārttikeya—den göttlichen Heerführer der Götter, den Speerträger—verehrt und mich vor ihm verneigt habe, werde ich heute dein Oberbefehlshaber sein; daran besteht kein Zweifel.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests that assuming martial command should be accompanied by humility and reverence—seeking higher guidance (symbolized by saluting Skanda, archetype of disciplined generalship) so that power is exercised with restraint, clarity, and dharmic intent.
Sanjaya reports a declaration of taking up the role of commander-in-chief, preceded by a formal salutation to Kumāra Kārttikeya (Skanda), famed as the divine army-leader and spear-bearer, to affirm confidence and legitimacy in the impending military leadership.