Shloka 2
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
एतस्य सेना दुर्धर्षा समरे प्रतियायिन: । विकृतायुधभूयिष्ठा वायुवेगसमा जवे
etasya senā durdharṣā samare pratiyāyinaḥ | vikṛtāyudha-bhūyiṣṭhā vāyu-vega-samā jave ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Sein Heer ist schwer zu widerstehen. In der Schlacht stehen sie fest und rücken dem Feind entgegen; ihre Schnelligkeit ist wie der Wind, und sie sind reichlich mit Waffen vieler ungewöhnlicher Formen ausgestattet.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent discernment in dharmic statecraft: before action, one must realistically assess an opponent’s capability—discipline, readiness to meet attack, speed, and armament—so that decisions in war are not driven by pride or ignorance.
Bhīṣma is describing the formidable nature of a particular force: it is difficult to overcome, advances to confront enemies directly in battle, moves with wind-like speed, and is well supplied with a variety of weapons.