Shloka 4
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
धृष्टय्युम्नश्व सेनानी: सर्वसेनासु भारत | मतो मे5तिरथो राजन् द्रोणशिष्यो महारथ:,भारत! जो पाण्डवोंकी सम्पूर्ण सेनाका सेनापति है, वह द्रोणाचार्यका महारथी शिष्य धृष्टद्युम्न मेरे विचारसे अतिरथी है
Dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca senānīḥ sarvasenāsu Bhārata | mato me ’tiratho rājan Droṇaśiṣyo mahārathaḥ ||
Bhishma sprach: „O Bhārata, Dhṛṣṭadyumna — der Oberbefehlshaber des gesamten Pāṇḍava-Heeres — gilt mir, o König, als ein Atiratha, ein Krieger höchsten Ranges. Er ist ein großer Wagenkämpfer und Schüler Droṇas.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights responsible military discernment: a leader like Bhīṣma must accurately evaluate the opponent’s key commanders and their capability (atiratha status). It also underscores the ethical weight of knowledge and training—Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s prowess is linked to his formation under Droṇa, showing how instruction shapes power that later bears consequences in war.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Bhīṣma is briefing King Dhṛtarāṣṭra about the principal warriors on the Pāṇḍava side. Here he identifies Dhṛṣṭadyumna as the overall commander of the Pāṇḍava forces and judges him to be an atiratha, emphasizing his stature as Droṇa’s formidable disciple.