Shloka 8
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Disclosure, Drupada’s Counsel, and the Petition to Yakṣa Sthūṇākarṇa
Udyoga Parva 192
भीष्म उवाच अनुरूप कुरुश्रेष्ठ त्वय्येतत् पृथिवीपते । बलाबलममित्राणां तेषां यदिह पृच्छसि,भीष्मजीने कहा--कुरुश्रेष्ठ! पृथ्वीपते! तुम जो यहाँ शत्रुओंके बलाबलके विषयमें पूछ रहे हो, यह तुम्हारे योग्य ही है
bhīṣma uvāca anurūpa kuruśreṣṭha tvayy etat pṛthivīpate | balābalam amitrāṇāṃ teṣāṃ yad iha pṛcchasi ||
Bhīṣma sprach: «O Bester der Kurus, o Herr der Erde! Das ist ganz angemessen für dich. Dass du hier nach Stärke und Schwäche deiner Feinde fragst, entspricht deinem Rang und deiner Pflicht.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s duty includes prudent assessment of opponents—knowing an enemy’s strengths and weaknesses is not mere curiosity but responsible kingship aligned with dharma and effective governance.
Bhishma responds to the king’s inquiry about adversaries, affirming that such strategic questioning is appropriate for a sovereign and setting the tone for counsel on political and military realities.