Shloka 34
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 54: फल्गुन-प्रतिरोधः, सौबली-व्यूह-विध्वंसः, दुर्योधन-भीष्म-संवादः
तथा त्वमपि पाण्डूनां सेनानी: पुरुषर्षभ । “तुम मेरे सेनापति हो, भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके समान पराक्रमी हो। पुरुषरत्न! पूर्वकालमें भगवान् कार्तिकेय जिस प्रकार देवताओंके सेनापति हुए थे, उसी प्रकार तुम भी पाण्डवोंके सेनानायक होओ' ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
tac chrutvā jahṛṣuḥ pārthāḥ pārthivāś ca mahārathāḥ |
sādhu sādhv iti tad vākyam ūcuḥ sarve mahīkṣitaḥ ||
punar apy abravīd rājā dhṛṣṭadyumnaṁ mahābalam |
sa tvaṁ puruṣaśārdūla vikrameṇa jahi kauravān |
ye cānye pṛthivīpālāḥ pradhānāḥ puruṣarṣabha ||
“Thus you too are the commander of the Pāṇḍus, O best of men.” Hearing Yudhiṣṭhira’s words, all the sons of Pāṇḍu and the great chariot-warriors among the kings rejoiced, and every ruler praised the speech, saying, “Well spoken! Well spoken!” Then King Yudhiṣṭhira again addressed the mighty Dhṛṣṭadyumna: “Tiger among men, by your valor strike down the Kauravas—and also those other foremost kings who stand with them, O best of men.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: a leader’s responsibility is to strengthen morale, affirm capable command, and direct force toward the opposing army with clarity and courage, while the community of allies supports and endorses righteous resolve.
After Yudhiṣṭhira’s earlier commendation, the Pāṇḍavas and allied kings applaud his words. Yudhiṣṭhira then turns again to Dhṛṣṭadyumna, urging him to lead with valor and to strike the Kauravas and their principal allied rulers.