Shloka 120
यथैव भगवान् ब्रह्मा लोकधाता पितामह: । सारथ्यमकरोत्तत्र रुद्रस्य परमो5व्यय:,वहाँ विश्वविधाता सर्वोत्कृष्ट अविनाशी पितामह भगवान् ब्रह्माने जिस प्रकार रुद्रका सारथि-कर्म किया था तथा जिस प्रकार उन पितामहने रुद्रदेवके घोड़ोंकी बागडोर सँभाली थी, उसी प्रकार आप भी शीघ्र ही इस महामनस्वी राधापुत्र कर्णके घोड़ोंको काबूमें कीजिये
yathaiva bhagavān brahmā lokadhātā pitāmahaḥ | sārathyam akarot tatra rudrasya paramo 'vyayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Just as the blessed Brahmā—creator of the worlds, the revered Grandsire, supreme and imperishable—once undertook the office of charioteer for Rudra, so too should you at once take firm control of the horses of Rādhā’s son, the great-souled Karṇa.”
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, excellence depends on disciplined performance of one’s assigned role. By invoking Brahmā’s exemplary act of serving as Rudra’s charioteer, the verse elevates charioteering from a mere technical task to a dharmic duty requiring steadiness, control, and prompt action.
Bhīṣma addresses the charioteer, urging him to quickly and firmly manage Karṇa’s horses. He supports the instruction with a mythic precedent: Brahmā once acted as Rudra’s charioteer, so the listener should likewise take up the reins for Karṇa without hesitation.