Shloka 8
Kaurava Mobilization at Kurukṣetra (Duryodhana Orders War Preparations) / कुरुक्षेत्रे धार्तराष्ट्र-सैन्यसज्जा
यः सहेत रणे भीष्मं शरार्चि: पावकोपमम् | त॑ तावत् सहदेवात्र प्रब्रूहि कुरुनन्दन । स्वमतं पुरुषव्याप्र को नः सेनापति: क्षम:
yaḥ saheta raṇe bhīṣmaṁ śarārciḥ pāvakopamam | taṁ tāvat sahadevātra prabrūhi kurunandana | svamataṁ puruṣavyāghra ko naḥ senāpatiḥ kṣamaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Tell us first, here and now, Sahadeva—O joy of the Kurus, O tiger among men—who, in your judgment, is fit to be our commander. Who could withstand in battle Bhīṣma, blazing like fire with the flame of his arrows? Since all these warriors are trained in archery and capable of fighting with every kind of weapon, we must decide which among them should lead—one who understands the divisions of the army and can endure the onslaught of that radiant elder.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when many are skilled, leadership must be chosen by fitness for responsibility: knowledge of the army’s organization and the capacity to face the greatest threat (Bhīṣma). The verse highlights prudent deliberation and competence as ethical requirements for command in war.
In the Udyoga Parva’s preparations for war, Vaiśampāyana narrates a council-like moment: Sahadeva is asked to give his opinion on who should be appointed commander, specifically someone able to withstand Bhīṣma’s fierce, arrow-like flames in battle.