Shloka 20
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
सर्वे कृतप्रहरणाश्छेद भेदविशारदा: । रथोपस्थे गजस्कन्धे गदाप्रासासिचर्मणि,तुम सब लोग अस्त्रविद्याके ज्ञाता तथा छेदन-भेदनमें कुशल हो। रथपर और हाथीकी पीठपर बैठकर भी युद्ध कर सकते हो। गदा, प्रास तथा ढाल-तलवारके प्रयोगमें भी कुशल हो
sarve kṛtapraharaṇāś cheda-bheda-viśāradāḥ | rathopasthe gaja-skandhe gadā-prāsāsi-carmaṇi ||
Bhīṣma said: “All of you are fully equipped for combat and are adept in the arts of cutting and cleaving. You can fight from the platform of a chariot and from the back of an elephant, and you are skilled in the use of the mace, the spear, and the sword-and-shield.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes that legitimate strength in war comes from disciplined preparation and mastery of weapons; competence and restraint are implied ethical foundations for kṣatriya action, rather than impulsive violence.
Bhīṣma addresses the assembled fighters, affirming their readiness and versatility in battle—able to fight from chariots and elephants and skilled with major weapons—thereby assessing and bolstering the martial capacity of the side he is counseling.