Shloka 20
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 165 — Bhīṣma’s Appraisal and Karṇa’s Rebuttal (भीष्म–कर्ण विवादः)
कृप: शारद्वतो राजन् रथयूथपयूथप: । प्रियान् प्राणान् परित्यज्य प्रधक्ष्यति रिपूंस्तव,राजन! शरद्वानके पुत्र कृपाचार्य तो रथयूथपतियोंके भी यूथपति हैं। ये अपने प्यारे प्राणोंकी परवा न करके तुम्हारे शत्रुओंकोी जला डालेंगे
kṛpaḥ śāradvatō rājan rathayūthapayūthapaḥ | priyān prāṇān parityajya pradhakṣyati ripūṁs tava rājan ||
Bhīṣma said: “O King, Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat, a leader even among the leaders of chariot-squadrons, will cast aside concern for his own dear life and burn down your enemies in battle.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises steadfast duty and martial resolve: a commander should place responsibility to the cause and protection of one’s side above personal safety, embodying kṣatriya-dharma and disciplined leadership.
In Bhīṣma’s counsel to the Kuru king, he enumerates and commends key warriors. Here he highlights Kṛpa’s high rank among chariot-commanders and foretells his fierce commitment to destroying the king’s enemies in the coming war.