Shloka 26
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
रथ एष महाराज मतो मे राजसत्तम । त्वदर्थ त्यक्ष्यते प्राणान् सहसैन्यो महारणे,महाराज! नृपश्रेष्ठ! ये मेरे मतमें रथी ही हैं और इस महायुद्धमें तुम्हारे लिये अपनी सेनासहित प्राणत्याग करेंगे
ratha eṣa mahārāja mato me rājasattama | tvadartha tyakṣyate prāṇān sahasainyo mahāraṇe ||
Bhīṣma said: “O great king, O best among rulers—this man is, in my judgment, a true chariot-warrior. For your sake, in the great battle, he will give up his life, even together with his troops.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of royal service in kṣatriya culture: a worthy warrior is recognized not only by status but by steadfast loyalty and readiness to sacrifice life for the king’s cause in a righteous conflict.
Bhīṣma is assessing a warrior’s caliber before the impending war, assuring the addressed king that this chariot-warrior, in Bhīṣma’s judgment, will fight for the king’s interest and is prepared to die—along with his contingent—in the great battle.