Shloka 22
भीष्मकृतः पाण्डवपक्ष-महारथ-प्रशंसा
Bhishma’s appraisal of Pandava-aligned chariot-warriors
रथानां क््व च विज्ञानं क््व च भीष्मोडल्पचेतन: । अहमावारयिष्यामि पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्,“कहाँ रथियोंको समझना और कहाँ अल्पबुद्धि भीष्म? मैं अकेला ही पाण्डवोंकी सेनाको आगे बढ़नेसे रोक दूँगा
rathānāṁ kva ca vijñānaṁ kva ca bhīṣmo 'lpa-cetanaḥ | aham āvārayiṣyāmi pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm ||
“Where is true discernment about the warriors of the chariot-corps, and where am I—Bhīṣma—of little understanding? Yet I shall, by myself, hold back the army of the Pāṇḍavas.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one doubts one’s own discernment, dharma as duty can demand steadfast action. Bhīṣma’s self-deprecation highlights humility, while his vow underscores commitment to responsibility in a grave ethical situation like war.
Bhīṣma speaks in the Udyoga Parva context of impending conflict, asserting that he alone will check the advance of the Pāṇḍava forces. The line frames him as both reflective (questioning his own ‘vijñāna’) and determined (promising to restrain the enemy host).