Shloka 1

Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)

Devanagari script

ऑपन--माजल छा |: एकोनसप्तत्यधिकशततमो< ध्याय: पाण्डवपक्षके रथी आदिका एवं उनकी महिमाका वर्णन भीष्म उवाच एते रथास्तवाख्यातास्तथैवातिरथा नृप । ये चाप्यर्धरथा राजन्‌ पाण्डवानामत: शूणु

Transliteration

Bhīṣma uvāca: ete rathās tavākhyātās tathaivātirathā nṛpa | ye cāpy ardharathā rājan pāṇḍavānām ataḥ śṛṇu ||

Translation

Bhishma said: “O king, the chariot-warriors, the great chariot-warriors, and the lesser chariot-warriors on your side have been duly described. Now, O ruler, listen as I set forth the chariot-warriors and others belonging to the Pandavas.”

Word by Word

• {'bhīṣma uvāca': 'Bhishma said', 'ete': 'these', 'rathāḥ': 'chariot-warriors (fighters counted by chariot-rank)', 'tava': 'your', 'ākhyātāḥ': 'have been declared/described', 'tathā eva': 'just so/likewise', 'atirathāḥ': 'great chariot-warriors (elite rank)', 'nṛpa': 'O king', 'ye ca api': 'and also those who', 'ardharathāḥ': 'half-chariot-warriors (lower rank than ratha/atiratha)', 'rājan': 'O king', 'pāṇḍavānām': 'of the Pandavas', 'ataḥ': 'therefore/now/next', 'śṛṇu': 'listen'}

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Dhritarashtra (implied by address nṛpa/rājan)
• Pandavas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler must hear a complete and balanced assessment before acting. Bhishma’s orderly listing of both sides’ strengths underscores prudent judgment and responsibility in matters of war.

What is happening in the narrative?

After describing the Kaurava side’s warriors by rank (ratha, atiratha, ardharatha), Bhishma turns to describe the Pandava side’s warriors, continuing a structured appraisal of the forces before the impending conflict.