Shloka 24
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
तव सेनां महाबाहु: स्वां चैव परिपालयन् । ये बलवान, सत्यपराक्रमी, महाबाहु अर्जुन क्रोधमें आकर तुम्हारी सेनाका संहार करेंगे और अपनी सेनाकी रक्षामें संलग्न रहेंगे || २३ है ।।
tava senāṃ mahābāho svaṃ caiva paripālayan | ye balavantaḥ satyaparākramī mahābāhu arjunaḥ krodham āgamya tava senāyāḥ saṃhāraṃ kariṣyanti sva-senā-rakṣaṇe ca saṃlagnā bhaviṣyanti || ahaṃ cainaṃ pratyudiyām ācāryo vā dhanañjayam | rājendra ubhayoḥ senayoḥ tṛtīyo na kaścid rathī yo bāṇa-vṛṣṭiṃ kurvan arjunasya sammukhaṃ yātuṃ śaknoti ||
Bhishma said: “Mighty-armed king, while protecting his own army, the powerful Arjuna—whose valor never fails—will, when angered, destroy your forces and remain intent on safeguarding his own side. Either I or the preceptor Drona can truly meet Dhananjaya in battle. O lord of kings, in both armies there is no third chariot-warrior who, showering arrows, can stand before Arjuna.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma underscores realistic appraisal in dharmic warfare: recognize true capability, avoid self-deception, and understand that exceptional power (Arjuna’s) demands equally exceptional counter-force (only Bhishma or Drona). Ethical leadership includes honest counsel about risks to one’s own troops.
In Udyoga Parva, as war becomes imminent, Bhishma advises the Kaurava side about Arjuna’s battlefield dominance. He states that when provoked Arjuna will devastate the enemy while protecting his own, and that only Bhishma or Drona can properly face him—no other rathi in either army can withstand him.