Shloka 1
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
अपन प्रात छा अंक एकसप्तत्याधिकशततमो< ध्याय: पाण्डवपक्षके रथी
bhīṣma uvāca | pañcālarājasya suto rājan parapuraṃjayaḥ | śikhaṇḍī rathamukhyo me mataḥ pārthasya bhārata ||
Bhishma said: O King, O scion of Bharata! Shikhandi, the son of Drupada, king of Panchala, is a conqueror of enemy strongholds. In my judgment, he is counted among the foremost chariot-warriors on the side of Partha (the Pandavas).
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models a kshatriya ethic of clear-eyed assessment: even amid impending war, a leader must recognize and state an opponent’s strengths without distortion. Bhishma’s appraisal emphasizes responsibility, realism, and strategic discernment as part of righteous conduct in conflict.
In Udyoga Parva’s preparations for the Kurukshetra war, Bhishma is describing notable chariot-warriors aligned with the Pandavas. Here he identifies Shikhandi, son of Drupada of Panchala, as a prominent ratha-warrior on Partha’s side.