Shloka 10
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
क्षत्रधर्मरतो महां मत: परपुरंजय: । क्षत्रदेवस्तु राजेन्द्र पाण्डवेषु रथोत्तम:,राजेन्द्र! शत्रुओंकी नगरीपर विजय पानेवाला क्षत्रियधर्मपरायण क्षत्रदेव मेरे मतमें पाण्डवसेनाका एक श्रेष्ठ रथी है
kṣatradharmarato mahān mataḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ | kṣatradevas tu rājendra pāṇḍaveṣu rathottamaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “In my judgment, Kṣatradeva is a great warrior—devoted to the kṣatriya code and famed for conquering the enemy’s strongholds. O best of kings, among the Pāṇḍavas he stands as an excellent chariot-fighter.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds kṣatriya-dharma: excellence in war is framed as disciplined adherence to a warrior’s duty, not mere aggression—valor is praised when aligned with rightful conduct and responsibility.
Bhīṣma is assessing and praising a warrior named Kṣatradeva, identifying him as a foremost chariot-fighter within the Pāṇḍava side and noting his reputation for overcoming enemy strongholds.