Shloka 18
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
स हि संग्रामशोभी च भक्तश्नापि किरीटिन: । चेकितान: सत्यधृति: पाण्डवानां महारथौ | द्वाविमौ पुरुषव्याप्रौ रथोदारौ मतौ मम
sa hi saṅgrāmaśobhī ca bhaktaś cāpi kirīṭinaḥ | cekitānaḥ satyadhṛtiḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathau || dvāv imau puruṣavyāghrau rathodārau matau mama |
Bhīṣma said: “These two are splendid in battle and are also devoted to the diadem-wearing Arjuna. Cekitāna and Satyadhṛti—both are great chariot-warriors of the Pāṇḍavas. In my judgment, these two tiger-like men are eminent among chariot-fighters.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights two complementary virtues in a kṣatriya context: excellence in battle (saṅgrāmaśobhā) and steadfast loyalty (bhakti) to a worthy leader (Arjuna). The verse suggests that martial skill gains ethical weight when joined with disciplined allegiance and recognized merit.
In Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation setting, Bhīṣma is identifying and evaluating notable fighters on the Pāṇḍava side. He singles out Cekitāna and Satyadhṛti as great chariot-warriors, praising their battlefield brilliance and their devotion to Arjuna.