Shloka 21
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
तुम मुझको, आचार्य द्रोणको तथा कृपाचार्यको जैसा समझते हो, युद्धमें दूसरे वीरोंसे स्पर्धा रखनेवाले तथा बहुत ही फुर्तीके साथ अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंका प्रयोग करनेवाले प्रशंसनीय एवं उत्तम रथी नरश्रेष्ठ काशिराजको भी तुम्हें वैसा ही मानना चाहिये
tvaṁ māṁ ācārya-droṇaṁ tathā kṛpācāryaṁ yathā manyase, yuddhe ’nyeṣu vīreṣu spardhāṁ dhārayan, atīva laghutayā astrāṇi śastrāṇi ca prayuñjānaḥ praśaṁsanīyaḥ uttama-rathī naraśreṣṭhaḥ kāśirājaḥ api tvayā tathaiva mantavyaḥ.
Bhīṣma said: “Just as you regard me, and the preceptor Droṇa, and Kripa, so too you should regard the king of Kāśī—an excellent chariot-warrior, a foremost man, worthy of praise—who in battle rivals other heroes and wields weapons with exceptional swiftness.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches disciplined judgment in war: evaluate allies and opponents realistically, without bias or complacency. Recognizing true capability—such as the Kashiraja’s speed and competitive prowess—is part of responsible kshatriya leadership and prevents strategic and ethical failures born of underestimation.
In the war-preparations context of the Udyoga Parva, Bhishma addresses the Kaurava side, urging that the Kashiraja be regarded on par with the foremost teachers and champions (Bhishma, Drona, Kripa). He highlights the Kashiraja’s excellence as a chariot-warrior and his swift use of weapons, emphasizing his importance in the coming conflict.