Shloka 27
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
श्रेणिमान् कौरवश्रेष्ठ वसुदानश्न पार्थिव: । उभावेतावतिरथौ मतौ परपुरंजयौ,कौरवश्रेष्ठ! राजा श्रेणिमान् और वसुदान--ये दोनों वीर अतिरथी माने गये हैं। ये शत्रुओंकी नगरीपर विजय पानेमें समर्थ हैं
śreṇimān kauravaśreṣṭha vasudānaś ca pārthivaḥ | ubhāv etāv atirathau matau parapuraṃjayau ||
Bhīṣma said: “O best of the Kurus, the kings Śreṇimān and Vasudāna—both are regarded as atirathas, foremost chariot-warriors. They are capable of conquering the cities of their enemies.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the traditional kṣatriya evaluation of capability and rank: leaders must recognize and classify warriors accurately (here, as atirathas) because such discernment guides responsible strategy and the ethical discharge of royal duty in war.
In Udyoga Parva, Bhīṣma is describing and appraising notable kings/warriors. Here he identifies Śreṇimān and Vasudāna as two exceptionally powerful chariot-warriors, capable of taking enemy strongholds.