Shloka 3
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
एतस्य बहुला: सेना: पज्चालाश्च प्रभद्रका: । तेनासौ रथवंशेन महत् कर्म करिष्यति
etasya bahulāḥ senāḥ pāñcālāś ca prabhadrakāḥ | tenāsau rathavaṁśena mahat karma kariṣyati ||
Bhishma said: “On his side there are vast forces—the Panchalas and the Prabhadrakas. Backed by that host of chariot-warriors, he will accomplish a great deed in battle.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how alliances and collective martial capacity shape outcomes in dharmic conflict: a leader’s ‘great deed’ is enabled not only by personal valor but by the support of strong, well-aligned forces—especially elite chariot-warriors.
Bhishma is assessing the opposing side’s strength, noting that this warrior has the substantial backing of the Panchalas and Prabhadrakas; with such a chariot-heavy force, he is expected to perform major feats in the coming battle.