Shloka 10
Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171
राजन! ये महात्मा पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिरके मुख्य-मुख्य रथी, अतिरथी और अर्धरथी यहाँ बताये गये हैं ।। नेष्यन्ति समरे सेनां भीमां यौधिष्ठिरीं नूप । महेन्द्रेणेव वीरेण पाल्यमानां किरीटिना
rājan! ye mahātmā pāṇḍunandana yudhiṣṭhirake mukhya-mukhya rathī, atirathī ca ardharathī ca iha batāye gaye haiṃ. neṣyanti samare senāṃ bhīmāṃ yaudhiṣṭhirīṃ nṛpa, mahendreṇeva vīreṇa pālyamānāṃ kirīṭinā.
Bhīṣma said: “O King, those foremost warriors—chariot-fighters, great chariot-fighters, and lesser chariot-fighters—who have been named here as belonging to the noble son of Pāṇḍu, Yudhiṣṭhira, will lead in battle that formidable army of Yudhiṣṭhira. It will be protected by the diademed hero, like an army guarded by Indra himself.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that righteous leadership in war depends on capable commanders and protective strength: Yudhiṣṭhira’s cause is supported by a structured hierarchy of warriors and safeguarded by Arjuna, whose protection is likened to Indra’s—suggesting both strategic competence and a dharmic, divinely-favored guardianship.
Bhīṣma is briefing the Kuru king about the Pāṇḍava side’s military strength. He notes that the principal chariot-warriors already listed will lead Yudhiṣṭhira’s formidable army in battle, and that it will be protected by Arjuna (the ‘diademed’ hero), compared to Indra guarding an army.