Shloka 14
Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171
एते रथाश्चातिरथाश्ष तुभ्यं यथाप्रधानं नृप कीर्तिता मया । तथापरे ये<र्धरथाश्न केचित् तथैव तेषामपि कौरवेन्द्र
ete rathāś cātirathāś ca tubhyaṃ yathāpradhānaṃ nṛpa kīrtitā mayā | tathāpare ye ’rdharathāḥ kecit tathaiva teṣām api kauravendra rājan ||
Bhishma said: “O king, I have described to you, in due order of importance, these warriors who are classed as chariot-fighters and great chariot-fighters. Likewise, I have also indicated those others who are counted as ‘half-chariot’ fighters. O lord of the Kurus, O king—thus the survey of such warriors has been set forth.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes disciplined, hierarchical assessment in matters of state and war: a leader should understand relative capability and rank, and decisions should be informed by clear evaluation rather than impulse.
Bhishma is concluding a structured enumeration of fighters—those ranked as ratha and atiratha, and also those of lesser rank (ardharatha)—addressing the Kuru king (Duryodhana) as part of the Udyoga Parva’s preparations and counsel before the great war.