Shloka 466
ब्रह्मर्षिसदृशो जज्ञे देवैरपि सुदुःसह:ः । भरतनन्दन! हमारे पितामह गंगापुत्र भीष्मजी तो अपने पिता शान्तनुसे भी बढ़कर पराक्रमी हैं। ये ब्रह्मर्षियोंके समान प्रभावसे सम्पन्न होकर उत्पन्न हुए हैं। इनका वेग देवताओंके लिये भी अत्यन्त दुःसह है
brahmarṣi-sadṛśo jajñe devair api suduḥsahaḥ | bharata-nandana! asmākaṃ pitāmahaḥ gaṅgā-putro bhīṣmaḥ śāntanoḥ pitur api vardhataro parākramavān | sa brahmarṣīṇām iva prabhāvena sampanna utpannaḥ | asya vegaḥ devatānām api atyantaṃ duḥsahaḥ |
Duryodhana declares that Bhīṣma, the Gaṅgā-born grandsire of the Bharatas, is mightier in valor even than his father Śāntanu. Born with the splendor of a brahmarṣi, Bhīṣma’s force is so overwhelming that even the gods would find it hard to endure.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how reverence for lineage and extraordinary personal power can be used to justify political certainty and escalation toward conflict. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between true dharma and confidence built on might and alliances.
Duryodhana is emphasizing Bhīṣma’s unmatched prowess—greater even than Śāntanu’s and unbearable to the gods—to strengthen his side’s morale and to argue, implicitly, that the Kauravas have an invincible champion in the coming confrontation.