Shloka 44
Sainyasaṅgraha and Bhāga-Vyavasthā (Forces Assembled and Rival Allocations) | सैन्यसंग्रह-भागव्यवस्था
जानाति हि यथा भीष्म: पाण्डवानां यशस्विनाम् । बलवत्तां सपुत्राणां धर्मज्ञानां महात्मनाम्
jānāti hi yathā bhīṣmaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ yaśasvinām | balavattāṃ saputrāṇāṃ dharmajñānāṃ mahātmanām ||
Duryodhana said: “Bhīṣma knows well the true measure of the Pāṇḍavas—those illustrious men, mighty in strength, accompanied by their sons, discerning of dharma, and great-souled.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that true judgment in political and moral crises depends on clear recognition of others’ virtues and capacities: the Pandavas are portrayed as strong, renowned, and dharma-aware, and Bhishma is acknowledged as one who understands this reality—implying that ethical discernment should guide counsel even amid impending war.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Duryodhana refers to Bhishma’s awareness of the Pandavas’ stature—praising their fame, strength, and righteousness—within a context where elders’ counsel and assessments influence decisions about negotiation versus conflict.