Shloka 14
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
विध्वंसयिष्यन्ति रणे मा सम तैः सह सद्भम: । इस सेनामें आकर वे सभी उत्कट बलशाली हो गये हैं। युद्धमें आनेपर वे तुम्हारी सेनाका विध्वंस कर डालेंगे। मैं चाहता हूँ उनसे कहीं भी तुम्हारी मुठभेड़ न हो ।।
vidhvaṃsayīṣyanti raṇe mā sama taiḥ saha sadbhamaḥ | iha senām āgatāḥ sarve utkaṭa-balaśālino 'bhavan | yuddhe samāyāte te tava senāṃ vidhvaṃsayitvā naśyanti | ahaṃ icchāmi teṣāṃ kvacid api tava muṭh-bheḍo mā bhūt || ekaikaśas te sammarḍe hanyuḥ sarvān mahīkṣitaḥ ||
Bhishma dijo: «Al entrar en este ejército, todos ellos se han vuelto de una fuerza feroz. Cuando comience la batalla, arrasarán tus tropas. Por eso, no los enfrentes en términos de igualdad ni te acerques a un choque cuerpo a cuerpo con ellos. Deseo que no te topes con ellos en ninguna parte en un enfrentamiento directo. En el apretón del combate, cada uno de ellos podría, uno por uno, abatir a todos los reyes.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes prudence in warfare: recognize disproportionate strength, avoid reckless direct confrontation, and do not let pride override strategic restraint—especially when the ethical cost and practical risk of battle are overwhelming.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war counsel, Bhīṣma warns the Kaurava side that the opposing warriors have become extraordinarily formidable; once battle is joined they can devastate the army, and even individually they could cut down many kings in the melee. He urges avoiding direct clashes with them.