Shloka 16
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
सर्व एव रथोदारा: सर्वे चाहवलक्षणा: । सर्वस्त्रिविदुष: सर्वे महात्मानो मता मम,सुकुमार, काशिक, नील, सूर्यदत्त, शंख और मदिराश्व नामक ये सभी योद्धा उदार रथी हैं। युद्ध ही इन सबका शौर्यसूचक चिह्न है। मैं इन सभीको सम्पूर्ण अस्त्रोंके ज्ञाता और महामनस्वी मानता हूँ
sarva eva rathodārāḥ sarve cāhavalakṣaṇāḥ | sarvāstravidaḥ sarve mahātmāno matā mama ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: “Todos ellos son nobles guerreros de carro; la batalla misma es la señal por la que se conoce a cada cual. Yo los considero a todos maestros de toda arma y hombres de gran alma.” En su contexto, Bhīṣma está sopesando el valor de los combatientes nombrados, afirmando su pericia y su carácter como parte de un juicio ético y estratégico antes de la guerra.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Competence in one’s duty (here, the warrior’s craft) is acknowledged as a form of excellence, but Bhishma’s praise also implies responsibility: those skilled in arms and famed for battle must be weighed carefully in decisions that lead to war.
In the pre-war deliberations of the Udyoga Parva, Bhishma is describing and evaluating a group of fighters, stating that they are distinguished chariot-warriors, recognized by their prowess in battle, and are knowledgeable in all weapons.