Shloka 8
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Disclosure, Drupada’s Counsel, and the Petition to Yakṣa Sthūṇākarṇa
Udyoga Parva 192
भीष्म उवाच अनुरूप कुरुश्रेष्ठ त्वय्येतत् पृथिवीपते । बलाबलममित्राणां तेषां यदिह पृच्छसि
bhīṣma uvāca anurūpa kuruśreṣṭha tvayy etat pṛthivīpate | balābalam amitrāṇāṃ teṣāṃ yad iha pṛcchasi ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Oh el mejor de los Kuru, oh señor de la tierra: es del todo apropiado para ti. Que preguntes aquí por la fuerza y la debilidad de tus enemigos es propio de tu rango y deber.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s duty includes prudent assessment of opponents—knowing an enemy’s strengths and weaknesses is not mere curiosity but responsible kingship aligned with dharma and effective governance.
Bhishma responds to the king’s inquiry about adversaries, affirming that such strategic questioning is appropriate for a sovereign and setting the tone for counsel on political and military realities.