Shloka 12
शूरलक्षणवर्णनम् | Marks and Typologies of Martial Temperament
सुसंहता: सुतनवो व्यूढोरस्का: सुसंस्थिता: । प्रवादितेषु कुप्यन्ति हृष्पन्ति कलहेषु च
susaṃhatāḥ sutanavo vyūḍhoraskāḥ susaṃsthitāḥ | pravāditēṣu kupyanti hṛṣyanti kalahēṣu ca ||
Bhīṣma dit : Les hommes au corps compact et bien noué, aux membres fermes, à la poitrine large, et qui demeurent inébranlables au combat—lorsque retentissent les tambours de guerre et les signaux martiaux, s’embrasent de colère et s’enivrent au cœur des heurts. Pour de tels guerriers, le tumulte même de la bataille devient une joie.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma characterizes the warrior temperament: a well-trained, physically robust fighter is stirred by martial signals and finds exhilaration in combat. The verse highlights how innate disposition and training can make conflict emotionally energizing, a point relevant to discussions of kshatriya-dharma and the ethics of channeling aggression responsibly.
In Shanti Parva’s instruction, Bhishma is describing the qualities and reactions of true warriors. He notes that when battle is announced—through drums or signals—such men become fiercely aroused and even delighted in the clash, illustrating the mindset of those who stand firm in war.