Shloka 18
शूरलक्षणवर्णनम् | Marks and Typologies of Martial Temperament
उग्रस्वरा मन्युमन्तो युद्धेष्वारावसारिण: । अधर्मज्ञावलिप्ताश्ष घोरा रौद्रप्रदर्शना:
ugrasvarā manyumanto yuddheṣv ārāvasāriṇaḥ | adharmajñāvaliptāś ca ghorā raudrapradarśanāḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Certains ont la voix âpre et le cœur plein de courroux ; dans la bataille ils errent en rugissant. Ignorants du dharma et gonflés d’orgueil, ils sont sinistres de forme et affichent une humeur farouche et violente. Leur seule apparence est terrifiante.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights moral degeneration: when anger and pride dominate, a person becomes ignorant of dharma, and even their speech and conduct turn violent and fear-inducing—an ethical warning against cultivating such traits, especially in contexts of power and conflict.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction, Bhīṣma is describing a type of fearsome, unrighteous warrior—marked by harsh voice, roaring behavior in battle, and lack of dharma—using this characterization to support a broader discourse on conduct and righteousness.