Shloka 26
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
जीमूत एव घर्मान्ति महावातसमीरित: । समायुक्तस्तु कौन्तेयो वासुदेवसहायवान् | तरुणश्न कृती चैव जीर्णावावामुभावषि
jīmūta eva gharmānte mahāvātasamīritaḥ | samāyuktas tu kaunteyo vāsudevasahāyavān || taruṇaś ca kṛtī caiva jīrṇāv āvām ubhāv api ||
Bhīṣma dit : «De même qu’un grand nuage, poussé par des vents impétueux à la fin de l’été, ainsi le fils de Kuntī—Arjuna—est-il tout entier prêt pour la bataille, soutenu par Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa). Il est jeune et accompli, expert dans l’art des armes ; tandis que nous deux, nous avons vieilli.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights the decisive advantage of preparedness joined with capable support: Arjuna’s youthful competence, combined with Krishna’s guidance, makes him formidable, while age limits the opposing side—an ethical reminder to assess strength and counsel realistically before choosing war.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparations, Bhishma speaks to the Kaurava side, warning that Arjuna is battle-ready and backed by Krishna; he contrasts their vigor with the Kaurava elders’ advancing age, implying the danger of confronting such a pair.