Shloka 26
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
पाण्ड्यराजो महावीर्य: पाण्डवानां धुरंधर: । दृढ्धन्वा महेष्वास: पाण्डवानां महारथ:
pāṇḍyarājo mahāvīryaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ dhuraṃdharaḥ | dṛḍhadhanvā maheṣvāsaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Le roi du pays des Pāṇḍya est d’une vaillance immense, l’un des plus sûrs soutiens parmi les Pāṇḍava. Son arc est ferme et puissant ; archer accompli, il se tient comme un grand combattant de char des Pāṇḍava.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that true martial excellence is not only personal prowess (mahāvīrya, maheṣvāsa) but also dependable responsibility and loyalty (dhuraṃdhara) in supporting one’s cause—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma.
Bhīṣma is describing and assessing notable warriors aligned with the Pāṇḍavas. Here he praises the Pāṇḍya king as a powerful, reliable great warrior—strong-bowed and eminent among their supporters.