भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
एतस्य बहुला: सेना: पज्चालाश्च प्रभद्रका: । तेनासौ रथवंशेन महत् कर्म करिष्यति
etasya bahulāḥ senāḥ pāñcālāś ca prabhadrakāḥ | tenāsau rathavaṁśena mahat karma kariṣyati ||
Bhīṣma dit : « De son côté se tiennent d’immenses forces — les Pañcāla et les Prabhadraka. Soutenu par cette multitude de guerriers de chars, il accomplira un grand exploit au combat. »
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights how alliances and collective martial capacity shape outcomes in dharmic conflict: a leader’s ‘great deed’ is enabled not only by personal valor but by the support of strong, well-aligned forces—especially elite chariot-warriors.
Bhishma is assessing the opposing side’s strength, noting that this warrior has the substantial backing of the Panchalas and Prabhadrakas; with such a chariot-heavy force, he is expected to perform major feats in the coming battle.