Shloka 3
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 165 — Bhīṣma’s Appraisal and Karṇa’s Rebuttal (भीष्म–कर्ण विवादः)
एतस्य रथवंशे हि तिग्मवेगप्रहारिण: । काम्बोजानां महाराज शलभानामिवायति:
etasya rathavaṁśe hi tigmavegaprahāriṇaḥ | kāmbojānāṁ mahārāja śalabhānām ivāyatiḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai maharaja, dalam garis keturunan kereta-perang sang kesatria ini memang ada daya pukul yang tajam dan secepat kilat. Gempuran orang Kamboja menerjang musuh bagaikan kawanan belalang—mendadak, rapat, dan sukar dibendung.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how inherited martial discipline and collective force can make an army’s advance irresistible; it cautions rulers to recognize the real momentum of trained warrior-groups and not underestimate a swift, coordinated assault.
Bhīṣma is describing the fighting quality and terrifying advance associated with a particular warrior’s chariot-lineage, comparing the Kāmbojas’ onrush to a locust-swarm—an image meant to convey speed, density, and overwhelming impact in battle.