Shloka 23
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
वृषसेनो रथस्ते5ग्र्य: कर्णपुत्रो महारथ: । प्रधक्ष्यति रिपूर्णां ते बल॑ं तु बलिनां वर:
vṛṣaseno rathas te 'gryaḥ karṇaputro mahārathaḥ | pradhakṣyati ripūṇāṃ te balaṃ tu balināṃ varaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Vṛṣasena, putra Karna, termasuk yang terbaik di antara para kesatria kereta dalam pasukanmu—seorang maharathi sejati. Dialah yang terunggul di antara yang kuat; ia akan membakar habis bala musuhmu yang besar hingga menjadi abu.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of recognizing merit and strength in war: a leader should know and value capable warriors, since disciplined prowess can decisively shape outcomes.
Bhīṣma is describing and praising Vṛṣasena, Karṇa’s son, as a foremost chariot-warrior, assuring that he will devastate the opposing forces in the coming conflict.