Shloka 35
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
प्राग्ज्योतिषाधिपो वीरो भगदत्त: प्रतापवान् | गजाड्कुशधरश्रेष्ठोी रथे चैव विशारद:
prāgjyotiṣādhipo vīro bhagadattaḥ pratāpavān | gajāṅkuśadharaśreṣṭho rathe caiva viśāradaḥ ||
Bhagadatta, penguasa Pragjyotiṣa yang gagah dan perkasa, adalah raja besar. Di antara para pemegang pengait gajah (goad) yang mahir menundukkan gajah perang, dialah yang terdepan; dan ia pun sangat terampil dalam pertempuran kereta.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya ideal: excellence in one’s appointed martial role and mastery of specialized skills (elephant warfare and chariot combat). It also reflects the epic’s ethical realism—recognizing merit and capability even in opponents or politically aligned rivals.
In Udyoga Parva, Bhishma is describing notable kings and warriors in the lead-up to the Kurukṣetra war, assessing their strengths. Here he singles out Bhagadatta of Pragjyotiṣa as pre-eminent in controlling war-elephants and also expert in chariot fighting.