Shloka 19
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
समायुक्तो महाराज रथ: पार्थस्य धीमत:ः । वासुदेवश्च संयन्ता योद्धा चैव धनंजय:,महाराज! बुद्धिमान् अर्जुनका रथ जुता हुआ है। भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण उसके सारथि और युद्धकुशल धनंजय रथी हैं
samāyukto mahārāja rathaḥ pārthasya dhīmataḥ | vāsudevaś ca saṁyantā yoddhā caiva dhanaṁjayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai Raja, kereta sang bijak putra Pṛthā (Arjuna) telah terpasang rapi dan lengkap. Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) sendiri memegang kendali sebagai sais, dan Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) berdiri di atasnya sebagai pejuang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True martial power is portrayed as disciplined readiness (a well-yoked chariot) guided by higher wisdom and restraint (Kṛṣṇa as saṁyantā, the controller of the reins). The image suggests that skill and courage become ethically effective when directed by right counsel and self-mastery.
Bhīṣma, speaking to the king, highlights the formidable advantage of the Pāṇḍava side: Arjuna’s chariot is fully prepared, Kṛṣṇa himself serves as charioteer, and Arjuna stands ready as the principal warrior. It functions as a strategic assessment and a moral signal of divinely guided strength.