Shloka 26
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
जीमूत एव घर्मान्ति महावातसमीरित: । समायुक्तस्तु कौन्तेयो वासुदेवसहायवान् | तरुणश्न कृती चैव जीर्णावावामुभावषि
jīmūta eva gharmānte mahāvātasamīritaḥ | samāyuktas tu kaunteyo vāsudevasahāyavān || taruṇaś ca kṛtī caiva jīrṇāv āvām ubhāv api ||
Bhishma berkata: “Seperti awan besar yang didorong angin kencang pada penghujung musim panas, demikian pula Arjuna, putra Kunti, telah sepenuhnya siap berperang, ditopang oleh Vasudeva (Sri Krishna). Ia muda, cakap, dan mahir dalam ilmu senjata; sedangkan kami berdua telah menua dan renta.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights the decisive advantage of preparedness joined with capable support: Arjuna’s youthful competence, combined with Krishna’s guidance, makes him formidable, while age limits the opposing side—an ethical reminder to assess strength and counsel realistically before choosing war.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparations, Bhishma speaks to the Kaurava side, warning that Arjuna is battle-ready and backed by Krishna; he contrasts their vigor with the Kaurava elders’ advancing age, implying the danger of confronting such a pair.