Shloka 6
अध्याय १६९ — भीष्मस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रशंसा तथा शिखण्डिविषये नियमः
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava Forces and His Constraint Regarding Śikhaṇḍin
एतेषां बहुसाहस्रा रथा नागा हयास्तथा | योत्स्यन्ते ते तनूंस्त्यक्त्वा कुन्तीपुत्रप्रियेप्सपा
eteṣāṃ bahusāhasrā rathā nāgā hayās tathā | yotsyante te tanūṃs tyaktvā kuntīputrapriyepsayā ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Di pihak mereka ada beribu-ribu kereta, gajah, dan kuda. Para kesatria itu akan bertempur, siap mengorbankan tubuh mereka sendiri, didorong oleh hasrat untuk melakukan apa yang berkenan bagi putra Kuntī (Yudhiṣṭhira).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast loyalty and readiness for self-sacrifice in the service of a righteous king: warriors are portrayed as willing to risk life itself to accomplish what is dear to Yudhiṣṭhira, framing martial commitment as an ethical vow rather than mere aggression.
Bhīṣma is describing the strength and resolve of the opposing forces: they possess vast military resources (chariots, elephants, horses), and their fighters are determined to battle even unto death to fulfill Yudhiṣṭhira’s interests.