Shloka 13
Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171
ये चैव ते रथोदारा: पाणए्डुपुत्रस्य सैनिका: । सहसैन्यानहं तांश्व प्रतीयां रणमूर्थनि,पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिके और भी जो-जो श्रेष्ठ रथी सैनिक हैं, उनका और उनकी सेनाओंका मैं युद्धके मुहानेपर सामना करूँगा
ye caiva te rathodārāḥ pāṇḍuputrasya sainikāḥ | sahasainyān ahaṃ tāṃś ca pratīyāṃ raṇamūrdhani ||
Dan para kesatria kereta yang unggul di pihak putra Pāṇḍu—beserta pasukan pengiring mereka—akan kuhadapi langsung di garis terdepan pertempuran.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes steadfastness in one’s appointed duty: even when facing worthy opponents, a kṣatriya leader must stand at the battle’s forefront and meet them directly, acting from obligation rather than personal animosity.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Bhīṣma declares his readiness to confront the Pāṇḍavas’ foremost chariot-warriors and their supporting forces at the very front line, signaling resolve and command responsibility.