Shloka 29
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
उभौ तौ रथिनां श्रेष्ठावुभी भारत दुर्जयौ
ubhau tau rathināṃ śreṣṭhāvubhī bhārata durjayau
Sañjaya said: “Both of those warriors were the finest among chariot-fighters; and, O Bhārata, both were exceedingly hard to conquer.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and narrative reality of war in the epic: true excellence in a kṣatriya context is measured by prowess and steadfastness, and formidable opponents deserve recognition. It models impartial appraisal even amid partisan conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, emphasizing that the two warriors under discussion are both premier chariot-fighters and extremely difficult to defeat, setting the tone for the intensity and high stakes of the battle.