Shloka 20
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
गाण्डीवं च धर्नुर्दिव्यं ते चाश्वा वातरंहस: । अभेद्यं कवचं दिव्यमक्षय्यौ च महेषुधी
gāṇḍīvaṃ ca dhanuḥ divyaṃ te cāśvā vātarāṃhasaḥ | abhedyaṃ kavacaṃ divyam akṣayyau ca maheṣudhī ||
ビーシュマは言った。「汝は神弓ガーンディーヴァを有し、汝の馬は風のごとく疾い。さらに貫くこと能わぬ神の鎧を備え、矢尽きぬ大いなる箙を二つ持つ。」この武具讃歌において叙事詩は、並外れた力と守護が正しき大義のために集うことを示し、同時に、その賜物が大きいほどダルマに従い節度をもって行う責任もまた重くなると諭す。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that extraordinary strength—divine weapons, protection, and inexhaustible resources—should serve dharma. Such advantages do not merely empower; they heighten moral accountability in the coming conflict.
Bhīṣma is describing (and effectively commending) the formidable, divinely endowed war-gear associated with Arjuna: the Gāṇḍīva bow, wind-swift horses, impenetrable armor, and two inexhaustible quivers—setting the tone for the scale and seriousness of the impending war.