Shloka 24
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
तव सेनां महाबाहु: स्वां चैव परिपालयन् । ये बलवान, सत्यपराक्रमी, महाबाहु अर्जुन क्रोधमें आकर तुम्हारी सेनाका संहार करेंगे और अपनी सेनाकी रक्षामें संलग्न रहेंगे || २३ है ।।
tava senāṃ mahābāho svaṃ caiva paripālayan | ye balavantaḥ satyaparākramī mahābāhu arjunaḥ krodham āgamya tava senāyāḥ saṃhāraṃ kariṣyanti sva-senā-rakṣaṇe ca saṃlagnā bhaviṣyanti || ahaṃ cainaṃ pratyudiyām ācāryo vā dhanañjayam | rājendra ubhayoḥ senayoḥ tṛtīyo na kaścid rathī yo bāṇa-vṛṣṭiṃ kurvan arjunasya sammukhaṃ yātuṃ śaknoti ||
ビーシュマは言った。「大臂の王よ。アルジュナ——強大にして武勲確かな者——は自軍を守りつつ、怒りに燃えれば汝の軍勢を滅ぼし、なお自陣の護りに心を尽くすであろう。戦場でダナンジャヤに真に対し得るのは、我か、師ドローナのみ。諸王の主よ、両軍を見渡しても、矢の雨を降らせつつ進むアルジュナの前に立ち向かえる第三の車戦の勇士は存在しない。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma underscores realistic appraisal in dharmic warfare: recognize true capability, avoid self-deception, and understand that exceptional power (Arjuna’s) demands equally exceptional counter-force (only Bhishma or Drona). Ethical leadership includes honest counsel about risks to one’s own troops.
In Udyoga Parva, as war becomes imminent, Bhishma advises the Kaurava side about Arjuna’s battlefield dominance. He states that when provoked Arjuna will devastate the enemy while protecting his own, and that only Bhishma or Drona can properly face him—no other rathi in either army can withstand him.