Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
तात! कुन्तीका आनन्द बढ़ानेवाले स्वयं पाण्डुपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिर एक श्रेष्ठ रथी (महारथी) हैं। वे समरभूमिमें अग्निके समान सब ओर विचरेंगे, इसमें संशय नहीं है ।।
tāta! kuntīkā ānanda-baḍhānevale svayaṃ pāṇḍuputra rājā yudhiṣṭhira eka śreṣṭha-rathī (mahārathī) haiṃ. ve samarabhūmi meṃ agni ke samāna saba ora vicareṅge, ismeṃ saṃśaya nahīṃ hai. bhīmasenas tu rājendra ratho ’ṣṭaguṇa-sammitaḥ | na tasyāsti samo yuddhe gadayā sāyakair api ||
ビーシュマは言った。「わが子よ、クンティーの喜びを増す者、パーンドゥの子にして王たるユディシュティラは、自ら優れた車戦士、まことのマハーラティである。戦場では火のように四方を駆け巡るであろう。疑いはない。さらにビーマセーナよ、王の中の最上たる者よ、彼は八倍の武威を備えた車戦士である。戦において彼に並ぶ者はない—棍棒(ガダー)においても、矢においてさえも。」
भीष्म उवाच
Bhīṣma underscores the rightful martial capacity of the Pāṇḍavas: Yudhiṣṭhira is not merely a moral king but also a competent mahāratha, and Bhīma’s unmatched power—especially with the mace—signals that dharma in a kṣatriya context includes the ability to protect and prevail when war becomes unavoidable.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Bhīṣma is describing and assessing the fighting strength of the Pāṇḍavas. He highlights Yudhiṣṭhira’s battlefield presence and Bhīma’s extraordinary prowess, emphasizing that their side possesses formidable warriors.