Shloka 2
Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171
पुरुजित् कुन्तिभोजश्न महेष्वासो महाबल: । मातुलो भीमसेनस्य स च मेडतिरथो मतः,कुन्तिभोजकुमार राजा पुरुजित् जो भीमसेनके मामा हैं, वे भी महाधनुर्धर और अत्यन्त बलवान हैं। मैं उन्हें भी अतिरथी मानता हूँ
bhīṣma uvāca | purujit kuntibhojaś ca maheṣvāso mahābalaḥ | mātulo bhīmasenasya sa ca medatiratho mataḥ ||
ភីෂ្មៈបាននិយាយថា៖ «ពុរុជិត (Purujit) នៃវង្សកុន្តិភោជ (Kuntibhoja) ជាអ្នកបាញ់ធ្នូដ៏អស្ចារ្យ និងមានកម្លាំងខ្លាំងណាស់។ គាត់ជាមាម៉ាខាងម្តាយរបស់ភីមសេន (Bhīmasena) ហើយខ្ញុំក៏ចាត់ទុកគាត់ថាជា អតិរថ (atiratha) ដែរ»។
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical seriousness of war by carefully recognizing merit even in extended kin networks: Bhishma’s impartial appraisal of strength and rank (atiratha) underscores that duty in conflict includes truthful evaluation of opponents and allies, not mere partisanship.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparations, Bhishma is enumerating and classifying notable fighters. Here he names Purujit of the Kuntibhojas—Bhima’s maternal uncle—and declares him a great archer and powerful warrior, worthy of the highest battlefield rank.