Shloka 16
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
पितामहो हि कुशल: परेषामात्मनस्तथा | श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं सर्वे: सहैभिर्वसुधाधिपै:
pitāmaho hi kuśalaḥ pareṣām ātmanaḥ tathā | śrotum icchāmy ahaṃ sarvaiḥ sahaibhir vasudhādhipaiḥ ||
Duryodhana berkata: “Datuk Bhīṣma sememangnya cekap sepenuhnya—baginda mengetahui dengan baik kekuatan pihak musuh dan juga pihak kita. Maka aku ingin mendengarnya daripadamu, di hadapan semua raja ini: suatu keterangan yang jelas tentang para pahlawan kereta perang dan para atiratha di kedua-dua pihak.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Competent leadership seeks accurate knowledge before action: Duryodhana acknowledges Bhīṣma’s expertise in assessing both sides. Ethically, the verse highlights the value of informed counsel, even though the larger narrative shows that knowledge alone does not ensure righteous choice.
On the eve of conflict, Duryodhana addresses Bhīṣma and asks him—before the assembled kings—to state what he knows about the opposing and allied forces, i.e., the relative strength and notable warriors on each side.