Shloka 3
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
स चापरिमितप्रज्ञस्तच्छुत्वा पार्थभाषितम् । किमुक्तवान् महेष्वासो भीष्म: प्रहरतां वर:,अर्जुनकी उस प्रतिज्ञाको सुनकर अमित बुद्धिमान् योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ महाधनुर्धर भीष्मने क्या कहा?
sa cāparimitaprajñas tac chrutvā pārthabhāṣitam | kim uktavān maheṣvāso bhīṣmaḥ praharatāṁ varaḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra berkata: “Setelah mendengar apa yang telah diucapkan oleh Pārtha (Arjuna), apakah yang dikatakan oleh Bhīṣma—pemanah agung, berakal budi tiada terhingga, dan yang terunggul antara para pahlawan dalam melancarkan serangan?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of spoken resolve (a warrior’s declaration or vow) and the importance of wise elders responding thoughtfully; it frames Bhīṣma’s forthcoming words as authoritative guidance in a moment where dharma and warfare intersect.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sañjaya (implicitly, as narrator) what Bhīṣma said after hearing Arjuna’s statement/pledge. The question sets up Bhīṣma’s reaction and counsel in the escalating pre-war deliberations of the Udyoga Parva.