Shloka 28
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
बाह्लीको5तिरथश्लैव समरे चानिवर्तन: । मम राजन मतो युद्धे शूरो वैवस्वतोपम:,बाह्नलीक अतिरथी वीर हैं। ये युद्धसे कभी पीछे नहीं हटते हैं। राजन्! मैं समरभूमिमें इन्हें यमराजके समान शूरवीर मानता हूँ
Bāhlīko ’tirathaś caiva samare cānivartanaḥ | mama rājan mato yuddhe śūro Vaivasvatopamaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Bāhlīka benar-benar seorang atiratha, dan dalam pertempuran dia tidak pernah berpaling undur. Wahai Raja, pada hematku, di medan perang dia seorang wira yang sebanding dengan Vaivasvata (Yama) sendiri.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: true martial excellence is marked by unwavering resolve (anivartana) and recognized rank (atiratha), with the comparison to Yama emphasizing irresistible power and fearlessness.
In Udyoga Parva’s war-preparations and assessments of combatants, Bhīṣma addresses the king and evaluates Bāhlīka’s battlefield stature, declaring him an atiratha who never retreats and is as formidable as Vaivasvata (Yama).