Shloka 33
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
अलम्बुषो राक्षसेन्द्र: क्रूरकर्मा महारथ: । हनिष्यति परान् राजन पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन्,क्रूरकर्मा राक्षसराज अलम्बुष भी महारथी है। राजन! यह पहलेके वैरको याद करके शत्रुओंका संहार करेगा
Alambuṣo rākṣasendraḥ krūrakarmā mahārathaḥ | haniṣyati parān rājan pūrvavairam anusmaran ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai Raja, Alambuṣa—raja kaum Rākṣasa, ganas dalam perbuatan dan seorang pahlawan kereta perang yang agung—akan membunuh bala musuh, sambil mengingati permusuhan lama.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how remembrance of old enmity (pūrvavaira) can become a motive force for cruelty in war. It implicitly contrasts dharma-guided action with violence propelled by personal hatred and past grudges.
Bhīṣma is describing a formidable combatant, Alambuṣa, identifying him as a ruthless Rākṣasa leader and great warrior who will attack and kill enemies, specifically driven by recollection of an earlier feud.