Shloka 38
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
एष योत्स्यति संग्रामे गजस्कन्धविशारद: | ऐरावतगतो राजा देवानामिव वासव:,राजा भगदत्त हाथीकी पीठपर बैठकर युद्ध करनेमें अत्यन्त कुशल हैं। ये ऐरावतपर बैठे हुए देवराज इन्द्रके समान संग्राममें तुम्हारे शत्रुओंके साथ युद्ध करेंगे
eṣa yotsyati saṅgrāme gajaskandhaviśāradaḥ | airāvatagato rājā devānām iva vāsavaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Raja ini akan bertempur dalam perang, amat mahir berjuang dari atas belakang gajah. Menunggang Airāvata, dia akan menyerbu musuh-musuhmu seperti Vāsava (Indra), raja para dewa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s specialized skill (elephant-back combat) and symbolic association with divine power (Indra on Airāvata) are used to frame confidence and legitimacy in war—reminding listeners that morale, reputation, and perceived might strongly shape the ethical and practical landscape of conflict.
Bhīṣma is describing a formidable ally/warrior-king (Bhagadatta) who will fight in the coming battle. He is portrayed as an expert elephant-rider, likened to Indra riding Airāvata, emphasizing the threat he poses to the opposing side.