Shloka 23
भीष्मकृतः पाण्डवपक्ष-महारथ-प्रशंसा
Bhishma’s appraisal of Pandava-aligned chariot-warriors
आसाद्य माममोधेषुं गमिष्यन्ति दिशो दश । पाण्डवा: सहपज्चाला: शार्दूलं वृषभा इव,“मेरे बाण अमोघ हैं। मेरे सामने आकर पाण्डव और पांचाल उसी प्रकार दसों दिशाओंमें भाग जायँगे, जैसे सिंहको देखकर बैल भागते हैं
āsādya mām amogheṣuṁ gamiṣyanti diśo daśa | pāṇḍavāḥ saha-pañcālāḥ śārdūlaṁ vṛṣabhā iva ||
“Anak panahku tidak pernah meleset. Apabila mereka berhadapan denganku, para Pāṇḍava bersama Pañcāla akan bertempiaran lari ke sepuluh penjuru, seperti lembu berselerak apabila melihat harimau.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how confidence in power—especially in war—can become a tool of intimidation and a catalyst for escalation. Ethically, it invites reflection on the tension between kṣatriya valor and the need for restraint and clear discernment about the consequences of violence.
Bhīṣma is asserting his battlefield superiority, claiming his arrows are unfailing and that if the Pāṇḍavas and their Pañcāla allies confront him, they will scatter in fear in every direction, like bulls fleeing a tiger.