Shloka 3
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
नरेश! अब यदि पाण्डवोंकी सेनाके विषयमें भी जानकारी करनेके लिये तुम्हारे मनमें कौतूहल हो तो इन भूमिपालोंके साथ तुम उनके रथियोंकी गणना सुनो ।। स्वयं राजा रथोदार: पाण्डव: कुन्तिनन्दन: । अग्निवत् समरे तात चरिष्यति न संशय:
nareśa! atha yadi pāṇḍavānāṁ senā-viṣaye ’pi jñātuṁ tava manasi kautūhalaṁ bhavet, tarhi ebhir bhūmipālaiḥ saha teṣāṁ rathināṁ gaṇanāṁ śṛṇu. svayaṁ rājā rathodāraḥ pāṇḍavaḥ kuntīnandanaḥ; agnivat samare tāta cariṣyati na saṁśayaḥ.
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai raja, jika tuanku juga ingin mengetahui tentang bala tentera Pandava, maka dengarkanlah—bersama para raja ini—perhitungan para pahlawan kereta mereka. Pandava itu sendiri, putera Kunti, seorang raja yang gagah dengan keperkasaan kereta yang gemilang, akan bergerak di medan perang bagaikan api, wahai anakku; tiada keraguan tentangnya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya ethos and the inevitability of martial prowess once dharma-bound conflict is set in motion: leaders must assess forces soberly, and a righteous king is expected to act decisively in battle—here portrayed through the fire-like energy of the Pāṇḍava king.
Bhīṣma, addressing the Kuru king, transitions from discussing one side’s forces to offering an enumeration of the Pāṇḍavas’ chariot-warriors, beginning by highlighting the Pāṇḍava king (Yudhiṣṭhira), whom he predicts will range through battle like fire.