Shloka 76
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
प्रादेशेनाधिका: पुम्भिरन्यैस्ते च प्रमाणत: । ये सभी महामना पाण्डव शालवृक्षके स्तम्भोंके समान ऊँचे हैं। उनकी ऊँचाईका मान अन्य पुरुषोंसे एक बित्ता अधिक है
prādeśenādhikāḥ pumbhir anyais te ca pramāṇataḥ |
Bhīṣma berkata: “Pada ukuran ketinggian, mereka lebih tinggi daripada lelaki lain sebanyak satu prādeśa (sejengkal).” Dalam konteksnya, Bhīṣma menggambarkan kehadiran jasmani Pāṇḍava yang luar biasa—tanda lahiriah keupayaan kepahlawanan mereka dan betapa dahsyatnya cabaran yang bakal dihadapi dalam peperangan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that true power in the epic is not merely claimed but can be recognized through clear signs—here, extraordinary stature—supporting prudent judgment about allies and adversaries before war.
Bhīṣma is giving a descriptive appraisal of the Pāṇḍavas, emphasizing their exceptional build and presence as part of evaluating their strength and the seriousness of confronting them.