Shloka 19
भीष्म–दुर्योधनसंवादः — शिखण्डिनं न हन्तुं कारणकथनम्
Amba-ākhyāna prologue
व्याप्रदत्तश्न राजेन्द्र चन्द्रसेनश्व भारत । मतौ मम रथोदारौ पाण्डवानां न संशय:,भरतनन्दन! महाराज! व्याप्रदत्त और चन्द्रसेन-ये दो नरेश भी मेरे मतमें पाण्डवसेनाके श्रेष्ठ रथी हैं, इसमें संशय नहीं है
vyāpradattaś ca rājendra candrasenaś ca bhārata | matau mama rathodārau pāṇḍavānāṃ na saṃśayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai raja, wahai keturunan Bharata! Vyāpradatta dan Candrasena—dua orang raja ini, pada hematku, ialah pahlawan kereta perang terunggul di pihak Pāṇḍava. Tiada keraguan tentang hal itu.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of clear-eyed appraisal: even amid impending conflict, a leader must acknowledge merit and strength wherever it exists, including on the opposing side, to act responsibly and strategically.
In the Udyoga Parva’s preparations for war, Bhīṣma is describing and evaluating notable fighters. Here he identifies Vyāpradatta and Candrasena as eminent chariot-warriors aligned with the Pāṇḍavas, asserting this assessment with certainty.