Shloka 4
कृप-अर्जुन रथयुद्धम्
Kṛpa–Arjuna Chariot Engagement
एषामभ्यधिका मासा: पज्च च द्वादश क्षपा: । त्रयोदशानां वर्षाणामिति मे वर्तते मति:,इस प्रकार इन तेरह वर्षोके पूर्ण होनेके पश्चात् भी पाण्डवोंके पाँच महीने बारह दिन और अधिक बीत चुके हैं। ऐसा मेरा विचार है-
eṣām abhyadhikā māsāḥ pañca ca dvādaśa kṣapāḥ | trayodaśānāṃ varṣāṇām iti me vartate matiḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Pada pertimbanganku, setelah genap tiga belas tahun mereka, telah berlalu lagi tambahan lima bulan dan dua belas malam. Demikianlah kesimpulan yang teguh dalam fikiranku.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic adjudication through careful reckoning of time: vows and conditions (like the Pāṇḍavas’ exile terms) must be evaluated precisely, because justice depends on accurate facts rather than partisan desire.
Bhīṣma offers his considered opinion that the Pāṇḍavas have not only completed the stipulated thirteen-year term but have also exceeded it by five months and twelve nights, strengthening the claim that their obligation has been fulfilled.