अध्याय १६९ — भीष्मस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रशंसा तथा शिखण्डिविषये नियमः
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava Forces and His Constraint Regarding Śikhaṇḍin
लोकवीरीौ महेष्वासौ त्यक्तात्मानौ च भारत | प्रत्ययं परिरक्षन्ती महत् कर्म करिष्यत:
lokavīrau maheṣvāsau tyaktātmānau ca bhārata | pratyayaṁ parirakṣantau mahat karma kariṣyataḥ ||
ହେ ଭାରତ! ସେ ଦୁଇଜଣ ଲୋକବିଖ୍ୟାତ ବୀର, ମହାଧନୁର୍ଧର; ଆତ୍ମବିସ୍ମୃତ ହୋଇ ଯୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବେ। ନିଜ ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା-ବିଶ୍ୱାସ ଓ ସମ୍ମାନକୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରି, ଦେହକୁ ଅଗଣା କରି ରଣଭୂମିରେ ମହାନ ପୁରୁଷାର୍ଥ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିବେ।
भीष्म उवाच
The verse elevates fidelity to one’s pledge (pratyaya) and honor as a central kṣatriya ethic: true greatness is shown when warriors protect trust and reputation even at personal risk, placing duty above bodily attachment.
Bhīṣma, addressing Dhṛtarāṣṭra as ‘Bhārata,’ foretells that two famed warrior-kings (great archers) will soon undertake a decisive martial action, fighting with disregard for their own safety in order to uphold their pledged word and standing.