Shloka 14
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 165 — Bhīṣma’s Appraisal and Karṇa’s Rebuttal (भीष्म–कर्ण विवादः)
ये पाण्डवोंके बड़े-बड़े महारथियोंके पास जा उन महाथनुर्धर क्षत्रियशिरोमणि वीरोंका संहार कर डालेंगे ।। लक्ष्मणस्तव पुत्रश्न तथा दुःशासनस्य च । उभौ तौ पुरुषव्याप्रौ संग्रामेष्वपलायिनौ,तुम्हारा पुत्र लक्ष्मण और दुःशासनका पुत्र-ये दोनों पुरुषसिंह युद्धसे पलायन करनेवाले नहीं हैं
lakṣmaṇas tava putraś ca tathā duḥśāsanasya ca | ubhau tau puruṣavyāghrau saṅgrāmeṣv apalāyinau ||
Bhīṣma disse: «Eles se aproximarão dos grandes maharathas dos Pāṇḍava e exterminarão aqueles heróis, joias dos kṣatriyas, arqueiros magníficos. E Lakṣmaṇa, teu filho, bem como o filho de Duḥśāsana — ambos, homens como tigres, não são dos que fogem das batalhas.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness: true warriors are expected not to abandon the battlefield. Bhīṣma’s praise of their non-retreat underscores valor and resolve as key martial virtues, even within a conflict that raises serious ethical tensions.
In the lead-up to the great war, Bhīṣma is speaking to the Kaurava side and characterizing certain young fighters. He notes that Duryodhana’s son Lakṣmaṇa and Duḥśāsana’s son are both courageous and will not flee in battle.