Shloka 3
शूरलक्षणवर्णनम् | Marks and Typologies of Martial Temperament
गान्धारा: सिन्धुसौवीरा नखरप्रासयोधिन: । अभीरव: सुबलिनस्तद्धलं सर्वपारगम्,गान्धार, सिन्धु और सौवीर देशके योद्धा नखर (बघनखे) और प्राससे युद्ध करनेवाले हैं। वे बड़े बलवान् और निडर होते हैं। उनकी सेना सबको लाँघ जानेवाली होती है
gāndhārāḥ sindhu-sauvīrā nakhara-prāsa-yodhinaḥ | abhīravāḥ subalinaḥ tad-balaṃ sarva-pāragam ||
गान्धाराः सिन्धुसौवीरा नखरप्रासयोधिनः। अभीरवः सुबलिनस्तद्धलं सर्वपारगम्॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than prescriptive: it highlights how regional forces are characterized by distinctive weapons, fearlessness, and strength—implying that in assessing conflict one must realistically account for the capacities of different armies, not merely intentions.
Bhīṣma is listing or characterizing various peoples and their military qualities, noting that the Gandhāras, Sindhus, and Sauvīras are formidable fighters who use claw-like weapons and spears, and whose army is portrayed as exceptionally hard to overcome.