Shloka 18
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
बहूनीह सहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च । रथानां तव सेनायां यथामुख्यं तु मे शूणु,तुम्हारी सेनामें रथियोंकी संख्या अनेक सहस्र, लक्ष और अर्बुदों (करोड़ों)-तक पहुँच जाती है; तथापि उनमें जो प्रधान-प्रधान हैं, उनके नाम मुझसे सुनो
bahūnīha sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca | rathānāṃ tava senāyāṃ yathāmukhyaṃ tu me śṛṇu ||
बहूनीह सहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च। रथानां तव सेनायां यथामुख्यं तु मे शृणु॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid overwhelming numbers, discernment matters: Bhīṣma emphasizes identifying the truly foremost warriors, implying that quality, rank, and capability are ethically and strategically more decisive than mere quantity.
In Udyoga Parva, as war preparations intensify, Bhīṣma addresses the Kaurava side, noting the vast scale of their chariot forces and then transitioning to name and highlight the principal fighters in order of prominence.