Shloka 5
तथा यवनकाम्बोजा मथुरामभितश्न ये । एते नियुद्धकुशला दाक्षिणात्यासिपाणय:,यवन, काम्बोज और मथुराके आस-पासके रहनेवाले योद्धा मल्लयुद्धमें निपुण होते हैं। तथा दक्षिण देशोंके निवासी हाथोंमें तलवार लिये रहते हैं। (वे तलवार चलाना अच्छा जानते हैं)
tathā yavanakāmbojā mathurām abhitaś ca ye | ete niyuddhakuśalā dākṣiṇātyāsipāṇayaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Gayundin, ang mga Yavana at Kamboja, at yaong naninirahan sa paligid ng Mathurā, ay bihasa sa niyuddha—ang labanang may tuntunin—at sa malla-yuddha, ang sining ng pakikipagbuno. Ang mga tao sa katimugan nama’y laging may tabak sa kamay—dalubhasa sa paggamit ng talim.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights that different regions and peoples are known for distinct martial specializations—some excel in regulated close combat (niyuddha), while others are famed for swordsmanship—implying that competence and duty in warfare depend on disciplined training and inherited practice.
In Shanti Parva’s instructional discourse, Bhishma is describing the characteristic strengths of various peoples and regions, cataloging who is renowned for which kind of fighting skill, as part of a broader explanation of polity, social order, and practical knowledge relevant to kingship and dharma.