Shloka 2
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava-Aligned Mahārathas
Warrior Roster and Motivations
पदातिनीं नागवतीं रथिनीम श्ववृन्दिनीम् चतुर्विधबलां भीमामकम्पां पृथिवीमिव,उसमें पैदल, हाथी, रथ और अश्वसमूह भी थे। इस प्रकार वह चतुरंगिणी सेना बड़ी भयंकर और पृथ्वीके समान अविचल थी
sañjaya uvāca | padātinīṃ nāgavatīṃ rathinīm aśvavṛndinīṃ caturvidhabalāṃ bhīmām akampāṃ pṛthivīm iva |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Ito’y hukbong may apat na sangay—mga kawal na naglalakad, mga elepante, mga karwaheng pandigma, at nagkakaisang pangkat ng mga kabayo—nakapanghihilakbot sa lakas, at di-matitinag na gaya ng mismong lupa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the overwhelming, well-organized might of a caturaṅga (four-limbed) army. Ethically, it underscores how the scale and steadiness of martial power can intensify the gravity of decisions about war, urging discernment and responsibility before unleashing such force.
Sañjaya is describing the composition and intimidating stability of a great army: it includes infantry, elephant units, chariots, and large cavalry formations, and it stands firm—likened to the earth in immovability.