Shloka 13
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
कि पुनस्त्वयि दुर्धर्षे सैनापत्ये व्यवस्थिते । द्रोणे च पुरुषव्याप्रे स्थिते युद्धाभिनन्दिनि
ki punas tvayi durdharṣe saināpatye vyavasthite | droṇe ca puruṣavyāpre sthite yuddhābhinandini ||
Wika ni Duryodhana: “Paano ako matatakot, kung ikaw—na mahirap lusubin—ay matatag na nakatalaga bilang pinunong-kawal ng hukbo, at naririto rin si Droṇa, ang leon sa mga tao na nagagalak sa digmaan?”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how reliance on powerful allies and military leadership can generate confidence, yet it also reflects the ethical tension of grounding assurance in martial strength rather than in dharma or just cause.
Duryodhana is bolstering morale by pointing to the presence of a formidable commander and to Droṇa, a renowned warrior who welcomes battle, implying that with such champions on his side he has no reason to fear the coming war.