Shloka 17
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
भीष्म उवाच गान्धारे शृणु राजेन्द्र रथसंख्यां स्वके बले । ये रथा: पृथिवीपाल तथैवातिरथाश्न ये
bhīṣma uvāca gāndhāre śṛṇu rājendra rathasaṅkhyāṃ svake bale | ye rathāḥ pṛthivīpāla tathaivātirathāś ca ye ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O anak ni Gandhari, O panginoon ng mga hari, pakinggan mo ang bilang ng mga mandirigmang nasa karwahe sa sarili mong hukbo. O tagapangalaga ng lupa, ilalarawan ko ang mga mandirigmang karwahe at ang mga dakilang mandirigmang karwahe (atiratha) sa iyong mga puwersa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights responsible leadership in war: a ruler must know the true strength and graded capabilities of his forces. Clear assessment and truthful counsel are part of kshatriya duty, especially when decisions carry ethical and societal consequences.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Bhishma addresses Duryodhana and begins enumerating the Kaurava side’s chariot-warriors, distinguishing between rathas and atirathas as part of a formal assessment of military strength.