Shloka 21
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
संयन्तार: प्रहर्तार: कृतास्त्रा भारसाधना: । इष्वस्त्रे द्रोणशिष्याश्व॒ कृपस्य च शरद्वतः
saṁyantāraḥ prahartāraḥ kṛtāstrā bhārasādhanāḥ | iṣvastre droṇaśiṣyāś ca kṛpasya ca śaradvatāḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Bihasa kayo sa pagmamaniobra ng karwahe at sa pagtama ng mga hampas sa labanan; sanay kayo sa paggamit ng mga sandata at may lakas na magbuhat ng mabibigat na pasanin. Sa agham ng pana at palaso, kayo’y karapat-dapat na mga alagad ni Drona, at gayundin ni Kripa Sharadvata.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes disciplined competence: warriors should unite technical mastery (weapons and chariot-control) with endurance and reliability. The verse frames martial excellence as a duty-bound preparedness grounded in proper training under respected teachers.
In Bhīṣma’s address, he is describing and affirming the fighting capability of the addressed warriors—praising their chariot-handling, striking power, weapon-training, and their pedigree as students of Droṇa and Kṛpa—thereby strengthening resolve and assessing readiness for the coming conflict.