Shloka 2
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 165 — Bhīṣma’s Appraisal and Karṇa’s Rebuttal (भीष्म–कर्ण विवादः)
एतस्य रथसिंहस्य तवार्थे राजसत्तम । पराक्रम यथेन्द्रस्य द्रक्ष्यन्ति कुरवो युधि
etasya rathasiṁhasya tavārthe rājasattama | parākramaṁ yathendrasya drakṣyanti kuravo yudhi ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O pinakamainam sa mga hari, alang-alang sa iyo, masasaksihan ng mga mandirigmang Kuru sa digmaan ang lakas ng ‘leon sa mga mandirigmang-karwahe’ na ito—ang haring Kamboja—na magpapamalas ng tapang na gaya ni Indra. Mahahayag ang kanyang giting sa larangan, at mamamasdan ito ng mga Kaurava.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kshatriya ideal of demonstrated valor in service of one’s chosen cause: a warrior’s excellence is measured by steadfast performance in battle, and leaders rely on capable allies whose prowess inspires confidence and deterrence.
In Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Bhishma reassures the addressed king (Duryodhana in this section) by praising an allied Kamboja ruler as a ‘lion among chariot-fighters,’ predicting that the Kuru forces will witness his Indra-like prowess on the battlefield.