Shloka 21
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 165 — Bhīṣma’s Appraisal and Karṇa’s Rebuttal (भीष्म–कर्ण विवादः)
गौतमस्य महर्षेर्य आचार्यस्य शरद्वत: । कार्तिकेय इवाजेय: शरस्तम्बात् सुतो&भवत्
gautamasya maharṣer ya ācāryasya śaradvatāḥ | kārtikeya ivājeyaḥ śarastambāt suto 'bhavat ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Mula sa angkan ng dakilang rishi na si Gautama, ang iginagalang na guro na si Śaradvat ay nagkaanak ng isang anak na sumibol mula sa kumpol ng mga tambo—di-matatalo tulad ni Kārtikeya. Sa gayon, itinatampok ko ang pambihirang pinagmulan at nakapanghihilakbot na lakas ni Kṛpa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary origin and proven capability confer moral and social authority: a preceptor-warrior like Kṛpa, born in a wondrous way and described as invincible, should be respected and taken seriously in deliberations about dharma and conflict.
Bhīṣma is describing the background and stature of Śaradvat’s son (Kṛpa), emphasizing that he emerged from a reed thicket and is as unconquerable as Kārtikeya, thereby elevating Kṛpa’s standing among the elders and warriors involved in the impending Kurukṣetra war.