Shloka 3
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 165 — Bhīṣma’s Appraisal and Karṇa’s Rebuttal (भीष्म–कर्ण विवादः)
एतस्य रथवंशे हि तिग्मवेगप्रहारिण: । काम्बोजानां महाराज शलभानामिवायति:
etasya rathavaṁśe hi tigmavegaprahāriṇaḥ | kāmbojānāṁ mahārāja śalabhānām ivāyatiḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O dakilang hari, sa angkan ng mga mandirigmang-karwahe ng taong ito ay tunay na may mabagsik at mabilis na lakas ng pag-atake. Ang pagsalakay ng mga Kamboja ay dumarating sa kaaway na parang biglang dagsa ng mga balang—nakalulunod, matulin, at mahirap pigilan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how inherited martial discipline and collective force can make an army’s advance irresistible; it cautions rulers to recognize the real momentum of trained warrior-groups and not underestimate a swift, coordinated assault.
Bhīṣma is describing the fighting quality and terrifying advance associated with a particular warrior’s chariot-lineage, comparing the Kāmbojas’ onrush to a locust-swarm—an image meant to convey speed, density, and overwhelming impact in battle.