Shloka 20
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
गाण्डीवं च धर्नुर्दिव्यं ते चाश्वा वातरंहस: । अभेद्यं कवचं दिव्यमक्षय्यौ च महेषुधी
gāṇḍīvaṃ ca dhanuḥ divyaṃ te cāśvā vātarāṃhasaḥ | abhedyaṃ kavacaṃ divyam akṣayyau ca maheṣudhī ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Taglay mo ang banal na busog na Gāṇḍīva; ang iyong mga kabayo’y kasingbilis ng hangin. Mayroon ka ring banal na baluting hindi mapasok, at dalawang malalaking sisidlan ng palaso na hindi nauubos.” Sa papuring ito sa sandata at kagamitan ni Arjuna, ipinakikita ng epiko na ang pambihirang lakas at pag-iingat ay natitipon para sa matuwid na layon, at pinaaalalahanan na ang gayong mga kaloob ay lalo pang nagpapabigat sa pananagutang kumilos nang may pagpipigil at ayon sa dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that extraordinary strength—divine weapons, protection, and inexhaustible resources—should serve dharma. Such advantages do not merely empower; they heighten moral accountability in the coming conflict.
Bhīṣma is describing (and effectively commending) the formidable, divinely endowed war-gear associated with Arjuna: the Gāṇḍīva bow, wind-swift horses, impenetrable armor, and two inexhaustible quivers—setting the tone for the scale and seriousness of the impending war.