Shloka 4
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
तात! कुन्तीका आनन्द बढ़ानेवाले स्वयं पाण्डुपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिर एक श्रेष्ठ रथी (महारथी) हैं। वे समरभूमिमें अग्निके समान सब ओर विचरेंगे, इसमें संशय नहीं है ।।
tāta! kuntīkā ānanda-baḍhānevale svayaṃ pāṇḍuputra rājā yudhiṣṭhira eka śreṣṭha-rathī (mahārathī) haiṃ. ve samarabhūmi meṃ agni ke samāna saba ora vicareṅge, ismeṃ saṃśaya nahīṃ hai. bhīmasenas tu rājendra ratho ’ṣṭaguṇa-sammitaḥ | na tasyāsti samo yuddhe gadayā sāyakair api ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Anak ko, si Yudhishthira—ang anak ni Pandu, ang haring nagpapasaya kay Kunti—ay isang dakilang mandirigmang-karwahe, isang tunay na mahāratha. Sa larangan ng digmaan, lilibot siya sa lahat ng dako na parang apoy; walang pag-aalinlangan dito. At si Bhimasena, O pinakamahusay sa mga hari, ay mandirigmang-karwahe na may walong ulit na lakas; sa digmaan ay wala siyang kapantay—maging sa pamalo (gada) o kahit sa mga palaso.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma underscores the rightful martial capacity of the Pāṇḍavas: Yudhiṣṭhira is not merely a moral king but also a competent mahāratha, and Bhīma’s unmatched power—especially with the mace—signals that dharma in a kṣatriya context includes the ability to protect and prevail when war becomes unavoidable.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Bhīṣma is describing and assessing the fighting strength of the Pāṇḍavas. He highlights Yudhiṣṭhira’s battlefield presence and Bhīma’s extraordinary prowess, emphasizing that their side possesses formidable warriors.