Shloka 9
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava-Aligned Mahārathas
Warrior Roster and Motivations
वृषसेनाय सौभद्रं शेषाणां च महीक्षिताम् | स समर्थ हि त॑ मेने पार्थादभ्यधिकं रणे
vṛṣasenāya saubhadraṃ śeṣāṇāṃ ca mahīkṣitām | sa samartha hi taṃ mene pārthād abhyadhikaṃ raṇe ||
اس نے کرن پتر ورشسین کو سَوبھدر (ابھمنیو) کے مقابل مقرر کیا اور باقی بادشاہوں کو بھی ان کے اپنے اپنے حریفوں کے ساتھ لگا دیا؛ کیونکہ وہ ابھمنیو کو پوری طرح قادر سمجھتا تھا—بلکہ جنگ میں اسے پارتھ (ارجن) سے بھی بڑھ کر مانتا تھا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a leader’s duty to judge capability and assign responsibilities accordingly; it also underscores the kṣatriya ethic that valor and competence in battle determine one’s role, while reminding readers that reputations and assessments of strength shape strategic decisions.
Sañjaya reports that the commander apportions combat duties: Vṛṣasena is directed to face Abhimanyu (Saubhadra), while other kings are assigned elsewhere, because Abhimanyu is regarded as exceptionally capable—considered even stronger than Arjuna in battle.