Shloka 21
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
संयन्तार: प्रहर्तार: कृतास्त्रा भारसाधना: । इष्वस्त्रे द्रोणशिष्याश्व॒ कृपस्य च शरद्वतः
saṁyantāraḥ prahartāraḥ kṛtāstrā bhārasādhanāḥ | iṣvastre droṇaśiṣyāś ca kṛpasya ca śaradvatāḥ ||
تم رتھ کو سنبھالنے اور وار کرنے میں ماہر ہو؛ اسلحہ کی تربیت یافتہ ہو اور بھاری بوجھ اٹھانے کے قابل ہو۔ تیراندازی کی ودیا میں تم درون اور شَرَدْوَت کِرِپ—دونوں کے ہی لائق شاگرد ہو۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes disciplined competence: warriors should unite technical mastery (weapons and chariot-control) with endurance and reliability. The verse frames martial excellence as a duty-bound preparedness grounded in proper training under respected teachers.
In Bhīṣma’s address, he is describing and affirming the fighting capability of the addressed warriors—praising their chariot-handling, striking power, weapon-training, and their pedigree as students of Droṇa and Kṛpa—thereby strengthening resolve and assessing readiness for the coming conflict.