Shloka 26
रथ एष महाराज मतो मे राजसत्तम । त्वदर्थ त्यक्ष्यते प्राणान् सहसैन्यो महारणे,महाराज! नृपश्रेष्ठ! ये मेरे मतमें रथी ही हैं और इस महायुद्धमें तुम्हारे लिये अपनी सेनासहित प्राणत्याग करेंगे
ratha eṣa mahārāja mato me rājasattama | tvadartha tyakṣyate prāṇān sahasainyo mahāraṇe ||
بھیشم نے کہا—اے مہاراج، اے نرپ شریشٹھ! میرے نزدیک یہ بے شک رتھی ہے۔ اس عظیم جنگ میں تمہارے لیے یہ اپنی فوج سمیت جان دے دے گا۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of royal service in kṣatriya culture: a worthy warrior is recognized not only by status but by steadfast loyalty and readiness to sacrifice life for the king’s cause in a righteous conflict.
Bhīṣma is assessing a warrior’s caliber before the impending war, assuring the addressed king that this chariot-warrior, in Bhīṣma’s judgment, will fight for the king’s interest and is prepared to die—along with his contingent—in the great battle.