Shloka 42
भीष्मकृतः पाण्डवपक्ष-महारथ-प्रशंसा
Bhishma’s appraisal of Pandava-aligned chariot-warriors
बलाबलममित्राणां श्रोतुमिच्छामि कौरव । प्रभातायां रजन्यां वै इदं युद्ध भविष्यति,“कुरुनन्दन! शत्रुओंके बलाबलको सुननेकी मेरी इच्छा है। आजकी रात बीतते ही कल प्रातःकाल यह युद्ध प्रारम्भ हो जायगा”
balābalam amitrāṇāṁ śrotum icchāmi kaurava | prabhātāyāṁ rajanyāṁ vai idaṁ yuddhaṁ bhaviṣyati ||
بھیشم نے کہا: “اے کورو! میں دشمنوں کی قوت و کمزوری کی حقیقت سننا چاہتا ہوں۔ جب یہ رات گزر کر صبح ہوگی تو یہ جنگ یقیناً برپا ہو جائے گی۔”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before a morally weighty and inevitable conflict, responsible leaders must seek clear knowledge of the opponent’s real capacities—strengths and vulnerabilities—so that action is guided by discernment rather than pride, fear, or rumor.
On the eve of battle, Bhishma addresses a Kaurava and asks to be informed about the enemies’ relative power. He underscores the immediacy of events: with dawn, the war is set to begin.