Shloka 19
Kṛṣṇasya Karṇam Prati Sāntvavacana
Kṛṣṇa’s Conciliatory Address to Karṇa
मन्त्री जनार्दनो यस्य भ्राता यस्य धनंजय: । सर्वशस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठ; कथं जेष्पसि पाण्डवम्
mantrī janārdano yasya bhrātā yasya dhanañjayaḥ | sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ kathaṃ jeṣyasi pāṇḍavam ||
毗湿摩说道：“你怎能征服般度之子（尤狄施提罗）？他的谋臣是世尊阇那尔达那（奎师那），他的兄弟是持弓的檀那阇耶（阿周那），为一切执兵者之最。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes that power is not only numerical or political: righteous counsel (Kṛṣṇa as minister) and unsurpassed capability (Arjuna as the foremost warrior) make the Pāṇḍava cause extraordinarily difficult to overcome. The verse underscores ethical-strategic discernment—recognizing when a war is unjust or unwinnable against dharma-supported strength.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Bhīṣma addresses the Kaurava side, cautioning them about the futility of trying to defeat Yudhiṣṭhira’s party. He points to Kṛṣṇa’s guidance and Arjuna’s martial supremacy as decisive advantages for the Pāṇḍavas.