Shloka 20

Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)

Devanagari script

सर्वे कृतप्रहरणाश्छेद भेदविशारदा: । रथोपस्थे गजस्कन्धे गदाप्रासासिचर्मणि

Transliteration

sarve kṛtapraharaṇāś cheda-bheda-viśāradāḥ | rathopasthe gaja-skandhe gadā-prāsāsi-carmaṇi ||

Translation

毗湿摩说道：“你们都已整备兵器，善于斩断与劈裂之技。你们既能立于战车之台而战，也能乘象背而斗；并且精于使用钉锤、长矛，以及剑与盾。”

Word by Word

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• कृतप्रहरणाः: having weapons made/ready (well-armed)
• कृतप्रहरणाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृतप्रहरण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• छेद: cutting
• छेद: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: छेद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भेदविशारदाः: skilled in splitting/piercing
• भेदविशारदाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भेदविशारद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• रथोपस्थे: on the chariot-seat
• रथोपस्थे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथोपस्थ
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• गजस्कन्धे: on the elephant's back/shoulder
• गजस्कन्धे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गजस्कन्ध
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• गदाप्रासासिचर्मणि: in (the use of) mace, spear, sword, and shield
• गदाप्रासासिचर्मणि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदाप्रासासिचर्मन्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• ratha (chariot)
• gaja (elephant)
• gadā (mace)
• prāsa (spear)
• asi (sword)
• carma (shield)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhīṣma emphasizes that legitimate strength in war comes from disciplined preparation and mastery of weapons; competence and restraint are implied ethical foundations for kṣatriya action, rather than impulsive violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma addresses the assembled fighters, affirming their readiness and versatility in battle—able to fight from chariots and elephants and skilled with major weapons—thereby assessing and bolstering the martial capacity of the side he is counseling.