Shloka 3
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
नरेश! अब यदि पाण्डवोंकी सेनाके विषयमें भी जानकारी करनेके लिये तुम्हारे मनमें कौतूहल हो तो इन भूमिपालोंके साथ तुम उनके रथियोंकी गणना सुनो ।।
nareśa! atha yadi pāṇḍavānāṁ senā-viṣaye ’pi jñātuṁ tava manasi kautūhalaṁ bhavet, tarhi ebhir bhūmipālaiḥ saha teṣāṁ rathināṁ gaṇanāṁ śṛṇu. svayaṁ rājā rathodāraḥ pāṇḍavaḥ kuntīnandanaḥ; agnivat samare tāta cariṣyati na saṁśayaḥ.
毗湿摩说道：“大王，若你也想知般度五子之军阵，便与这些诸王一同听我点数其车战士。般度之子、昆蒂之子，那位车力辉煌的国王，必将在战场上如烈火般纵横驰骋，孩子啊；此事毫无疑问。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya ethos and the inevitability of martial prowess once dharma-bound conflict is set in motion: leaders must assess forces soberly, and a righteous king is expected to act decisively in battle—here portrayed through the fire-like energy of the Pāṇḍava king.
Bhīṣma, addressing the Kuru king, transitions from discussing one side’s forces to offering an enumeration of the Pāṇḍavas’ chariot-warriors, beginning by highlighting the Pāṇḍava king (Yudhiṣṭhira), whom he predicts will range through battle like fire.