भीष्म उवाच द्रौपदेया महाराज सर्वे पञ्च महारथाः। वैराटिरुत्तरचैव रथोदारो मतो मम॥
Bhishma said O great king, all the five sons of Draupadi are Maharathas. The son of Virata, Uttara is also a mighty Ratha; such is my opinion.
अभिमन्युर्महाबाहू रथयूथपयूथपः। समः पार्थेन समरे वासुदेवेन चारिहा॥
Abhimanyu, of long arms, is a leader of commanders of groups of chariots and that slayer of enemies is equal in battle to the son of Pritha or Vasudeva,
लब्धास्त्रश्चित्रयोधी च मनस्वी च दृढव्रतः। संस्मरन् वै परिक्लेशं स्वपितुर्विक्रमिष्यति॥
Quick in the use of arms, capable of using diverse weapons, spirited and of firm vows, he will show forth his prowess today remembering the sufferings of his father.
सात्यकिर्माधवः शूरो रथयूथपयूथपः। एष वृष्णिप्रवीराणाममर्षी जितसाध्वसः॥
The hero, Satyaki of the race of Madhu, is a leader of commanders of groups of chariots. He is wrathful among the heroes of the Vrishni race and has conquered fear.
उत्तमौजास्तथा राजन् रथोदारो मतो मम। युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्तो रतोदारो मतो मम॥
In the same way, O king, Uttamaujas is a mighty Ratha is my opinion; and the powerful Yudhishthira too is a mighty Ratha.
एतेषां बहुसाहस्रा रथा नागा हयास्तथा। योत्स्यन्ते तनुंस्त्यक्त्वा कुन्तीपुत्रप्रियेप्सया॥
Many thousand chariots, elephants and horses of these will fight, casting away all hopes of life, with the desire of securing the interests of the sons of Kunti,
पाण्डवैः सह राजेन्द्र तव सेनासु भारत। अग्निमारुतवद् राजन्नाह्वयन्तः परस्परम्॥
United with the sons of Pandu, O chief among kings, O Bharata, they will sweep through your army like fire and wind challenging them.
अजेयौ समरे वृद्धौ विराटदुपदौ तथा। महारथौ महावीर्यो मतौ मे पुरुषर्षभौ॥
The two, Virata and Drupada, invincible and experienced in battle. They are are great car-warriors and these two foremost among men are endued with great energy.
वयोवृद्धावपि हि तौ क्षत्रधर्मपरायणौ। यतिष्येते परं शक्त्या स्थितौ वीरगते पथि।॥
Though old in age they observe the duties of Kshatriya order and they will try, with all their might, to stay in the path walked over by heroes.
सम्बन्धकेन राजेन्द्र तौ तु वीर्यबलान्वयात्। आर्यवृत्तौ महेष्वासौ स्नेहवीर्यसितावुभौ॥
Owing to their relationship with the Pandavas, O chief among king, those two great bowmen will get an increase of their energy.
कारणं प्राप्य तु नरा: सर्व एव महाभुजाः। शूरा वा कातरा वापि भवन्ति कुरुपुङ्गव॥
All men of long arms become heroes or cowards, O foremost among the Kurus, according to the cause for which they fight.
एकायनगतावेतौ पार्थिवौ दृढधन्विनौ। प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा परं शक्त्या घट्टितारो परंतप॥
These two rulers, of the earth, of firm grasp on the bow, with a singleness of purpose, will try with all their might, casting off all desire for life, in slaying your troops, O chastiser of foes.
पृथगक्षौहिणीभ्यां तावुभौ संयति दारुणौ। सम्बन्धिभावं रक्षन्तौ महत् कर्म करिष्यतः॥
Each, at the head of their separate Akshauhini, will make fierce attempt and observing the duties of the relationship they will do great deeds.
लोकवीरौ महेष्वासौ त्यक्तात्मानौ च भारत। प्रत्ययं परिरक्षन्तौ महत् कर्म करिष्यतः॥
The two heroes among men, the mighty bowmen, disregarding their lives, O Bharata, will perform great deeds making good the trust.