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Pancharatra-core: Bhishma upon enquiry describes the strength of five Pandavas.
Bhishma said:
This immense burden of mine, comparable to an ocean, has been prepared for the battle of Dhritarashtra's son, having been contemplated over many years.
At that intense and thrilling moment, it is not my duty to cause division; thus, you live, O son of a charioteer.
For even though I am old, I would not today, having attacked, destroy your child's faith in battle and life, O son of Suta.
When Rama, the son of Jamadagni, released his great weapons, I felt no pain at all; but what can you do to me?
The wise do not commend self-praise of one's own strength. However, in my distress, I must speak to you, who are a disgrace to your lineage.
In the self-choice ceremony of the king of Kashi, all the assembled kings and warriors were defeated by a single chariot, and the daughters were forcibly taken away.
Thousands of such distinguished warriors, along with their armies, were defeated by me alone in the battlefield.
Having encountered you, the enemy of the Kuru, a great misfortune has arisen, strive to be a man for the sake of destruction.
Engage in the battle, O son of Pritha, against those you compete with. I shall witness you being liberated from this conflict, O one with a wicked mind.
Sanjaya spoke.
Then the wise King Dhritarashtra addressed him, 'O son of Ganga, please consider me, as a significant task is indeed underway.'
Let this be considered first as my supreme ultimate good. Both of you will accomplish my great task.
I wish to hear once more about the best charioteers among others, those who are considered great charioteers there, as well as the leaders of the chariots.
O Kaurava, I wish to know the strengths and weaknesses of the enemies. This battle is indeed set to take place at dawn.
Bhishma said:
O King, these chariots and those counted as great charioteers, as well as those who are half-charioteers, are of the Pandavas. Therefore, listen.
If you are curious today, O king, about the strength of the Pandavas, O mighty-armed one, along with the number of chariots and the lords of the earth.
The king himself, the great charioteer, the Pandava, son of Kunti, will act like fire in battle, dear father, without a doubt.
O King, Bhimasena's chariot is extraordinary, possessing the strength of ten thousand elephants. Proud and radiant, he is beyond human.
The sons of Madri, Nakula and Sahadeva, were two charioteers, exceptional among men, like the Ashvins in form and brilliance.
There is no doubt in my mind that these warriors, at the forefront of the army, will act like Rudra, remembering their own suffering.
All of them are truly great souls, standing tall like the trunks of trees, surpassing other men in stature and size.
All the sons of Pandu are strong and mighty like lions, having practiced celibacy and being great ascetics.
O best of the Bharatas, these respected men are like tigers, mighty and superhuman in speed, attack, and battle. They are all conquerors of kings in their conquest of the directions.
O Kaurava, none of these men can always bear weapons like maces and arrows, nor can they string them, raise them, or even draw heavy maces and arrows.
Even in activities like speed, taking away targets, eating, and dragging sand, you are distinguished by all those children.
They, like mighty tigers, will attack and destroy the army in battle; do not engage with them.
One by one, they defeated all the kings in battle right before your eyes, O King, just as it happened during the Rājasūya sacrifice.
Recalling the suffering of Draupadi and the harsh words spoken during the dice game, they will fight in the battle with the inevitability of time.
Arjuna, the red-eyed warrior with Narayana as his ally, stands unmatched in both armies; no chariot like his exists here.
There was no one before among gods, demons, serpents, ogres, yakshas, or men.
O great king, I have heard of a chariot, either from the past or the future, that is equipped like that of the wise Arjuna.
Vasudeva was the charioteer and Dhananjaya the warrior, wielding the divine bow Gandiva, with horses that were as swift as the wind.
The divine armor that cannot be penetrated, the inexhaustible great arrows, and the collection of weapons belonging to Indra, Rudra, and Kubera.
The maces of Yama and Varuna, fierce in display, along with thunderbolts and other principal weapons, are indeed various.
Thousands of demons from Hiranyapura were slain by a single chariot in battle; who can match his chariot?
This mighty-armed warrior, truly powerful and impetuous, would indeed destroy your army while safeguarding his own.
I and this one would confront, either the teacher or Dhananjaya. There is no third person, O king, in both the armies, who would confront this warrior showering arrows.
Like a cloud driven by strong winds at the end of summer, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, united with Krishna, the son of Vasudeva, is young and accomplished, while we both are indeed old.
Sanjaya said:
Upon hearing this, the kings associated with Bhishma were deeply distressed. Their strong arms, adorned with golden armlets, were anointed with sandalwood paste.
With excitement in their minds, they recalled the ancient strength of the Pandavas as if they had seen it directly.
