In ancient Indian warfare, there was a system of grading the warriors according to both their skills and abilities. A kind of grading the fighters is this.
He that has little ability and little skill is reckoned as Ardharatha ( we used the word semi-skilled fighter in our translation.). This is the lowest grade of a chariot fighter.
He that has good abilities and a good skill is reckoned as Samaratha ( we used the word skilled fighter in this translation.). That means he can face and fight against one chariot fighter like him. This is a grade higher than Ardharatha rank.
He who can fight against eleven thousand skilled fighters on chariots at the same time is a Mahaaratha ( we used the term grand fighter in our translation.). This is a higher rank than Samaratha.
A chariot-mounted fighter who can face and fight against any number of chariots simultaneously is an Athiratha ( We used the word super grand fighter in our translation.). this is the highest rank among chariot-mounted fighters.
To be graded among even Ardharathas, one must be a chariot-mounted fighter. Ability to fight with bow and arrows from a chariot is a must and minimum quality to rank among those grades.
Bheeshma's reckoning of Karna as Ardharatha led to an internal strife in the Kouravas army leaders whereby Karna laid down his arms until Bheeshma fell.
"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."
DEDICATED TO MY DEAR NIECE VYSHNAVI KRISHNA