Adhyay -1 Verses 2-11

श्रीमद्भागवत गीता

Verse 2:

Sanjaya said to the king Dhritarashtra, "When Duryodhana saw the vast army of the Pandavas deployed in battle formation, he went to the preceptor Dronacharya and spoke these words." This sets the scene, with Duryodhana observing the Pandava forces and then approaching Dronacharya, the revered military instructor, to relay his observations.

Verse 3: 

Duryodhana says to Dronacharya, "O teacher, behold this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed in battle formation by your intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada." Duryodhana is pointing out the formidable nature of the Pandava forces, which have been expertly deployed in a strategic formation by Dronacharya's own student, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of King Drupada. This highlights the skill and strength of the Pandava side.

Verse 4:

Duryodhana continues, "Here are heroes and great archers, equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna - Yuyudhana, Virata and the great charioteer Drupada." He names several of the distinguished Pandava warriors, including Yuyudhana (also known as Satyaki), Virata, and Drupada, the powerful king and father of Dhrishtadyumna. Duryodhana acknowledges that these are mighty fighters, on par with the legendary Pandava heroes Bhima and Arjuna.

Verse 5: 

Duryodhana goes on, "Also Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana and the valiant king of Kashi, Puruujit, Kuntibhoja and Shaivya, the foremost of men." He lists more formidable Pandava allies, including the kings Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the ruler of Kashi, Puruujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaivya, all of whom are described as exceptional warriors.

Verse 6:

"The mighty Yudhamanyu, the brave Uttamauja, the son of Subhadra and the sons of Draupadi - all of them are great chariot-warriors." Duryodhana continues enumerating the Pandava champions, highlighting Yudhamanyu, Uttamauja, Abhimanyu (the son of Subhadra), and the sons of Draupadi as renowned chariot-warriors.

Verse 7: 

Duryodhana then says to Dronacharya, "Know also, O best of the twice-born, the distinguished warriors who are on our side, the leaders of my army. I shall name them for you." Having described the formidable Pandava forces, Duryodhana now shifts focus to introducing the key warriors fighting for the Kauravas.

Verse 8:

Duryodhana lists the prominent Kaurava champions: "Yourself, and Bhishma, and Karna, and Kripa, the victorious in battle; Ashwatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta, known as Bhurish'ravas." This includes Dronacharya himself, as well as the legendary Bhishma, the mighty Karna, the skilled Kripa, Ashwatthama, Vikarna, and Bhurish'ravas.

Verse 9:

Duryodhana continues, "And there are many other heroic warriors who have risked their lives for my sake, armed with various weapons, all of them skilled in war." He acknowledges that there are many more Kaurava warriors, all skilled in combat and willing to sacrifice themselves for Duryodhana's cause.

Verse 10:

Duryodhana then makes a comparative assessment: "Our army, protected by Bhishma, is limitless, but this army of theirs, protected by Bhima, is limited." He argues that the Kaurava forces under Bhishma's leadership are virtually limitless, while the Pandava army, protected by the mighty Bhima, is more constrained in size and power.

Verse 11:

In conclusion, Duryodhana exhorts Dronacharya and the other Kaurava generals: "Therefore, all of you, positioned in your respective strategic points, protect Bhishma alone." He urges them to focus their efforts on safeguarding the venerable Bhishma, who is the key to their army's success.