Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 1 Arjuna Visada Yogah

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिंजयः |
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ||8||

Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa, the victorious in battle; Ashwatthama, Vikarna, and Saumadatti, too.

Bhīṣma: The grandsire of the Kuru dynasty.
Karṇa: A key warrior and friend of Duryodhana.
Aśvatthāmā: Son of Dronacharya.
Vikarṇa: One of the Kaurava brothers.

Duryodhana mentions the stalwart leaders of the Kaurava army, starting with his own teacher, Dronacharya. This not only serves to list the strength of the Kaurava forces but also to motivate Dronacharya by highlighting the presence of powerful allies like Bhishma and Karna.

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Arjuna Visada Yogah - There are many other heroes, too, who are willing to lay down their lives for my sake. They are all well-equipped with various weapons and are experienced in the art of warfare.

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः |
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ||9||

There are many other heroes, too, who are willing to lay down their lives for my sake. They are all well-equipped with various weapons and are experienced in the art of warfare.

Tyaktajīvitāḥ: Ready to give up their lives.
Yuddhaviśāradāḥ: Experts in the art of warfare.
Nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ: Equipped with various weapons.
Śūrā: Heroes or brave ones.

Duryodhana speaks of the numerous other soldiers in his army who are skilled in different weapons and are willing to sacrifice their lives for him. By emphasizing their readiness for self-sacrifice, he tries to inspire confidence and trust in the strength of his army.

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अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् |
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ||10||

Our strength, protected by Bhishma, is unlimited, whereas the strength of the Pandavas, protected by Bhima, is limited.

Aparyāptaṁ: Unlimited.
Paryāptaṁ: Limited.
Bhīṣmābhirakṣitam: Protected by Bhishma.
Bhīmābhirakṣitam: Protected by Bhima.

Duryodhana contrasts the two armies, highlighting Bhishma’s immense power and leadership on their side. However, his assessment that the Pandava strength is limited because of Bhima shows a sense of overconfidence, which will play a role as the battle progresses.

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अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिता: |
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्त: सर्व एव हि ||11||

In all strategic positions, stationed as per arrangement, let everyone protect Bhishma.

Bhishma: Commander of the Kuru army.
Ayaneshu: Strategic positions.

This verse instructs the warriors to strategically protect Bhishma. As the oldest and most respected warrior, Bhishma was crucial for the Kauravas. The leaders were encouraged to guard him, emphasizing his importance. The arrangement of forces shows the tactical planning behind the battle.

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तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्ध: पितामह: |
सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चै: शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ||12||

Then, Bhishma, the elder of the Kurus, raised the conch shell and blew it loudly, giving joy to Duryodhana.

Bhishma: Commander of the Kuru army.
Singhanadam: Lion’s roar.

Bhishma’s act of blowing the conch is symbolic of his strength and readiness for battle. The sound signifies both a declaration of war and the instilling of confidence in Duryodhana. Bhishma, the grand elder of the Kuru dynasty, signifies the start of a decisive phase in the war, filling his army with hope.

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तत: शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखा: |
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ||13||

Then, suddenly, conches, drums, trumpets, and horns were all sounded, creating a tumultuous sound.

Bheriya: War drums.
Gomukha: Horns or conch.

The sudden sound of various instruments filled the battlefield, symbolizing the onset of war. The noise created a sense of urgency and chaos, setting the tone for the fierce conflict that was to follow. This verse emphasizes the grandeur and intensity of the impending battle as the sounds echo throughout the field.

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तत: श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ |
माधव: पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतु: ||14||

Krishna and Arjuna, seated on a great chariot, blew their divine conch shells.

Madhava: Another name for Krishna.
Pandava: Sons of Pandu, here referring to Arjuna.

This verse introduces the divine aspect of the battle. Krishna, the charioteer of Arjuna, and Arjuna himself, prepare for battle by blowing their celestial conch shells, symbolizing their readiness to fight. The conches also signify the divinity and righteousness on the Pandava side as they prepare to face their enemies.

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