Skip to content

Bhagavad Gita 1.8

Duryodhana names his foremost warriors: Drona, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, Ashvatthama and others.

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः।
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च॥

bhavān bhīṣmaś ca karṇaś ca kṛpaś ca samitiñjayaḥ
aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca saumadattis tathaiva ca

Translation

Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa, who always wins in battle; Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta as well.

Hindi

आप स्वयं, भीष्म, कर्ण और युद्ध में सदा विजयी कृप; अश्वत्थामा, विकर्ण और सोमदत्त का पुत्र भी।

Commentary

Duryodhana places Drona first, then Bhishma, the commander, and Karna, the warrior he trusts most. Kripa is the family teacher, Ashvatthama is Drona's own son, and Vikarna is Duryodhana's brother. Notice that every name is a person bound to him by duty, kinship or debt. The list continues in 1.9.

Characters in this verse

Places in this verse