FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 1.5

ధృష్టకేతుశ్చేకితానః కాశిరాజశ్చ వీర్యవాన్ । పురుజిత్కున్తిభోజశ్చ శైబ్యశ్చ నరపుఙ్గవః ॥ ౫ ॥
dhṛṣṭaketuś cekitānaḥ
[dhrishtaketush chekitaanah]
kāśirājaś ca vīryavān
[kaashiraajash cha veeryavaan]
purujit kuntibhojaś ca
[purujit kuntibhojash cha]
śaibyaś ca nara-puṅgavaḥ
[shaibyash cha nara-pungavah]
Word-for-word
dhṛṣṭaketuḥ — Dhṛṣṭaketu cekitānaḥ — Cekitāna kāśirājaḥ — Kāśirāja ca — also vīrya - vān — very powerful purujit — Purujit kuntibhojaḥ — Kuntibhoja ca — and śaibyaḥ — Śaibya ca — and nara - puṅgavaḥ — hero in human society .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dhṛṣṭaketuś cekitānaḥ
dhṛṣṭaketuḥ
Dhṛṣṭaketu
cekitānaḥ
Cekitāna
kāśirājaś ca vīryavān
kāśirājaḥ
Kāśirāja
ca
also
vīrya - vān
very powerful
purujit kuntibhojaś ca
purujit
Purujit
kuntibhojaḥ
Kuntibhoja
ca
and
śaibyaś ca nara-puṅgavaḥ
śaibyaḥ
Śaibya
ca
and
nara - puṅgavaḥ
hero in human society .
Important Words
  • vīrya - vān — very powerful
    *Vīrya* — heroic potency, the same word the Gītā later uses for divine power (BG 10.41). Duryodhana grants ordinary kṣatriyas an attribute that ultimately belongs to Kṛṣṇa. The vocabulary keeps betraying him.
  • kāśirājaḥ — King of Kāśī (Vārāṇasī)
    The ruler of the holiest city of the *brāhmaṇical* world has aligned himself with the Pāṇḍavas. The implication, half-spoken: even Kāśī, the very seat of dharma-learning, has chosen sides — and not Duryodhana's.
  • kuntibhojaḥ — Kuntibhoja
    The foster-father of Kuntī. Naming him is naming the household that raised the mother of the Pāṇḍavas. Every personal name in Sanskrit war-poetry doubles as a lineage marker; Duryodhana is reciting his enemies' moral genealogy.
  • nara - puṅgavaḥ — hero among men
    Literally "a bull among men" — *puṅgava* is the lead-bull of the herd. A pastoral, almost affectionate, image of leadership. Duryodhana applies this Vedic warmth to enemies. His tongue is more honest than his cause.
There are also great heroic, powerful fighters like Dhṛṣṭaketu, Cekitāna, Kāśirāja, Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Śaibya.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
5. Here are Dhṛṣṭaketu, Cekitāna, the valorous king of Kāśī , Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Śaibya, the best of men.
Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
Here are Dhṛṣṭaketu, Cekitāna, the valorous king of Kāṣī, Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Śaibya, all excellent heroes. [BG 2.47](bg:2/47)
Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

COMMON THEME: Duryodhana’s actions are described – They reveal his diplomacy and inner fear by the

following indications:

1. Duryodhana although mentioned as king, goes to the commander on account of seriousness of

situation – quite fit to be a politician (1.2)

2. Points out Drona’s mistake (of imparting military secrets to son of Drupada, Dhrstadyumna who was

born to kill Dronacharya) to make him alert and uncompromising and warns that leniency would lead to

defeat (1.3*)

3. Mentions great heros equal to Bhima and Arjuna (1.4*)

Why he compares them to Bhima and Arjuna –
Because he knew the strength of Bhima and Arjuna
Why he mentions other heros –
Because they were great stumbling blocks on the path of victory as each and every one of them was as formidable and Bhima and Arjuna

4. Mentions heros who are ready to lay down their lives for “me” (like Jayadratha, Krtavarma, Salya) (1.9)

5. Praises Bhisma – He was confident of full support of Bhismadeva and Dronacarya because:

They did not protect Draupadi when she was insulted
Although Bhisma and Drona have affection for Pandavas and might become lenient, he hoped that they will give up all affection now (1.11)

6. Asks for everyone’s support for Bhisma (1.11) – because

Bhismadeva was undoubtedly the great hero, but he was an old man and the enemy might take advantage of his full engagement on one side
He wanted everyone to feel important
Focus of Learning

PLEASE NOTE: Some points of these purports are covered under the main theme above

(a) Why Sanjaya described Duryodhana’s actions first –

Because Dhrtarashtra was blind from birth and also bereft of spiritual vision and he knew that his sons were equally blind in the matter of religion
And Dhrtarashtra was afraid that under the influence of the place of pilgrimage, his sons may make some compromise

(b) Study names of warriors on both sides (1.4 – 1.9)

(c) Duryodhana compared Bhisma (more experienced general) to Bhima (less experienced general)

(1.10*)

Because Duryodhana knew if he should die at all he would be killed by Bhima and was therefore always envious of Bhima
Bhima is like a fig in the presence of Bhisma

(d) What made Duryodhana confident of victory (1.7 – 1.11)

Above mentioned strength of his friends (1.7 – 1.9)
Presence of Bhisma, a far superior General than Bhima – He clearly felt that victory of Kurus dependent on the presence of Bhismadeva (1.11)
Confident of full support of Bhisma and Drona as they had shown during Draupadi’s insulting episode (1.11 purport)
SUBSECTION B — SIGNS OF VICTORY OF PANDAVAS (1.12* — 1.20)

COMMON THEME: Sanjaya tactfully informed Dhrtarashtra about “his hopeless plans to win” by giving the

following indications and signs:

SIGNS OF VICTORY OF PANDAVAS (9 points) 1. Krishna’s personal presence confirms victory
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the charioteer (1.14) – “jayas tu pandu-putranam yesam…”
Krishna as Hrsikesha directly controls the senses of a pure devotee

2. Goddess of fortune

Whenever and wherever the Lord is present, the goddess of fortune is also there
She never lives without her husband; therefore all fortune is guaranteed (1.14)

3. Venue

Kurukshetra is a holy place (1.1)

4. Hanumanji on Arjuna’s flag

Hanumanji also helped Lord Rama in gaining victory (1.20)

5. Symbol of Vishnu

Conchshell is a symbol of Vishnu (1.12* & 1.14)
This is indirectly indicated by Bhisma and Pandavas conchshells

6. Transcendental conchshells

Krishna and Arjuna’s conchshell mentioned as divya (transcendental) (1.14)

7. Bhisma’s conchshell to pacify Duryodhana (1.12*)

8. Agnideva’s Chariot given to Arjuna

It was capable of conquering all directions (1.14)

9. Shattering of hearts

Conchshells of Pandavas shattered Kauravas hearts (1.19)
Pandavas hearts not shattered – because of confidence in Krishna
Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
1.5 Sri Sankaracharya did not comment on this sloka. The commentary starts from 2.10.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
1.1 - 1.19 Dhrtarastra said - Sanjaya said Duryodhana, after viewing the forces of Pandavas protected by Bhima, and his own forces protected by Bhisma conveyed his views thus to Drona, his teacher, about the adeacy of Bhima's forces for conering the Kaurava forces and the inadeacy of his own forces for victory against the Pandava forces. He was grief-stricken within. Observing his (Duryodhana's) despondecny, Bhisma, in order to cheer him, roared like a lion, and then blowing his conch, made his side sound their conchs and kettle-drums, which made an uproar as a sign of victory. Then, having heard that great tumult, Arjuna and Sri Krsna the Lord of all lords, who was acting as the charioteer of Arjuna, sitting in their great chariot which was powerful enough to coner the three worlds; blew their divine conchs Srimad Pancajanya and Devadatta. Then, both Yudhisthira and Bhima blew their respective conchs separately. That tumult rent asunder the hearts of your sons, led by Duryodhana. The sons of Dhrtarastra then thought, 'Our cause is almost lost now itself.' So said Sanjaya to Dhrtarastra who was longing for their victory. Sanjaya said to Dhrtarastra: Then, seeing the Kauravas, who were ready for battle, Arjuna, who had Hanuman, noted for his exploit of burning Lanka, as the emblem on his flag on his chariot, directed his charioteer Sri Krsna, the Supreme Lord-who is overcome by parental love for those who take shelter in Him who is the treasure-house of knowledge, power, lordship, energy, potency and splendour, whose sportive delight brings about the origin, sustentation and dissolution of the entire cosmos at His will, who is the Lord of the senses, who controls in all ways the senses inner and outer of all, superior and inferior - by saying, 'Station my chariot in an appropriate place in order that I may see exactly my enemies who are eager for battle.'
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
1.2 1.9 Why this exhaustive counting? The reality of things is this:
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
1.5. "Dhrishtaketu, chekitana and the valiant king of Kasi, Purujit and Kuntibhoja and Saibya, the best men.
Commentary

1.5 धृष्टकेतुः Dhrishtaketu? चेकितानः Chekitana? काशिराजः king of Kasi? च and? वीर्यवान् valiant? पुरुजित् Purujit? कुन्तिभोजः Kuntibhoja? च and? शैब्यः son of Sibi? च and? नरपुङ्गवः the best of men.No Commentary.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
1.5 Dhrstaketu, Cekitana, and the valiant king of Kasi (Varanasi); Purujit and Kuntibhoja, and Saibya, the choicest among men;
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
1.5 Dhrishtaketu, Chekitan, the valiant King of Benares, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, Shaibya - a master over many;
Related values & verses
Related verses
BG 10.4 BG 10.5 BG 7.8 SB 3.25.25 SB 11.26.26 SB 5.12.12 CC Madhya 22.54 CC Madhya 22.131 CC Antya 4.71 Chāndogya Upaniṣad 7.26.2BRS 1.2.229
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Each devotee is a reservoir of specific qualities; the company we keep slowly imprints those qualities upon us.
Practical Applications
  • Choose one quality (compassion, steadiness, sweetness) and identify the devotee in your life who exemplifies it.
  • Spend ten minutes this week listening to that devotee speak about Kṛṣṇa.
  • Replace one hour of mundane media with kīrtana or a class by a senior Vaiṣṇava.
Reflection Questions
  • Whose association is silently shaping me, and into whose image?
  • Which qualities am I currently absorbing from the company I keep?
Analogy

Naming a row of swords in a rival's armoury is not the same as having defeated them. Duryodhana keeps listing — Dhṛṣṭaketu, Cekitāna, Kāśirāja, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, Śaibya — and each name is a brick he is stacking against his own wall of confidence.

Stories
Kuntibhoja, who raised Kuntī

Kuntibhoja was the foster-father of Kuntī, the mother of the Pāṇḍavas. It was in his house that the boon-sage Durvāsā gave her the mantra by which she would later call down the gods. Duryodhana now sees, across the battlefield, the very king whose household nurtured the Pāṇḍava line into being.

The Mahābhārata loves these geometries: the man whose protection produced the queen whose sons would face you. Duryodhana names him in the cold tone of a list. But every name on the list is a thread leading back to the Pāṇḍavas' moral standing. Even silence would have been gentler on his own side.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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