Arjuna’s Inner Struggle - 01 - 03

The Shloka

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पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् ।

व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥

———

paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmācārya mahatīṁ camūm ।

vyūḍhāṁ drupaputreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka is crucial as it reveals Duryodhana’s state of mind and his manipulative tactics. By highlighting the Pandava army’s strength and the irony of Dhrishtadyumna (Drona’s student and destined slayer) leading it, Duryodhana aims to instigate Dronacharya. He reminds Drona of his allegiance, his past rivalry with Drupada, and the potential danger from his own former student. It underscores the deep-seated resentments, complex relationships, and the psychological warfare that precedes the physical battle, setting the emotional tone for the entire conflict.

O teacher (Dronacharya), behold this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, which has been expertly arrayed by your own intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada (Dhrishtadyumna).

Duryodhana asks Dronacharya to observe the great Pandava army, which has been skillfully arranged by Dhrishtadyumna, who is Drona’s intelligent disciple and son of Drupada.

In this significant verse from the first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kaurava princes, addresses his military preceptor, Dronacharya. He directs Drona’s attention to the formidable and vast army of the Pandavas, who are the sons of King Pandu. Duryodhana specifically points out that this impressive military formation has been strategically arranged and commanded by Dhrishtadyumna, who is ironically Dronacharya’s own student and possesses great intelligence. The statement is laced with a subtle attempt by Duryodhana to provoke Dronacharya, reminding him of his duty to the Kauravas and the complex loyalties and rivalries that exist among the combatants, particularly between Drona and Dhrishtadyumna, whose very birth was foretold to lead to Drona’s demise.

Sentence - 1

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पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् ।

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Meaning

O teacher, behold this mighty army of the sons of Pandu.

Meaning of Words

पश्य	paśya	Behold; See; Look at.
एतां	etām	This.
पाण्डुपुत्राणाम्	pāṇḍuputrāṇām
Of the sons of Pandu; of the Pandavas. This refers to the Pandavas, the five sons of King Pandu: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. They are the righteous heroes of the Mahabharata epic and the principal adversaries of the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War.
आचार्य	ācārya
O teacher; O preceptor; O master. In this context, ‘Ācārya’ refers specifically to Dronacharya, the revered guru (teacher) of both the Kaurava and Pandava princes in martial arts, especially archery. Duryodhana addresses him by this title to acknowledge his position and perhaps to subtly remind him of his duty as the preceptor of the Kauravas.
महतीं	mahatīm	Mighty; Great; Huge; Large.
चमूम्	camūm	Army; Host; Military force.

Sentence - 2

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व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥

———

Meaning

which has been expertly arrayed by your own intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada.

Meaning of Words

व्यूढां	vyūḍhām
Arrayed; Arranged; Formed (in a military formation).
द्रुपदपुत्रेण	drupada-putreṇa
By the son of Drupada. This refers to Dhrishtadyumna, the son of King Drupada of Panchala. Dhrishtadyumna was born from a fire sacrifice (Yajna) specifically to avenge his father’s humiliation by Dronacharya and to be the slayer of Drona in battle.
तव	tava	Your.
शिष्येण	śiṣyeṇa
By the disciple; By the student. This refers to Dhrishtadyumna, who, despite being born to kill Dronacharya, was also trained in warfare by Drona himself. This ironic relationship is a key point Duryodhana uses to provoke Drona.
धीमता	dhīmatā
By the intelligent one; By the wise one; By the discerning one. This adjective describes Dhrishtadyumna, acknowledging his strategic skill and intellect in arranging the Pandava army, making him a formidable and capable commander. Duryodhana’s use of this term further emphasizes the gravity of the situation to Dronacharya.

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