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VERSE
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पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् |
व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता || 1.3 ||
paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmācārya mahatīṁ camūm
vyūḍhāṁ drupadaputreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā ||
Behold, O Teacher, this grand army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by the son of Drupada, your wise disciple.
Lesson:
In this verse, Duryodhana, the Kaurava prince, continues to address his teacher Dronacharya. Having approached Dronacharya with concerns about the Pandava army, Duryodhana now directs the attention of his teacher to the impressive military formation led by Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Drupada.
The verse begins with the word "Pashyaitam," which means "behold" or "see." Duryodhana is urging Dronacharya to observe the mighty army of the Pandavas, the sons of Pandu. The term "Panduputranam" emphasizes the lineage of the army, highlighting that it comprises the descendants of King Pandu.
The phrase "Acharya mahatim chamum" describes the grand army, with "Acharya" addressing Dronacharya as the teacher and "Mahatim chamum" portraying the vast and formidable military force. Duryodhana acknowledges the significance of the teacher in understanding the dynamics of the battlefield.
The mention of "Vyudham drupadaputreṇa" indicates that the military formation has been arranged by Drupada's son, Dhrishtadyumna. Drupada and Dronacharya share a complex history, including a previous friendship turned rivalry. Dhrishtadyumna, born out of Drupada's penance to destroy Dronacharya, later becomes Dronacharya's disciple in martial arts. Here, Duryodhana subtly highlights the strategic prowess of Dhrishtadyumna, who has organized the Pandava army.
The phrase "Tava shishyena dhimata" underscores the intelligence and wisdom of Dronacharya's disciple, Dhrishtadyumna. Duryodhana strategically reminds Dronacharya of his role as the teacher of both the Kauravas and the Pandavas, emphasizing the significance of the teacher-student relationship on the battlefield.
This verse serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it sets the stage for Duryodhana to showcase the strength of the opposing army and express his concerns about the prowess of the Pandavas. Secondly, it introduces the character of Dhrishtadyumna, who plays a crucial role in the Mahabharata narrative, especially in the context of Dronacharya's destiny.
The Bhagavad Gita, embedded within the Mahabharata, utilizes such interactions to delve into deeper philosophical discussions. Duryodhana's plea to Dronacharya initiates a chain of events that leads to Lord Krishna imparting profound spiritual wisdom to Arjuna. The juxtaposition of war and wisdom creates a unique backdrop for the teachings that follow in the Bhagavad Gita.