Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1 - Shloka (Verse) 8

व्याख्या-- 'भवान् भीष्मश्च'-- आप और पितामह भीष्म--दोनों ही बहुत विशेष पुरुष हैं। आप दोनोंके समकक्ष संसारमें तीसरा कोई भी नहीं है। अगर आप दोनोंमेंसे कोई एक भी अपनी पूरी शक्ति लगाकर युद्ध करे, तो देवता, यक्ष, राक्षस, मनुष्य आदिमें ऐसा कोई भी नहीं है जो कि आपके सामने टिक सके। आप दोनोंके पराक्रमकी बात जगत्में प्रसिद्ध ही है। पितामह भीष्म तो आबाल ब्रह्मचारी हैं, और इच्छामृत्यु हैं अर्थात् उनकी इच्छाके बिना उन्हें कोई मार ही नहीं सकता।
[महाभारत-युद्धमें द्रोणाचार्य धृष्टद्युम्नके द्वारा मारे गये और पितामह भीष्मने अपनी इच्छासे ही सूर्यके उत्तरायण होनेपर अपने प्राणोंका त्याग कर दिया।]
'कर्णश्च;-- कर्ण तो बहुत ही शूरवीर है। मुझे तो ऐसा विश्वास है कि वह अकेला ही पाण्डव-सेनापर विजय प्राप्त कर सकता है। उसके सामने अर्जुन भी कुछ नहीं कर सकता। ऐसा वह कर्ण भी हमारे पक्षमें है।
[कर्ण महाभारत-युद्धमें अर्जुनके द्वारा मारे गये।]

In order to dispel his own fear, he enumerates those very foremost among men stationed in his own army, beginning with "Bhavan" (Yourself), etc.

He enumerates those very distinguished leaders of his army with "Bhavan" (Yourself), etc.

He conquers the "samitim"—meaning the battle—hence he is so called. The word "Samitinjaya" (Victorious in battle) connects to both sides (the preceding and the succeeding names) according to the Madhyamani Nyaya (the logic of the central gem in a necklace which relates to both sides).

Lest anger arises in Kripa and Ashvatthama due to being counted after Karna, the word "Samitinjaya" is used as an adjective for those two (to appease/honor them).

"Vikarna"—his own brother. "Saumadatti"—Bhurisravas.

"Vikarna"—his own brother.

"Saumadatti"—Bhurisravas.

In some places, the reading is "tathaiva ca" (and also thus) in place of the word "Jayadratha".

Dhritarashtra spoke; Sanjaya replied. Duryodhana, having personally observed the army of the Pandavas protected by Bhima and his own army protected by Bhishma, communicated to the Teacher (Drona) the adequacy of that (Pandava) army for his own defeat and the inadequacy of his own army for victory, and thus became internally filled with despondency.

Seeing his despondency, Bhishma, wishing to generate joy in him, roared like a lion, blew his conch, and created a tumult indicative of victory using the sounds of conches and kettledrums.

Thereafter, hearing that tumult, the Lord of all Lords, Parthasarathi (Krishna), and the warrior son of Pandu (Arjuna)—seated on a magnificent chariot that served as an instrument for conquering the three worlds—blew their divine conches, the glorious 'Panchajanya' and 'Devadatta', causing the three worlds to tremble.

Then, Yudhishthira, Vrikodara (Bhima), and others blew their respective conches separately. That sound shattered the hearts of all your sons headed by Duryodhana. The sons of Dhritarashtra felt that the strength of the Kauravas was destroyed that very day. Thus, Sanjaya related this to Dhritarashtra, who was desirous of their victory.

Then, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra—headed by Bhishma and Drona—positioned and eager to fight, the son of Pandu (Arjuna), bearing the flag of the monkey who burnt Lanka (Hanuman), addressed Hrishikesha (Krishna). Krishna is the repository of knowledge, power, strength, sovereignty, valor, and splendor, who enacts the play of the world's creation, sustenance, and dissolution by His mere will, and who resides as the controller of all internal and external faculties of all beings high and low, yet was situated as his charioteer, overcome by affection for one who had taken refuge in Him. Arjuna urged Him to position the chariot at a vantage point suitable for observing those eager to fight, so he could view them properly.

He mentions those very persons in two verses starting with "Bhavan" (Yourself).

"Bhavan" refers to Drona. He conquers the "samiti"—meaning the battle—hence he is so called (Samitinjaya).

"Saumadatti" is the son of Somadatta, Bhurisravas.

एवं सुयोधनविजयबुभुत्सया कृतस्य प्रश्नस्ययत्र योगेश्वरः 18।78 इति साक्षादुत्तरं वक्ष्यन् तत्प्रत्यायनार्थमखिलमवान्तरवृत्तमपि सञ्जय उवाच दृष्ट्वेति। पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दृष्ट्वा इति सुयोधनस्य धैर्यभ्रंशहेतुः। तदधीनो धैर्यभ्रंशरूपोऽवस्थाविशेषःतुशब्देन सूच्यते। दृष्ट्वेत्यादेरनुनादयन्नित्यन्तस्याव्यक्तांशं व्यञ्जयति दुर्योधन इत्यादिनाअकथयत् रा.भा.1।19 इत्यन्तेन। संज्ञार्थं सम्यग्ज्ञानार्थम् संज्ञया परिसंख्यानार्थं वा। तत्रअन्तर्विषण्णोऽभवत् इत्यन्तेनभीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि 1।11 इत्येतदन्तं व्याख्यातम्।

अपर्याप्तं 1।10 इति श्लोकस्यायमर्थः तत् तस्मात् अस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितमपर्याप्तं परबलविजयाय नालम् इदं त्वेतेषां पाण्डवानां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितं पर्याप्तमस्मद्बलविजयायालम् इति। नन्विदमनुपपन्नं तद्बलमिति सामानाधिकरण्यप्रतीतिभङ्गायोगात् पूर्वत्र च परबलस्वबलयोः सामर्थ्यासामर्थ्यहेतूपन्यासाभावात्। न च भीष्मद्रोणादिरक्षितं स्वबलमयमसमर्थं मन्यते। प्रबलानामेव हि भीष्मद्रोणादीनां वधः सोपाधिकः।न भेतव्यं महाराज म.भा.उ.प.55।1 इत्यादिषु च बहुशः स्वबलस्यैव सामर्थ्यं दुर्योधनेनोपन्यस्तम्। न चेदानीं तद्विपरीतप्रतीतौ कारणमस्ति।

द्वितीयदिवसारम्भे च दुर्योधन एवं वक्ष्यति अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं पार्थाभिरक्षितम्। पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं पार्थिवसत्तमाः म.भा.उ.प. इति। तत्र चास्माकमपर्याप्तमित्येवान्वयः न पुनरस्माकं बलमिति। ततोऽत्रापि तथैव वचनव्यक्तिरुचिता। तस्मात् पाठभेदेन व्यवहितान्वयेन वाक्यभेदेन पदार्थभेदेन वा योजना स्यात्। तत्र भीमभीष्मशब्दयोर्विपर्यासात्पाठभेदः। तथा च भीमाभिरक्षितं तद्बलमस्माकं अपर्याप्तमित्यन्वये सामानाधिकरण्यम् तदिति विप्रकृष्टनिर्देशस्वारस्यम् दुर्योधनाभिप्रायाविरोधश्च सिद्ध्यति। व्यवहितान्वयेऽप्ययमेवार्थः। द्विधा च व्यवहितान्वयोऽत्र शक्यः। भीमाभिरक्षितभीष्माभिरक्षितयोर्विपर्यासादेकःअपर्याप्तं तत् ৷৷. पर्याप्तं त्विदम् इत्यनयोर्विपर्यासाद्द्वितीयः। अर्थौचित्याय तु व्यवधानमात्रं सह्यते।

वाक्यभेदेऽप्येवं योजना अपर्याप्तं तदित्येका प्रतिज्ञा पर्याप्तं त्विदमिति द्वितीया। अत्र को हेतुरिति शङ्कायां हेतुपरं वाक्यद्वयम् अस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् एतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितमिति। अस्मद्बलस्य प्रबलाधिष्ठितत्वात् परबलस्य च दुर्बलाधिष्ठितत्वादित्यर्थः। पदार्थभेदे त्वेवं योजना पर्याप्तं पर्यापनं समापनम् पर्याप्तमिति कर्तरि क्तः नाशनसमर्थमित्यर्थः। अपर्याप्तं नाशनासमर्थमित्यर्थः। भीष्माभिरक्षितमस्माद्बलं तत् अपर्याप्तं नाशयितुं न शक्नोति।तत् इत्य पाण्डवबलं कर्तृतया निर्दिश्यतेइदम् इति च स्वबल परबलपर्यापनकर्तृतया। निष्ठायोगाच्च न कर्मणि षष्ठीप्राप्तिः यद्वा अपर्याप्तमपरिमितमित्यर्थः पर्याप्तं परिमितमित्यर्थः स्वबलस्यैकादशाक्षौहिणीयुक्तत्वात् परबलस्य सप्ताक्षौहिणी युक्तत्वाच्च। सर्वथा तावन्न स्वबलदौर्बल्यं परबलप्राबल्यं च युद्धारम्भे दुर्योधनः प्रसञ्जयेदिति सोऽयं घण्टापथात्पाटच्चर कुटीरप्रवेशः। तथाहि इह तावद्भीष्माभिरक्षितमित्येतत्प्रति शिरस्तया भीमाभिरक्षितमिति केनाभिप्रायेण निर्दिश्यते न तावद्भीष्मवद्भीमस्यापि सेनापतित्वेन धृष्टद्युम्नस्य तत्पतित्वेनोक्तत्वात्। नापि भीष्मसमपौरुषत्वेन अत्यन्तविषमतया प्रसिद्धेः। यथोक्तं भीष्मेणैव शक्तोऽहं धनुषैकेन निहन्तुं सर्वपाण्डवान्। यद्येषां न भवेद्गोप्ता विष्णुः कारणपूरुषः म.भा. इति। नापि प्रतिबलाधीश्वरत्वेन धर्मसूनोस्तथात्वात्। नापि परबलभटप्रधानत्वेन अर्जुनस्यैव तथा प्रसिद्धेः। अतो भीमस्य समस्तधार्तराष्ट्रवधदीक्षितत्वात्तदुचितसाहसबलसहायादियुक्तत्वाच्च तस्य विशेषतो निर्देशः। एवं सति तत्प्रतिशिरस्त्वेन भीष्मस्य निर्देशोऽपि समस्तपाण्डुतनयसंरक्षणप्रवणत्वेन प्रतिपन्नत्वात्। अतः शत्रुभयसहायातिशङ्के पदद्वयसूचिते इत्युक्तं भवति। यत्तूक्तं पूर्वत्र परबलस्वबलयोः सामर्थ्यासामर्थ्यहेतुः

यद्यपि कुछ क्षणों के लिये अपराध की भावना एवं मानसिक उतेंजना के कारण दुर्योधन का विवेक लुप्त हो गया था किन्तु एक तानाशाह की भाँति उसने शीघ्र ही अपने आप को संयमित कर लिया। सम्भवत द्रोणाचार्य के उत्साहरहित मौन से वह समझ गया कि उन्हें द्विज कहकर सम्बोधित करके वह शील की मर्यादा का उल्लंघन कर रहा था।

Or what is the use of this extensive counting? (The manuscript 'K' omits the word 'bahu' - extensive).

The essential reality of the matter is just this much, he says.

Anticipating the Acharya's intent—"If, perceiving the enemy force as exceedingly vast, you have become afraid, then alas! Let peace be sought with the enemies; what is the use of insisting on war?"—he speaks. By the word "tu" (but/however), concealing the fear that has arisen within, he displays his own boldness. "Among all of ours, those who are 'Vishishta'—meaning the most distinguished of all—'Nibodha'—know them (ascertain them with certainty) as they are described by me." This is a form of the root 'budh' belonging to the Bhvadi class, Parasmaipada.

"And those who are the 'Nayaka'—meaning chief leaders—of my army, 'Samjnartham'—meaning, by mentioning the names of a few among those countless ones to indicate the rest, I speak to you; I am not informing you of anything unknown."

By the adjective "Dvijottama" (O Best of the Twice-born), praising the Acharya, he secures his favorability towards his own cause. In the view of wickedness (sarcastic interpretation): "'Dvijottama'—meaning, being a Brahmin, you are unskilled in war; therefore, even if you turn away, since we have excellent Kshatriyas headed by Bhishma, there is no great loss for us"—this is the meaning.

"Samjnartham" (Another nuance): "Lest you forget the warriors on your own side because your mind is distracted by joy upon seeing the army of your beloved disciples, the Pandavas, I make this statement"—this is the sentiment.

Therein, he enumerates the distinguished ones—"Bhavan" (Yourself - Drona), Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa. He conquers the "samitim"—meaning the battle—hence "Samitinjaya" (Victorious in battle)—this is an adjective for Kripa. Since Kripa is counted after Karna, anticipating his anger, this adjective is used to remove it (appease him). These four are distinguished above all.

He enumerates the leaders—"Aswatthama" (son of Drona). Just as the Acharya (Drona) was counted before Bhishma, similarly, counting his son (Aswatthama) before Vikarna and others is for the gratification of the Acharya. "Vikarna"—his (Duryodhana's) own younger brother. "Saumadatti"—the son of Somadatta; being the most excellent, it refers to Bhurisravas. "Jayadratha"—the King of Sindhu. In some places, the reading is "Sindhurajas tathaiva cha."

Are these the only leaders? No, hence he says "Anye cha" (And others). Shalya, Kritavarma, etc. "Madarthe"—meaning for my purpose—they are resolved even to abandon their lives; by this meaning of "Tyaktajivitah" (those who have abandoned/risked their lives), their excessive affection for him (Duryodhana) is expressed. Thus, the abundance of his army, its devotion to him, valor, engagement in war, and skill in battle are shown by adjectives like "Shurah" (Heroes), etc.

Having announced thus, he states their names in two verses starting with "Bhavan." "Bhavan"—is Drona, the teacher of all and our chief. "I consider you most dear (crucial) for the sake of the task." From the sentence "Drona's capacity is in both," he is counted first as seemingly supremely strong.

Bhishma is also chief in the same way. By the word "cha" (and)—anticipating the lack of cursing power due to being a Kshatriya—his cursing power due to being the Grandfather is made known. Since Karna is counted among the 'Ardharathas' later (in the classification of warriors), he might become sad, so he is also counted here as a chief. This is what is grasped by the word "cha." Kripacharya also is similar.

All these are "Samitinjayas"—conquerors of battle; this is an adjective for all, applied distinctively. "Ashwatthama"—your son. "Vikarna" and "Saumadatti"—Bhurisravas. "Tatha" (Thus/So)—means: Just as you and others are equals yet partial to our side, "tathaiva" (in that very manner) is Saumadatti; this is the meaning.

Or "Tathaiva" should be connected to what follows.

Duryodhana also, having observed the army of the Pandavas protected by Vrikodara (Bhima) and others, and his own army protected by Bhishma, communicated to the Teacher the adequacy of that (Pandava) force for his own (Duryodhana's) conquest (defeat) and the inadequacy of his own force for that victory,

and became internally despondent.

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.'