भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः |
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ||
Meaning
You and Bhishma, and Karna and also Kripa, the victorious and conqueror of enemies in war, Asvatthama, Vikarna, and also Bhurisrava, the son of Somadatta.
Word to Word Meaning
भवान्भीष्मश्च – You and Bhishma
कर्णश्च – Karna and
कृपश्च – Kripa and
समितिञ्जयः – who is victorious and conqueror of enemies in war
अश्वत्थामा – Asvatthama
विकर्णश्च – Vikarna and
सौमदत्तिस्तथैव – son of Somadatta(Bhurisarva)
च – and
Widely Accepted Interpretations
- Since Duryodhana has already mentioned the prominent members of Pandav’s army, now he starts naming the prominent members of his own army.
- The warriors who are mentioned are as follows- Dronacharya, Bhishma, Karna, Kripacharya, Ashwatthama, Vikarna, Bhurisharva. They are also mentioned in the order of the roles in the Kaurav’s army.
- By naming the strong warriors in this own army, Duryodhana is trying to boost morale of the members of this own army. He knows that Karma and moral righteousness is in the side of Pandavs, so tries to assert the strength of his own army too.
- All the warriors mentioned had their own reason to fight with Kauravs due to their oaths, friendship, family ties etc. Bhishma was bound by oath. Karna choose to fight with Kauravs due to his friendship with them. Vikarna had a sense of justice but still chose to support his brothers. This shows complex loyalty and Dharma on the battlefield.