Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 8

English Translation

(They are:) Your venerable self, Bhisma and Karna, and Krpa who is ever victorious in battle; Asvatthama, Vikarna, Saumadatti and Jayadratha.

Detailed Commentary

'Bhavān Bhīṣmaśca' – You and Grandsire Bhishma both are exceptional individuals. There is no one in this world equal to either of you. Should even one of you fight with full might, neither Devas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, nor humans could stand before you. The fame of your valor is renowned throughout the world. Grandsire Bhishma is an *ābāla brahmachārī* (one who has observed celibacy from childhood) and possesses *icchāmṛtyu* (the power of choosing his own death), meaning no one can slay him against his will. 'Karṇaśca' – Karna is exceedingly valorous. I am confident that he alone can conquer the Pandava army. Even Arjuna is nothing before him. That Karna, too, is on our side. 'Kṛpaśca samitiñjayaḥ' – Kripacharya is a *Chirañjīvi* (immortal being), our supreme well-wisher, and capable of conquering the Pandava army. Duryodhana had less faith in Kripacharya than in Karna, which is why he named Karna first. Lest Dronacharya and Bhishma perceive this as an insult to Kripacharya, Duryodhana attempted to appease him by bestowing the epithet 'Saṅgrāma-vijayī' (victorious in battle). 'Aśvatthāmā' – He is a *Chirañjīvi* and your son. He is a great warrior. He has learned the science of *astra-śastra* (weapons and missiles) from you and is adept in it. 'Vikarṇaśca Saumadattis tathaiva ca' – Do not think that only the Pandavas are righteous; on our side too, my brother Vikarna is highly righteous and valorous. Bhūriśravā, the grandson of Bāhlīka (brother of our great-grandfather Shantanu) and son of Somadatta, is also righteous. He has performed great *Yajñas* (sacrifices). He is a brave warrior and a *Mahārathī* (great chariot-warrior). Duryodhana's sentiment is that we possess mighty warriors like Acharya, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripacharya, such as are not present in the Pandava army. We have *Chirañjīvīs* like Kripacharya and Ashwatthama, whereas there is no one like them in the Pandava army. Our army also has no dearth of righteous individuals, hence there is no cause for fear.