In Bhagavad Gita 1.17, the king of Kashi, Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata and the unconquered Satyaki join in sounding their conches.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः
शिखण्डी च महारथः
धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च
सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥ १-१७ ॥
kāśyaśca parameṣvāsaḥ
śikhaṇḍī ca mahārathaḥ
dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaśca
sātyakiścāparājitaḥ
English transliteration kaashyashcha parameshvaasah
shikhandee cha mahaarathah
dhrishtadyumno viraatashcha
saatyakishchaaparaajitah ॥ 1.17 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The king of Kashi, the supreme archer; Shikhandi, the great chariot-warrior; Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the unconquered Satyaki.
Verses 1.17–1.18 form one sentence: all these warriors blew their conches.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| काश्यः kāśyaḥ | the king of Kāśī |
| च ca | and |
| परमेष्वासः parameṣvāsaḥ | the supreme archer parama (supreme) + iṣvāsaḥ (bowman) |
| शिखण्डी śikhaṇḍī | Śikhaṇḍī |
| च ca | and |
| महारथः mahārathaḥ | the great chariot-warrior |
| धृष्टद्युम्नः dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ | Dhṛṣṭadyumna |
| विराटः virāṭaḥ | Virāṭa |
| च ca | and |
| सात्यकिः sātyakiḥ | Sātyaki |
| च ca | and |
| अपराजितः aparājitaḥ | unconquered |
Word-wise Chanting
- kāś–yaś–ca pa–ra–meṣ–vā–saḥ 8 syllables kaash-yash-cha pa-ra-mesh-vaa-sah
- śi–khaṇ–ḍī ca ma–hā–ra–thaḥ | 8 syllables shi-khan-dee cha ma-haa-ra-thah
- dhṛṣ–ṭad–yum–no vi–rā–ṭaś–ca 8 syllables dhrish-tad-yum-no vi-raa-tash-cha
- sāt–ya–kiś–cā–pa–rā–ji–taḥ || 1-17 8 syllables saat-ya-kish-chaa-pa-raa-ji-tah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 1 Verse 17
Context
Sanjaya continues naming the Pandava warriors who sound their conches; the sentence completes in 1.18.
Meaning
Each name points to a part in the story to come. Shikhandi will be the one before whom Bhishma lowers his weapons; Dhrishtadyumna, commander of the Pandava army, was born to face Drona; Virata gave the Pandavas shelter; Satyaki, called unconquered, remains loyal to Krishna to the end. The king of Kashi is again praised as a great archer.
The list moves like a roll call of destiny. Every person stands where their past choices and bonds have placed them. The Gita does not treat this as fate in a passive sense, but as the field in which each must now act. We too stand where our past has placed us, and the question is how we will act from here.
In Practice
Reflect on how your past choices have brought you to where you stand. Then ask what one choice now would best honour what is right.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.