In Bhagavad Gita 1.3, Duryodhana points out the great Pandava army to Drona, reminding him that it was arrayed by Drona’s own gifted disciple, the son of Drupada.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणाम्
आचार्य महतीं चमूम्
व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण
तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥ १-३ ॥
paśyaitāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇām
ācārya mahatīṃ camūm
vyūḍhāṃ drupadaputreṇa
tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā
English transliteration pashyaitaam paanduputraanaam
aachaarya mahateem chamoom
vyoodhaam drupadaputrena
tava shishyena dheemataa ॥ 1.3 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Behold, O teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by the son of Drupada, your own wise disciple.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| पश्य paśya | behold |
| एताम् etām | this |
| पाण्डुपुत्राणाम् pāṇḍuputrāṇām | of the sons of Pāṇḍu pāṇḍu (Pāṇḍu) + putrāṇām (of the sons) |
| आचार्य ācārya | O teacher |
| महतीम् mahatīm | great |
| चमूम् camūm | army |
| व्यूढाम् vyūḍhām | arrayed |
| द्रुपदपुत्रेण drupadaputreṇa | by the son of Drupada (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) drupada (King Drupada) + putreṇa (by the son) |
| तव tava | your |
| शिष्येण śiṣyeṇa | by the disciple |
| धीमता dhīmatā | wise, intelligent |
Word-wise Chanting
- paś–yai–tāṃ pāṇ–ḍu–put–rā–ṇām– 8 syllables pash-yai-taam paan-du-put-raa-naam-
- ā–cār–ya ma–ha–tīṃ ca–mūm | 8 syllables aa-chaar-ya ma-ha-teem cha-moom
- vyū–ḍhāṃ dru–pa–da–put–re–ṇa 8 syllables vyoo-dhaam dru-pa-da-put-re-na
- ta–va śiṣ–ye–ṇa dhī–ma–tā || 1-3 8 syllables ta-va shish-ye-na dhee-ma-taa
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 3
Context
Duryodhana has just approached Drona (1.2). This is the first of his words to the teacher, and it sets the tone of his long survey of both armies (1.3–1.11).
Meaning
Duryodhana’s words carry a sting. Dhrishtadyumna, son of Drupada, was born to slay Drona, yet Drona taught him the science of war. By calling him “your own wise disciple,” Duryodhana hints that the teacher’s generosity has armed the enemy, and that Drona must now fight with full resolve. It is flattery mixed with reproach, the speech of someone trying to control another person’s loyalty.
The verse shows how anxiety speaks: it praises the strength of the opponent, assigns blame and pushes others to act, all in one breath. The Gita does not condemn Duryodhana here; it simply shows him. Every reader knows this voice, the one that measures, compares and manipulates when it feels unsafe. Recognising it is the first step toward not being ruled by it.
In Practice
The next time you speak under pressure, listen for any hidden blame or flattery in your words, and say plainly what you actually need.
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.