In Bhagavad Gita 1.7, Duryodhana turns to his own side and tells Drona that he will now name the distinguished leaders of the Kaurava army.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये
तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम
नायका मम सैन्यस्य
संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ १-७ ॥
asmākaṃ tu viśiṣṭā ye
tānnibodha dvijottama
nāyakā mama sainyasya
saṃjñārthaṃ tānbravīmi te
English transliteration asmaakam tu vishishtaa ye
taannibodha dvijottama
naayakaa mama sainyasya
samjnaartham taanbraveemi te ॥ 1.7 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But know also, O best of the twice-born, the most distinguished among us, the leaders of my army. I name them for your information.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अस्माकम् asmākam | of ours |
| तु tu | but |
| विशिष्टाः viśiṣṭāḥ | the distinguished |
| ये ye | who |
| तान् tān | them |
| निबोध nibodha | know, take note |
| द्विजोत्तम dvijottama | O best of the twice-born (Droṇa) dvija (twice-born, brāhmaṇa) + uttama (best) |
| नायकाः nāyakāḥ | leaders |
| मम mama | my |
| सैन्यस्य sainyasya | of the army |
| संज्ञार्थम् saṃjñārtham | for information saṃjñā (knowledge, notice) + artham (for the sake of) |
| तान् tān | them |
| ब्रवीमि bravīmi | I speak |
| ते te | to you |
Word-wise Chanting
- as–mā–kaṃ tu vi–śiṣ–ṭā ye 8 syllables as-maa-kam tu vi-shish-taa ye
- tān–ni–bo–dha dvi–jot–ta–ma | 8 syllables taan-ni-bo-dha dvi-jot-ta-ma
- nā–ya–kā ma–ma sain–yas–ya 8 syllables naa-ya-kaa ma-ma sain-yas-ya
- saṃ–jñār–thaṃ tān–bra–vī–mi te || 1-7 8 syllables sam-jnaar-tham taan-bra-vee-mi te
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 7
Context
Having listed the Pandava heroes (1.4–1.6), Duryodhana now presents his own commanders (1.7–1.9).
Meaning
Duryodhana addresses Drona as “best of the twice-born,” a reminder that Drona is a brahmana who has taken up the warrior’s role. The courtesy is formal, but the purpose is practical: he wants Drona to feel the weight of his responsibility. There is no need to inform a teacher of men he has known all his life; the naming is meant to reassure Duryodhana himself.
We often recite our resources aloud when we doubt them. Duryodhana’s list is less a report than a ritual to quiet his own unease. The Gita invites us to notice how much of our speech serves to steady ourselves rather than to inform others, and to seek a steadiness that does not depend on such recitations.
In Practice
When you catch yourself listing your strengths or supports to someone, ask whether you are informing them or reassuring yourself.
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.