In Bhagavad Gita 1.8, Duryodhana names the chief warriors on his side: Drona himself, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, Ashvatthama, Vikarna and the son of Somadatta.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च
कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च
सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥ १-८ ॥
bhavānbhīṣmaśca karṇaśca
kṛpaśca samitiñjayaḥ
aśvatthāmā vikarṇaśca
saumadattistathaiva ca
English transliteration bhavaanbheeshmashcha karnashcha
kripashcha samitinjayah
ashvatthaamaa vikarnashcha
saumadattistathaiva cha ॥ 1.8 ॥
Variant reading: सौमदत्तिर्जयद्रथः
Translation / Meaning
Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa, ever victorious in battle; Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and likewise the son of Somadatta.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| भवान् bhavān | yourself |
| भीष्मः bhīṣmaḥ | Bhīṣma |
| च ca | and |
| कर्णः karṇaḥ | Karṇa |
| च ca | and |
| कृपः kṛpaḥ | Kṛpa |
| च ca | and |
| समितिञ्जयः samitiñjayaḥ | victorious in battle samiti (battle) + jayaḥ (conquering) |
| अश्वत्थामा aśvatthāmā | Aśvatthāmā |
| विकर्णः vikarṇaḥ | Vikarṇa |
| च ca | and |
| सौमदत्तिः saumadattiḥ | the son of Somadatta (Bhūriśravā) |
| तथा tathā | likewise |
| एव eva | indeed |
| च ca | and |
Word-wise Chanting
- bha–vān–bhīṣ–maś–ca kar–ṇaś–ca 8 syllables bha-vaan-bheesh-mash-cha kar-nash-cha
- kṛ–paś–ca sa–mi–tiñ–ja–yaḥ | 8 syllables kri-pash-cha sa-mi-tin-ja-yah
- aś–vat–thā–mā vi–kar–ṇaś–ca 8 syllables ash-vat-thaa-maa vi-kar-nash-cha
- sau–ma–dat–tis–ta–thai–va ca || 1-8 8 syllables sau-ma-dat-tis-ta-thai-va cha
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 8
Context
Duryodhana now lists the leaders of his own army, as he promised in 1.7.
Meaning
Duryodhana names Drona first, then Bhishma, the grand old commander, and Karna, his closest friend and Arjuna’s great rival. Kripa was the family preceptor, Ashvatthama was Drona’s son, Vikarna a brother of Duryodhana who would later be known for his sense of justice, and the son of Somadatta was Bhurishravas, a renowned warrior. A variant reading mentions Jayadratha in place of the closing words.
It is telling that the greatest of these warriors, Bhishma and Drona, fight for Duryodhana out of duty and obligation rather than conviction. They know the Pandava cause is just. Their presence on the wrong side is one of the Gita’s quiet tragedies: loyalty to position can bind even the wise to a course they do not believe in.
In Practice
Examine one commitment you keep only out of obligation. Ask whether it still serves what is right, and what honest step you could take.
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.