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Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 1, Verse 2

सञ्जय उवाच ।
दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा ।
आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ।। 2।।

sañjaya uvācha
d
ihvā tu pāṇḍavānīka vyūha duryodhanastadā
āchāryamupasagamya rājā vachanamabravīt

English Translation  : Sanjay said: On observing the Pandava army standing in military formation, King Duryodhan approached his teacher Dronacharya, and said the following words.

The Anxiety of Duryodhana on the Battlefield

As the two mighty armies stood ready for the epic Kurukshetra war, tensions were high on both sides. Sanjaya, minister of the blind King Dhritarashtra, narrated the scene unfolding before his eyes. He described to the king how the Pandava forces had taken a powerful battle formation, signaling their readiness for the impending clash.

Sanjaya then turned his narration to Duryodhana, the eldest son of Dhritarashtra and the de facto ruler of Hastinapur kingdom. Though outwardly brash and arrogant, the sight of the Pandavas’ formidable military strength shook Duryodhana’s confidence. This was the man who since childhood had harbored jealousy and animosity towards the Pandava princes, repeatedly making attempts to humiliate and defeat them. His singular goal was to reign over the entire Kuru kingdom unchallenged.

Yet when faced with the reality of the Pandavas’ might that day, Duryodhana’s hubris faltered. Realizing he had underestimated his rivals, a wave of anxiety overcame him. In a move belying his bravado, Duryodhana approached his mentor Dronacharya, ostensibly to pay respects. However, his intent was more self-serving – to seek reassurance and soothe his frayed nerves before the battle commenced.

The verses that follow capture Duryodhana’s expressions of worry and fear…

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