अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि
युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथ: || 4||
धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितान: काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान् |
पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गव: || 5||
युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान् |
सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथा: || 6||
atra śhūrā maheṣhvāsā bhīmārjuna-samā yudhi
yuyudhāno virāṭaśhcha drupadaśhcha mahā-rathaḥ
dhṛiṣhṭaketuśhchekitānaḥ kāśhirājaśhcha vīryavān
purujit kuntibhojaśhcha śhaibyaśhcha nara-puṅgavaḥ
yudhāmanyuśhcha vikrānta uttamaujāśhcha vīryavān
saubhadro draupadeyāśhcha sarva eva mahā-rathāḥ
English Translation : Behold in their ranks are many powerful warriors, like Yuyudhan, Virat, and Drupad, wielding mighty bows and equal in military prowess to Bheem and Arjun. There are also accomplished heroes like Dhrishtaketu, Chekitan, the gallant King of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoj, and Shaibya—all the best of men. In their ranks, they also have the courageous Yudhamanyu, the gallant Uttamauja, the son of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi, who are all great warrior chiefs.
The Battlefield Anxiety of Duryodhana
As Duryodhana surveyed the vast Pandava army stretching before him, his heart pounded with dread. The sheer scale of the forces arrayed against him felt overwhelming and his mind played tricks, making the opposition seem even larger and more formidable than reality.
He had not anticipated his cunning cousins and their allies would be capable of amassing such a powerful military force. Steeling his nerves, Duryodhana began mentally running through the names of the great warriors under the Pandava banner. One by one, he recognized legends whose martial skills and bravery struck fear into his core.
There was Drupada, the mighty king whose grievance had given rise to this entire kharmayuddha. The hot-headed but unmatched Dhrishtadyumna led the forces, a protege of Duryodhana’s own mentor yet fated to slay him. Veteran Virata Raja had thrown in his lot with the Pandavas, as had the unrelenting Drupada, both men consumed by anger at past humiliations.
Formidable chieftains and champions from across the realm had rallied behind Duryodhana’s cousins – the famed Sikhandi, blessed by Stree-Shakthi herself; the mighty Satyaki, as skilled with blade as wisdom; young Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son and a peerless warrior in his own right.
Duryodhana felt his courage waver as he reflected on these great mahārathīs, warriors of astounding valor and prowess, each a terrible force to be reckoned with even alone. Yet here they all stood, united against the Kauravas, an unthinkable fauj of devastating power and skill. The wicked Suyodhana had gravely misjudged the strength and resolve of his enemies. As trepidation gripped him, the vain prince could not mask his fear from those around him. Steadying his quaking voice, Duryodhana began naming aloud the Pandava heroes, as if giving voice to his dread would make the danger seem more manageable.
2 Comments