The great archer from Kashi, Shikhandi the great warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and invincible Satyaki.
— Sanjaya
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Bhagavad Gita · 1.17
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे राजन् श्रेष्ठ धनुषवाले काशिराज और महारथी शिखण्डी तथा धृष्टद्युम्न एवं राजा विराट और अजेय सात्यकि, राजा द्रुपद और द्रौपदी के पाँचों पुत्र तथा लम्बीलम्बी भुजाओंवाले सुभद्रापुत्र अभिमन्यु इन सभी ने सब ओर से अलगअलग अपनेअपने शंख बजाये ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
काशीःthe king of Kashiचandपरमेष्वासःsupreme archerशिखण्डीShikhandiचandमहारथःgreat warriorधृष्टद्युम्नःDhrishtadyumnaविराटःVirataचandसात्यकिःSatyakiचandअपराजितःinvincible
Read literallythe king of Kashi · and · supreme archer · Shikhandi · and · great warrior · Dhrishtadyumna · Virata · and · Satyaki · and · invincible
Understanding the verse
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It shifts attention from strategy to resolve: the side has chosen itself, and action is about to begin.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
This is a battlefield roll call. More warriors on the Pandava side blow their conches before the war begins.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, the Pandava allies answer the Kaurava conches with their own. Sanjaya lists more warriors as each one blows a conch, sharpening the moment before battle into a final, audible commitment.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
A room goes quiet before the announcement. One by one, the people who will stand with you are named, and the moment stops being theoretical.
The takeaway
“The scene builds tension: the war is no longer abstract; every name makes the confrontation real.”
It shifts attention from strategy to resolve: the side has chosen itself, and action is about to begin.
What this verse means
This is a battlefield roll call. More warriors on the Pandava side blow their conches before the war begins.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, the Pandava allies answer the Kaurava conches with their own. Sanjaya lists more warriors as each one blows a conch, sharpening the moment before battle into a final, audible commitment.
Why this verse still matters
A room goes quiet before the announcement. One by one, the people who will stand with you are named, and the moment stops being theoretical.
“The scene builds tension: the war is no longer abstract; every name makes the confrontation real.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), sanjaya (16 verses)