अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि। युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः।।1.4।।
Here are the heroes and mighty archers, comparable in war to Bhima and Arjuna: Yuyudhana, the king of Virata, and Drupada, the great warrior.
Translation
Duryodhana continued: Respected teacher! Here on the battlefield, there are many mighty warriors who are equal to Bhima and Arjuna in battle. These include Yuyudhana, the king of Virata, and Drupada, the great warrior.
Word Meanings
atra — here śūrāḥ — heroes mahā-iṣu-āsāḥ — mighty archers bhīma-arjuna — to Bhīma and Arjuna samāḥ — equal yudhi — in the fight yuyudhānaḥ — Yuyudhāna virāṭaḥ — Virata ca — also drupadaḥ — Drupada ca — also mahā-rathaḥ — great warrior
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Duryodhana highlights the presence of several formidable warriors in the Pandava army. He compares these warriors to Bhima and Arjuna, emphasizing their strength and prowess on the battlefield. Duryodhana knows that Bhima and Arjuna are powerful, and so he uses their names as benchmarks to measure the abilities of other key fighters in the Pandava army. Yuyudhana, also known as Satyaki, was a powerful warrior and a key ally of the Pandavas. He was the son of a noble Yadava warrior and had an exceptional skill in archery and combat. Virata, the king of the Virata kingdom, is another key warrior in the Pandava army. He was a great leader who played a pivotal role in sheltering the Pandavas during their exile and provided them with refuge. Drupada, the father of Dhristadyumna and Draupadi, is a mighty warrior who had once defeated Dronacharya in battle, which sparked his enmity with him. Drupada was also a significant figure in the Mahabharata and a formidable opponent. By listing these warriors, Duryodhana is acknowledging the strength of the Pandava forces and highlighting the fact that the Pandavas have several exceptional fighters. Duryodhana’s words convey both respect and concern, as he realizes that overcoming the Pandavas will not be an easy task, especially with such powerful warriors among them. This verse also reflects Duryodhana’s strategic thinking. He is not just concerned about the Pandava brothers, Bhima and Arjuna, but also recognizes the potential threat posed by their allies. In his mind, any one of these warriors could be the turning point in the war.
