The divine symphony of the Pandavas’ war cry continues in the seventeenth and eighteenth verses of the Bhagavad Gita. The verse known as Kashyash Cha Parameshvasah begins the roll call of the powerful allies who have joined the Pandava cause. The Kashyash Cha Parameshvasah verse demonstrates that the Pandavas’ strength lies not only in their own family but in a wide network of righteous kings and warriors.
Sanskrit Verse
काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः ।
धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥ १७ ॥Transliteration
kāśyaśca parameṣvāsaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca mahārathaḥ |
dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaśca sātyakiścāparājitaḥ || 17 ||Word for Word Translation
kāśyaḥ – the King of Kashi (Varanasi); ca – and; parama-iṣu-āsaḥ – the great archer; śikhaṇḍī – Shikhandi; ca – also; mahārathaḥ – a great warrior (who can fight single-handedly against thousands); dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ – Dhrishtadyumna; virāṭaḥ – Virata; ca – and; sātyakiḥ – Satyaki; ca – also; aparājitaḥ – who had never been vanquished.
English Translation
The King of Kashi, a great archer, and the great warrior Shikhandi, along with Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the unconquerable Satyaki also blew their conches.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Kashyash Cha Parameshvasah verse introduces some of the most critical commanders in the Pandava army, each a powerhouse in their own right.
- The King of Kashi: A powerful king and a master archer, his allegiance shows the political support the Pandavas commanded.
- Shikhandi: A key figure in the war, Shikhandi was born to bring about the downfall of Bhishma, making their presence on the battlefield an omen of Bhishma’s fate.
- Dhrishtadyumna: The commander-in-chief of the Pandava army and the brother of Draupadi. Born from a sacrificial fire with the purpose of killing Drona, Dhrishtadyumna is a central and formidable character.
- Virata: The king who gave the Pandavas shelter during their year of hiding. His participation, along with his sons, shows his deep loyalty and personal connection to their cause.
- Satyaki: A mighty Vrishni hero from the same clan as Krishna and a student of Arjuna. Described as “Aparajitah” (unconquerable), Satyaki was a warrior of immense skill and unwavering loyalty.
The systematic naming in the Kashyash Cha Parameshvasah verse continues to build a picture of an army that is not just powerful, but also has deep bonds of loyalty, family, and shared history.
Conclusion
The Kashyash Cha Parameshvasah verse teaches an important lesson about the power of alliances and shared purpose. The Pandavas are not fighting alone; they are supported by a network of powerful friends who believe in their cause. This adds a different dimension to their strength—it’s not just their own power, but the collective power of all who stand for Dharma.
This verse reminds us that in our own struggles, the strength of our alliances and the support of our community are invaluable. The symphony of conches in the Kashyash Cha Parameshvasah verse is the sound of unity. It shows that a cause becomes truly formidable when it is supported by many different heroes, all united by a common, righteous goal.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 18 – Drupado Draupadeyash Cha
