Having pointed out the Pandava army, Duryodhana now begins to name names. The fourth verse, known as the Atra Shura Maheshvasa verse, starts his detailed and pointed list of the enemy commanders. Each name is chosen deliberately, not just to inform, but to act as a verbal needle, pricking the pride and painful memories of his teacher, Dronacharya. The Atra Shura Maheshvasa verse is where the psychological attack gets personal.
Sanskrit Verse
अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि ।
युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration
atra śūrā maheṣvāsā bhīmārjunasamā yudhi |
yuyudhāno virāṭaśca drupadaśca mahārathaḥ || 4 ||
Word for Word Translation
atra – here; śūrāḥ – heroes; mahā-iṣu-āsāḥ – mighty archers; bhīma-arjuna-samāḥ – equal to Bhima and Arjuna; yudhi – in the fight; yuyudhānaḥ – Yuyudhana (Satyaki); virāṭaḥ – Virata; ca – and; drupadaḥ – Drupada; ca – also; mahārathaḥ – great chariot-fighter.

English Translation
Here in this army are many heroic bowmen, equal in fighting to Bhima and Arjuna: great fighters like Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Atra Shura Maheshvasa verse is Duryodhana’s attempt to quantify the threat, and his comparisons are intentionally inflammatory. He declares that there are warriors on the other side who are “bhīmārjuna-samāḥ”—equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna, the most feared of the Pandava brothers. This is an incredible statement meant to sound the alarm. He then names three specific examples:
- Yuyudhana (Satyaki): A powerful Yadava warrior, intensely loyal to the Pandavas and a student of Arjuna. His presence signifies the full support of the mighty Yadava clan.
- Virata: The king of Matsya, who provided the Pandavas with refuge during their final year of exile. His presence shows the deep bonds of loyalty the Pandavas have forged.
- Drupada: The King of Panchala. Duryodhana saves the most painful name for last. Drupada was Drona’s childhood friend, turned bitter, sworn enemy.
By naming Satyaki and Virata, he highlights their strength. But by naming his teacher’s greatest rival and calling him a “maharathah” (a great commander) equal to Arjuna, he is twisting the knife. He is forcing Drona to acknowledge the power of the man who hates him most. The entire purpose of the Atra Shura Maheshvasa verse is to make the conflict deeply personal for Drona.
Conclusion
The Atra Shura Maheshvasa verse teaches a subtle lesson about motivation and manipulation. Duryodhana is demonstrating how a leader can use an enemy’s strength to fuel their own side’s resolve. He is essentially saying, “Look how powerful they are. You must fight with all your might.” It’s a tactic that can be effective, but it is born of fear, not of confidence.
In our own lives, we sometimes see this tactic used. A manager might praise a rival company’s success to motivate their team, or a coach might highlight an opponent’s star player. The Atra Shura Maheshvasa verse reminds us to be aware of such motivations. It shows how the act of praising an opponent can be a double-edged sword: a genuine sign of respect on one hand, and a sharp tool of provocation on the other.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 5 – Dhrishtaketu Chekitanah