Sanskrit Verse
धृष्ट-केतुश् चेकितानः काशि-राजश् च वीर्यवान् ।
पुरुजित् कुन्तिभोजश् च शैब्यश् च नर-पुङ्गवः ॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration
dhṛṣṭa-ketuś cekitānaḥ kāśi-rājaś ca vīryavān
purujit kuntibhojaś ca śaibyaś ca nara-puṅgavaḥ || 5 ||
Word for Word Translation
dhṛṣṭa-ketuḥ – Dhrishtaketu, cekitānaḥ – Cekitana, kāśirājaḥ – Kashi ke rājā, ca – aur, vīryavān – shaktishaali, purujit – Purujit, kuntibhojaḥ – Kuntibhoja, śaibyaḥ – Shaibya, nara-puṅgavaḥ – shreshth purush
English Translation
Also present are
Dhrishtaketu, Cekitana, the mighty King of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja
and the most valiant Shaibya heroes among men.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
In this Bhagavad Gita verse, Duryodhana keeps naming powerful warriors from the Pandava side but he is not praising them— he is warning his teacher, Dronacharya. He wants to make it clear that these men are not ordinary. They are brave kings and strong fighters who also share deep personal bonds with the Pandavas.
Let’s understand who they were:
Dhrishtaketu was the king of the Chedis and the son of Shishupala, who had once been Krishna’s enemy. But Dhrishtaketu chose to support the Pandavas and fight for the side of dharma. Later in the war, he was killed by Dronacharya.
CHekitana was a brave prince from the Yadava clan, the same family as Krishna. He was a commander in the Pandava army and was known for his courage. In the war, he was later killed by Duryodhana.
Kasiraja was the king of Kashi, today’s Varanasi. He was a strong warrior, said to be born from a part of a demon, but still fought on the side of truth and justice.
Purujit and Kuntibhoja were both uncles of the Pandavas— the brothers of Kunti. They were elder warriors who stood with the Pandavas out of love and duty. Sadly, both were later killed in battle.
Shaibya was Yudhishthira’s father-in-law. His daughter Devika was married to Yudhishthira. Shaibya was known for his bravery and noble character. That’s why Duryodhana calls him nara-pungava, meaning “the best among men.”
Conclusion
This Bhagavad Gita verse is more than just a list of warriors, it is a reminder that behind every battle, there are emotions, relationships, and untold stories. These men weren’t just fighters; they were fathers, uncles, friends and in-laws, standing up for what they believed in. Each name Duryodhana mentions carries a story of loyalty, sacrifice or past rivalry. He uses these stories not to praise them, but to push his teacher, Dronacharya, into action— emotionally and mentally.
In our own lives, we often face similar emotional battles. When challenges rise, we are not just fighting the situation but we are also carrying our past, our relationships, our pain and our responsibilities. This Bhagavad Gita verse shows us that strength doesn’t come only from power, it comes from standing up for what matters, even when it’s personal.
What past relationships or emotions have shaped the way you face your own battles today? Comment down. The Bhagavad Gita invites you to look within.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 1, Verse 6
