Following his introductory statement, Duryodhana immediately begins his roll call of champions in the eighth verse of the Bhagavad Gita, known as the Bhavan Bhishma Cha Karna Cha verse. This is the core of his speech to Dronacharya, where he lays out the formidable pillars of the Kaurava war machine. The Bhavan Bhishma Cha Karna Cha verse is designed to build a wall of confidence so high that the fears expressed just moments before seem insignificant.
Sanskrit Verse
भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः ।
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥ ८ ॥Transliteration
bhavānbhīṣmaśca karṇaśca kṛpaśca samitiñjayaḥ |
aśvatthāmā vikarṇaśca saumadattistathaiva ca || 8 ||Word for Word Translation
bhavān – yourself; bhīṣmaḥ – Bhishma; ca – and; karṇaḥ – Karna; ca – and; kṛpaḥ – Kripa; ca – and; samitiñjayaḥ – always victorious in battle; aśvatthāmā – Ashwatthama; vikarṇaḥ – Vikarna; ca – and; saumadattiḥ – the son of Somadatta (Bhurishrava); tathā eva ca – also as well.
English Translation
There are personalities like you, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, who is ever-victorious in battle, Ashwatthama, Vikarna, and also Saumadatti (Bhurishrava).
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Bhavan Bhishma Cha Karna Cha verse is a masterstroke of rhetoric. Duryodhana begins by naming Dronacharya himself (“Bhavan”), a clever act of flattery that places his teacher on the same level as the other legends. He then proceeds to list the key figures whose very names were synonymous with power:
- Bhishma: The grandsire of the Kuru dynasty and the supreme commander. An invincible warrior with a boon to choose his time of death, Bhishma’s presence alone was a guarantee of immense strength.
- Karna: Duryodhana’s most loyal friend and a warrior of divine ancestry whose skill in archery was legendary. Karna was Duryodhana’s answer to Arjuna, a counterforce of equal or greater power.
- Kripa: The royal teacher, a revered Brahmin warrior whose title “Samitinjayah” (always victorious) speaks for itself. His presence signified righteousness and unwavering success in battle. You can learn more about Kripacharya’s life and role.
- Ashwatthama: Dronacharya’s own son, a mighty warrior and a partial incarnation of Lord Shiva. Naming him was another tactical move to ensure Drona’s personal investment in the war was absolute.
- Vikarna and Saumadatti (Bhurishrava): Other powerful and loyal allies, showcasing the depth of the Kaurava alliances.
This is not just a list. The selection of names in the Bhavan Bhishma Cha Karna Cha verse is a strategic message. Duryodhana is reminding Drona of the unbeatable combination of experience (Bhishma), loyalty (Karna), skill (Kripa), and personal connection (Ashwatthama) that protects his throne.
Conclusion
The Bhavan Bhishma Cha Karna Cha verse teaches us about the power of association and reputation. In any challenge, leaders often draw strength by pointing to the powerful allies and team members who stand with them. Duryodhana is building his own morale by speaking the names of these legends, turning their collective reputation into a shield against his own fear.
This verse is a reminder that confidence is often built on the foundation of the strengths we see around us. Duryodhana’s reliance on these great warriors highlights a key theme in the Gita: the attachments and external powers we depend on. The Bhavan Bhishma Cha Karna Cha verse perfectly captures how we use the names of our champions to convince ourselves that we are invincible.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 9 – Anye Cha Bahavah Shura
