Verse 1·2

Sanjaya Uvacha

dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṁ vyūḍhaṁ duryodhanastadā
ācāryamupasaṅgamya rājā vacanamabravīt (2)

Sanjaya said:

Seeing the army of the Pandavas arrayed in battle order, King Duryodhana then approached the Acharya (Drona) and spoke these words.

Duryodhana’s Diplomatic Speech

Sanjaya began to describe that first war-effort. Seeing the battle-array of the Pandava army Duryodhana approached Dronacharya. Why he went to Drona needs explanation. Bhishma is the commander-in-chief, the word of war should have been spoken to him, but the crooked-minded Duryodhana did not trust Bhishma. Bhishma is attached to the Pandavas, the leader of the peace party of Hastinapura; if the war were only between the Pandavas and the Dhartarashtras, Bhishma would never have taken up arms; but seeing the Kuru kingdom attacked by the Panchala nation, the ancient enemy and rival empire-seeker of the Kurus, the chief man of the Kuru race, warrior and politician, accepting the post of commander-in-chief, became determined to protect the honour and supremacy of his own race preserved by his own strength of arm till the end. Duryodhana himself is of Asuric nature, attraction and repulsion are the proof and cause of all his actions; therefore he is unable to understand the state of mind of the dutiful great man; he could never believe that this hard ascetic has the strength in his heart to slay even the Pandavas dear as life in the battlefield for the sake of duty. Even after trying his best to desist his own race from injustice and harm by expressing his own opinion at the time of patriotic counsel, once that injustice and harm is accepted by the people, he protects his own race and suppresses the enemy even in an unrighteous war; Bhishma had adopted that side. This feeling is also beyond Duryodhana’s comprehension. Therefore without going to Bhishma he remembered Drona. Drona is personally a great enemy of the Panchala king; Dhrishtadyumna, the prince of the Panchala country, is determined to kill Drona the teacher; that is to say, Duryodhana thought, if reminded of this personal enmity the teacher giving up the partiality for peace would fight with full enthusiasm. He did not say that clearly. He only mentioned the name of Dhrishtadyumna; after that to please Bhishma also he pointed him out as the protector of the Kuru kingdom and the hope of victory. First he mentioned the names of the chief warriors of the opponent, then mentioned the names of a few leaders of his own army, not all; the names of Drona and Bhishma are enough for the fulfilment of his design; but to hide that design he mentioned four or five other names. After that he said, “This army of mine is very huge, Bhishma is my commander-in-chief; the army of the Pandavas is relatively small, their hope of protection is the strength of Bhima; so why should we not win? However when Bhishma is our main hope, everyone should protect him from enemy attack. If he is there our victory is inevitable.” Many interpret the word “aparyaptam” in the opposite sense; that is not reasonable; Duryodhana’s army is relatively large; the leaders of that army are not inferior to anyone in prowess and heroism; why should the boastful Duryodhana condemn his own strength and create despair? Bhishma understanding Duryodhana’s state of mind and the secret purpose of his words roared like a lion and blew his conch to remove his doubt. Joy was produced in Duryodhana’s heart. He thought, my object is accomplished; Drona and Bhishma casting aside hesitation will fight.

CWSA 9 · Writings in Bengali and Sanskrit · Gitar Bhumika