Shlokas 7-10.Chapter 1

Inspiring Teams: Learning from the Past

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम |

नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते || (7.1)

asmākaṁ tu viśiṣṭā ye tān nibodha dvijottama |

nāyakā mama sainyasya saṁjñārthaṁ tān bravīmi te || (7.1)

But let me tell you, O best of the Brahmanas, about the notable leaders of our army, who are especially qualified to lead.

Duryodhana has just listed the key warriors on the Pandava side, expressing his concerns about their strength. He then turns to acknowledge the formidable fighters on his own side, attempting to boost the morale of his own troops and reassure his commander Dronacharya.

Duryodhana addresses Dronacharya respectfully, calling him 'best of the Brahmanas,' and proceeds to list the distinguished warriors in his own army. This introduction sets the stage for him to name the key fighters, underscoring their importance and valor.

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः |

अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च || (8.1)

bhavān bhīṣmaś ca karṇaś ca kṛpaś ca samitiñjayaḥ |

aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca saumadattis tathaiva ca || (8.1)

Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa who is ever victorious in battle, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and also the son of Somadatta.

Duryodhana names several key warriors, starting with Dronacharya himself, and including Bhishma (the grandsire and formidable warrior), Karna (a powerful ally and rival to Arjuna), Kripa (an invincible warrior), Ashvatthama (Drona's son), Vikarna (one of Duryodhana's brothers), and the son of Somadatta (Bhurishravas). This list highlights the strength and expertise of the Kaurava army's leaders.

अनेकशः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः |

नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः || (9.1)

anekaśaḥ śūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ |

nānāśastra-praharaṇāḥ sarve yuddha-viśāradāḥ || (9.1)

There are many other heroes who are prepared to give up their lives for my sake, all of them skilled in various weapons and experienced in warfare.

Duryodhana emphasizes that his army is not only composed of the leaders he named but also includes numerous other heroes who are ready to sacrifice their lives for him. These warriors are proficient in diverse weapons and are experts in the art of war, showcasing the depth and dedication of his forces.

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् |

पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् || (10.1)

aparyāptaṁ tadasmākaṁ balaṁ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam |

paryāptaṁ tvidameteṣāṁ balaṁ bhīmābhirakṣitam || (10.1)

Our strength is immeasurable and we are perfectly protected by Bhishma, whereas the strength of the Pandavas, protected by Bhima, is limited.

Duryodhana contrasts the strengths of the two armies. He claims that the Kaurava army, protected by Bhishma, is limitless and invincible. In contrast, he considers the strength of the Pandava army, guarded by Bhima, to be finite. This statement is meant to inspire confidence among his troops while subtly acknowledging the formidable nature of Bhima and the Pandava warriors.

Today's context - An inter-university competition

In the midst of the prestigious inter-university robotics competition, tension was palpable among the students of TechU. As the team leader, Siddharth noticed the creeping anxiety that threatened their performance. Drawing inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita, he decided to bolster the team’s morale by recognizing their unique strengths and contrasting them with their competitors' limitations.

Gathering his teammates in the preparation room, Siddharth began, 'Before the great battle, Duryodhana uplifted his warriors by acknowledging their strengths and comparing them to their opponents. Today, I want to do the same for us.'

He turned to Aditi, the programming genius. 'Aditi, your coding expertise has been our backbone. Your algorithms are the heart of our robot. The other teams don’t have a coder who can match your level.'

Next, he addressed Rohan, the mechanical wizard. 'Rohan, your engineering skills have ensured that our robot's movements are precise and flawless. You’ve brought our ideas to life. Our competitors’ designs can’t compete with your craftsmanship.'

'Saina,' he continued, looking at the data analyst, 'your meticulous data processing has fine-tuned our robot's responses. Your attention to detail has given us an edge that the other teams lack.'

'And Meera,' he said to the strategist, 'your planning and strategic insights have guided our approach, ensuring we're prepared for every challenge. The other teams don’t have someone with your foresight and strategic mind.'

By the end of his acknowledgments, the atmosphere in the room had shifted. The team, previously beset by nerves, now felt a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. They were reminded of their collective strength and the limited capabilities of their competitors. Siddharth's recognition of their unique skills had reignited their determination, much like Duryodhana’s words had emboldened his warriors.

Key Takeaways

• Recognition of Individual Strengths: Siddharth's acknowledgment of each team member's unique skills highlights the importance of recognizing and appreciating individual contributions within a team.
• Contrasting Strengths with Competitors' Limitations: By highlighting the team's strengths and contrasting them with the perceived limitations of their competitors, Siddharth instills confidence in his team while also fostering a strategic mindset.
• Boosting Morale and Confidence: Siddharth's recognition of his team members' abilities helps boost morale and confidence, creating a sense of unity and purpose among the group.
• Renewed Determination: The team's renewed sense of purpose and determination following Siddharth's acknowledgments underscores the power of effective leadership and encouragement in driving success.

Knowledge Bank

How did Abhinav Bharat support the Swadeshi movement?

Abhinav Bharat supported the Swadeshi movement by promoting the boycott of foreign goods and encouraging the use of Indian-made products as a form of economic resistance against British rule.

When is Angarki Chaturthy 2025 ?

Angarki Chaturthi in 2025 is on August 12, 2025.