97 - Bhagvat Gita Chapter 1 Shlok 8

Gita 1.8

भवान्भीष्मश्च  कर्णश्च  कृपश्च  समितिअन्जयः 

अश्वत्थामा  विकर्णश्च  सौम्दात्तिस्तथैव   च  (1.8)

Bhawaanbhishmashch Karnashch Kripashch Samitianjayaah

Ashwatthaamaa Vikarnashch Sowmdattistathaywo cha

भवान – आप  (द्रोणाचार्य); च  – और ; भीष्मः – पितामह भीष्म ; च  – तथा ; कर्णः – कर्ण;

च  – और; समितिअन्जयः – संग्राम  विजयी ; कृपः  – क्रिपाचार्य ; च  – तथा ; तथा  – वैसे ; एव – हि ; अश्वत्थामा  – अश्वत्थामा ; विकार्नः – विकर्ण ; च  – और ; सौम्दात्तिः  – सौमदत्त  का  पुत्र  भूरिश्रवा .

Bhawaan – Aap (Dronachaarya); Cha – Aur; Bhishmah – Pitamah Bhishm; Cha – Tatha; Karnah – Karna; Cha – Aur; Samitianjayah – Sangram Vijayi; Kripah – Kripaachaarya; Cha – Tatha; Tatha – Waise; Eo – Hi; Ashwatthaama – Ashwatthaama; Vikarnah – Vikarna; Cha – Aur; Saumdattih – Saumdatt ka Putra Bhurishrava.

Who are the stalwarts of the Kaurav army ?

Dronaacharya – Represents Revenge (Badle ki bhavna) . Seeking revenge against King Durpad

Pitamah Bhishm – Wishes, Desire (Icchaa - इच्छा). Icchaa Mrityu – The whole Kaurav army is defeated but Pitamah Bhishm (desire) is still alive. Desire is the last thing that leaves us prior to death.

Karna – Uccha Akansha, उच्च आकांशा  - Wanting to prove that he is the best archer, better than Arjun.

Kripa Acharye – Kripa also means pity. Feeling pity for someone less fortunate is great but asking to be pitied, asking for a favour by not speaking the truth. Being the Kul Guru he refused to speak the truth, did not say a word, when evil minded Kauravas were undressing Dropadi

Ashwatthaama – He represents Aashakti. An addiction, something you cannot live without. When Guru Dron (falsely) hears of Ashwatthama’s death he lays his weapons down and allows Dhristadhumna to slay him.

Vikarna – is Vikalpa meaning doubt, hesitation, not believing in the righteous way.

Saumdatti – Son of Saumdutt, Bhurishrava who represents Hatred & Revenge. Bhurishrava & Saatyaki’s parents had a fight over Devaki. When Saatyaki was invited to join the Pandava’s army, Bhurishrava joined the Kaurav’s army so he could avenge his father.

While every Shlok in Sri Bhagvat Gita is enlightening, this Shlok is particularly important in that it shows the importance of Karma. Janma (birth) is important in that it provides one with a platform to perform great deeds. Despite being born in a family with all the means of success, where one has easy access to knowledge from one’s already learned elders, it is the deeds (Karma) that will decide our destiny.  We see here that the great Purohits Dronaacharya and Kripaachaarya are both standing on the side of evil (Kauravs).

Similarly in RCM Balkand Doha 176 we hear about Ravan…

उपजे  जदपि  पुलस्त्य  कुल  पावन  अमल  अनूप 

तदपि  महीसुर  श्राप  बस  भय सकल  अघरूप (RCM 1/176)

Upaje jadapi Pulastya kul Paawan amal anoop

Tadapi Mahisur Shraap bas bhaye sakal aghroop

Despite being born in a great family with great ethics and teachings, due to the bad deeds of the previous life, Ravan becomes a Raakshas, an evil person.

Muskuraate Raho !

These are my personal notes and any anomalies in these attempted translations are not meant to confuse you, but an indication of a lack of knowledge on my part.

Please correct and use as you may see appropriate.

 

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