Shloka 7, 8 & 9

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम

नायका मम सैन्यस्य सञ्ज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ll (श्लोका ७)

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः

अश्वथामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ll  (श्लोक ८)

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः

नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ll  (श्लोक ९)

Asmakam tu vishishtaye tannibodh dwijotaam

Naykaa mam sainyasya sangyaartham taanbravimi te ll (Shloka 7)

Bhawaanbhismasch karnasch kripasch samitinjayah

Ashwathama vikarnasch saumdattistathaiv cha ll (Shloka 8)

Anye cha bahvah shooraa madarthe tyaktjeevitaah

Nanashastrapraharnaah sarve yuddhvishaaradaah ll (Shloka 9)

Morphophonology (संधि - विच्छेद)

Asmakam tu vishishtaye tanni bodh dwij utaam

Naykaa mam sainyasya sangyaarth am taan bravi mi te ll (Shloka 7)

Bhawaan bhisma sch karna sch kripa sch samitinjayah

Ashwathama vikarna sch saumdat tistathaiv cha ll (Shloka 8)

Anye cha bahvah shooraa mad arthe tyakt jeevitaah

Nana Shastra prahar naah sarve yuddh vishaaradaah ll (Shloka 9)

Commentary

Duryodhana continued his analysis by telling Drona (the preceptor). Now that he has analysed the strength of Pandavas’ Army he has started analysing strength of his Army. This is a monologue of Duryodhana with Drona where he is now doing a comparative analysis.

Duryodhana says “Oh the supreme of the intellect or Oh the best of the twice born” (dwijotaam – dwij means Brahmin and Brahmin in turn here indicates the intellectual, person with knowledge. The other meaning of Dwij is a person who is born twice. Therefore, at some places dwijotaam for Drona is also used as “best of the twice born”. Twice born also refers to Brahmin. Twice born is a person who has gone through the Hindu Ceremony of Janeu- the thread ceremony. This word has come out of the Varna system of that time, which is quite different from the practices of the present time (Caste System). This is explained – “janmana Jayate shudrah sanskaaredwij uchyate” – Meaning, by birth everybody is shudra but it is deed of person by which one is called Dwij – Brahmin. The thread ceremony at that time was performed for those who did hold the qualities of Intellect and Sadgun)! I now tell you the main distinguished warriors of our army, so that you could know. (Shloka 7).

He further says (We have on our side) “Yourself (Drona), Bhisma, Karna, Kripa Victorious in Battles (samitinjayah, समितिञ्जयः), Ashwathama, Vikarna (One of Duryodhana’s brother) and the Son of Saumdutt/Somdutt (Bhurishrawa). (Shloka 8).

Apart from them are many valiant warriors who are ready to die for me (madarthe tyaktjeevitaah, मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः). They all are armed in many fold ways and they are all adepts of war (masters of war). (Shloka 9)