Bhagavad Geeta Verse 1.4-6: Who are these Warriors Duryodhana looks at?
- Kaustubh Shukla
- May 14
- 5 min read
Updated: May 15
The verses 1.4-6 from Bhagawad Geeta speak of a few warriors that had participated in Kurukshetra war from the side of Pandavas.
It is interesting to know who these characters were, their backstories, their role in the Kurukshetra war and hence why Duryodhana specifically mentions them to Dronacharya as being ‘Great Warriors’
Chapter 1, Verses 4–6
अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि ।
युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥ १.४ ॥
धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान् ।
पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥ १.५ ॥
युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान् ।
सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ॥ १.६ ॥
Meaning of the Verses: In this army (अत्र), there are heroes (शूराः), great archers (महेष्वासाः), equal to Bhima and Arjuna in battle (भीमार्जुनसमा युधि). Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada, the great chariot-warrior. Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, and the mighty King of Kashi. Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and the valiant king Shaibya. Yudhamanyu, the brave Uttamaujas, the son of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi — all are mighty chariot-warriors.
Let’s have a look at each of these warriors -
1. युयुधान (Satyaki)
Yuyudhana, better known as Satyaki, was a fierce warrior from the Yadava clan, the same lineage as Lord Krishna. He was a disciple of Arjuna and deeply loyal to both Krishna and the Pandavas. Known for his prowess with the bow, Satyaki played a crucial role in the Kurukshetra war and was one of the few surviving warriors at the end.
His notable feat includes his fight with Bhurishravas in a very controversial and dramatic duel.
The story of his fight with Bhurishravas and Arjuna’s controversial intervention in it marks a very dramatic point in the battle that raises question on Arjuna’s morality and Krishna’s role in it.
2. विराट (King Virata)
King Virata ruled over the Matsya kingdom.
He became a pivotal ally of the Pandavas when he unknowingly gave them shelter during their final year of exile. His trust and support solidified the Pandava alliance. His daughter, Uttara, married Abhimanyu, thus tying him directly to the Pandava lineage. Virata fought with valor in the war, alongside his sons.
Interestingly, Virata had offered to marry Uttara to Arjuna, but Arjuna declined the offer and married Abhimanyu to her.
Also, the sole surviving descendant of the Kuru dynasty would be the son of Abhimanyu & Uttara. Ashwatthama would attempt to kill this child while it is still in the womb. The related story is also worth reading.
3. द्रुपद (King Drupada)
Drupada was the king of Panchala and a key political and military supporter of the Pandavas.
Once a close friend of Drona, their relationship turned hostile, leading to a rivalry that shaped both their destinies. Drupada's daughter, Draupadi, was married to the five Pandavas, and his son Dhrishtadyumna was born to kill Drona.
Drupada met his end at Drona’s hands during the war, fulfilling a cycle of vengeance.
Bhagavad Geeta Verse 1.3 sheds some light on the complicated evolution of the relationship between Drona & Drupada. We shall make more videos and blogs on the same.
4. धृष्टकेतु
Dhrishtaketu was the valiant king of the Chedi kingdom and the son of Shishupala, a sworn enemy of Krishna. Despite his father’s hostility toward Krishna, Dhrishtaketu allied himself firmly with the Pandavas.
Why Krishna had killed Sisupala is again a long sequence of events that is worth looking at.
He fought bravely and was eventually slain by Dronacharya.
5. चेकितान (Chekitana)
Chekitana was a notable Yadava warrior and loyal follower of Krishna. He was one of the few from the Vrishni race to fight for the Pandavas. Renowned for his skill and steadfast loyalty, Chekitana was ultimately killed by Durmukha, a Kaurava warrior.
Why and how the Yadava clan was divided amongst the two sides of the war is a story worth reading.
6. काशिराज (King of Kashi)
The King of Kashi, famed for his martial skills and bravery, joined the Pandava side with great zeal. He was known for his valor and excellence in archery. He too fell in battle, slain by the formidable Dronacharya.
7. पुरुजित & 8. कुन्तिभोज
Purujit and Kuntibhoja were maternal uncles of the Pandavas, connected through Kunti. Both were respected warriors and led their own armies in support of the Pandava cause.
Despite their advanced age, they fought with great spirit and were eventually killed by Ashwatthama during his deadly night raid. Why and how Ashwatthama conducted this night raid that was considered immoral is what the Kurukshetra war is all about.
9. शैब्य (Shaibya)
Shaibya hailed from the renowned Shibi lineage and was revered as a righteous and brave king. In the Mahabharata, he is described as a "नरपुङ्गव" — the best among men. He stood for dharma and was honored for his character and valor. He too laid down his life on the battlefield, although the exact details of his death vary across texts.
10. युधामन्यु
Yudhamanyu was a young warrior assigned as a bodyguard to Yudhishthira. Trained in warfare, he fought courageously to protect his king and was ultimately killed during the night massacre carried out by Ashwatthama.
11. उत्तमौजास्
Like Yudhamanyu, Uttamaujas was another Panchala warrior tasked with defending Yudhishthira. Known for his bravery, he died in the same night ambush led by Ashwatthama.
12. सौभद्र (Abhimanyu)
Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, was among the most celebrated young warriors of his time. Despite being just sixteen, he entered the Chakravyuha formation fearlessly, though he only knew how to enter it and not exit. He was surrounded and killed by multiple Kaurava warriors, in what is considered one of the most unjust episodes of the war. His heroic sacrifice remains a symbol of youthful valor.
Although the slaying of Abhimanyu was one of the immoral acts from Kaurava side, it spiraled into many misdeeds from Pandavas in the battle.
13. द्रौपदेयाः (Sons of Draupadi)
The five sons of Draupadi — Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Shrutakirti, Shatanika, and Shrutasena — were born of the five Pandava brothers respectively. They fought on the battlefield as young warriors, representing the next generation of the Pandava lineage.
Tragically, they were all killed by Ashwatthama in his night attack, while they slept, mistaking them for the Pandavas. With their death, all the living descendents of the Pandavas had met their end leading to a potential end of the Kuru clan.
Duryodhana is not all pessimistic and two verses later he also acknowledges the great warriors present from his side.
Chapter 1, Verses 8
भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिंजयः ।
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥ ८ ॥
We will look at who these people were in another Blog Post
And in yet another verse of Bhagavad Geeta, we see a list of people who participated in the war, but this time, from the perspective of Arjuna
Chapter 1, Verses 26
तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान्।
आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा।
श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि ॥ २६ ॥
We will look at those people in our upcoming blog!
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