How strong were Kauravas?
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 1 Verses 9, 10, & 11 Explained
Translation:
Duryodhan speaks to Drona:
Then there are many other brave warriors who are willing to lay their life for me. They are armed with weapons & are experts in warfare.
Duryodhan speaks to Drona:
Our military power is unlimited as it is under the leadership of Bhishma. But the Pandava’s military might under Bhima is limited.
Duryodhan then speaks to his generals:
You all should support Bhishma on all strategic lines while holding your military fronts.
Commentary:
Duryodhana was surprised and impressed at looking at the Pandava army formation. He started teasing Drona as his student Dhriyadhummna was indeed the Commander of Pandava’s army and is also destined to kill Drona. While Duryodhan is teasing Drona, he realises that his own commanders may take this praise as a sign of the opposition’s strength. So Duryodhana starts narrating about the might of his own army by naming many warriors fighting for Kauravas, while still talking to Drona.
However, the reality is that Duryodhana is trying to convince himself, more than anyone else, that his army is also strong and capable to defeat the impressive Pandava army.
He ends his narration by highlighting that Bhishma is the commander-in-chief of the army and everyone army leader needs to support him in the war, without any questions. He does this to highlight Bhishma’s authority after praising many of his warriors.
