1.3 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1, Verse 3

In verse 1.3 of the Bhagavad Gita, we witness Duryodhana addressing his teacher Drona on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, saying: "Respected teacher! Behold the mighty army of the sons of Pandu, so expertly arrayed for battle by your own gifted disciple, the son of Drupada."This verse marks the beginning of Duryodhana's nine-verse address to Drona, where he attempts to motivate and rouse the warriors on his side. The underlying context of this statement reveals Duryodhana's strategic manipulation. He deliberately mentions Dhrishtadyumna, the son of King Drupada, knowing the complex history between Drona and Drupada, which was marked by friendship that turned to enmity.The relationship between Drona and Drupada carries significant weight in this moment. Once childhood friends, they drifted apart when Drupada became king while Drona remained a poor Brahmin. When Drona later approached Drupada seeking help during a time of extreme poverty, Drupada humiliated him, claiming friendship could only exist between equals. This rejection deeply wounded Drona, who then went to Hastinapur to become the teacher of the royal princes. As payment for his teaching (guru-dakshina), Drona later asked his students to capture Drupada, which the Pandavas successfully accomplished.The humiliated Drupada subsequently performed a special fire sacrifice to obtain a son who would kill Drona. This son was Dhrishtadyumna. Remarkably, despite knowing Dhrishtadyumna was born to be his killer, Drona still trained him in martial arts, considering it his duty to teach a Kshatriya prince who posed no direct threat to the Hastinapur throne. Duryodhana now uses this fact to subtly criticize Drona's judgment, implying that his past decision has resulted in the formidable army now arranged against them.In this verse, we see Duryodhana's fear manifesting as sarcasm. His words appear to praise the Pandava army and Dhrishtadyumna's intelligence, but his intention is to subtly blame Drona for the current predicament. By pointing out that the army is "expertly arranged" by Drona's own disciple, Duryodhana attempts to generate conflict in Drona's mind and provoke him to fight with full intensity against the Pandavas, without showing any mercy due to his affection for them.The reference to the "great army" of the Pandavas also reveals Duryodhana's anxiety about facing his cousins in battle. The Pandava forces were arranged in a Vajra (thunderbolt) formation, with Bhima positioned at the front – a strategic arrangement that clearly concerned Duryodhana. His attempt to shift responsibility for the situation to Drona reflects his inability to acknowledge that the war is largely a consequence of his own actions and decisions.This verse illuminates the complex web of relationships and past actions that influence the present moment on the battlefield. Duryodhana, personifying quarrel and discord, seeks to manipulate these connections to his advantage, attempting to inflame Drona's emotions rather than accepting responsibility for his own role in bringing about the conflict. His apparent respect for his teacher is undermined by the manipulative intent behind his words, revealing how power and arrogance can erode gratitude and respect for those who have contributed to one's success and development.