Gita 01.07 – Be aware of how what we say to one person may be heard by others

 

Audio Link 2 – Gita 01.07 Be aware of how what we say to one person may be heard by others – The Spiritual Scientist

 

asmākaṁ tu viśiṣṭā ye

tān nibodha dvijottama

nāyakā mama sainyasya

saṁjñārthaṁ tān bravīmi te

 

Word-for-Word:

asmākam — our; tu — but; viśiṣṭāḥ — especially powerful; ye — who; tān — them; nibodha — just take note of, be informed; dvija-uttama — O best of the brāhmaṇas; nāyakāḥ — captains; mama — my; sainyasya — of the soldiers; saṁjñā-artham — for information; tān — them; bravīmi — I am speaking; te — to you.

 

Translation:

But for your information, O best of the brāhmaṇas, let me tell you about the captains who are especially qualified to lead my military force.

 

As Duryodhana speaks to Drona about the opposing forces to incite him, he recognizes that his words are spoken in public and being heard by others as well. In situations where someone speaks to us, especially if they are known to be diplomatic or political, we pay attention not just to the literal meaning of their words but also to the implied meaning. Duryodhana realizes that having spoken about the enemy’s strength, he might have inadvertently suggested to his own forces that their enemies were too powerful. This realization reflects his initial reaction to the strength of the Pandavas’ military formation, which clearly leaves him shaken. The second verse of the Gita indicates this, showing that as soon as Duryodhana saw the Pandavas’ military formation, he felt compelled to personally approach Drona and voice his concerns.

 

To understand this better, we can compare the war to a cricket match. When one team sees the other, they immediately start thinking about the opponent’s strategy. For example, if the batting team notices that the opposing team has set up an attacking fielding pattern, it indicates a particular strategy, prompting the batsmen to plan and strategize accordingly. Similarly, Duryodhana talks to Drona after seeing the Pandavas’ military formation. At the same time, he doesn’t want his soldiers to feel disheartened, thinking he is alarmed by the enemy’s strength.

 

Duryodhana then mentions that he will speak about the heroes on his side. He notes that there are many heroes, but he will highlight only a few, asking Drona to take note of them. Interestingly, the main warriors Duryodhana mentions are already well known to each other. This situation is unlike a cricket team where there might be surprise selections among the players and the final eleven are not known until the team actually come on the field. In the context of the Kurukshetra war, the main warriors on both sides were already known. Both the Pandavas and the Kauravas had endeavoured to form various alliances, trying to secure the support of different kings. Hence, everyone knew who was fighting on which side.

 

Given that Drona already knows these warriors, Duryodhana’s listing might seem redundant. Most of them were trained by Drona himself, who had a famous gurukul where princes from far and wide came to learn. Despite the fact that some warriors were from an older generation and some from a much younger generation, they all shared the common experience of being Drona’s students.

 

Hence, Duryodhana’s information, at one level, might seem unnecessary since all the warriors were known to Drona. However, Duryodhana is not just speaking to Drona; he is aware that others are also listening. By listing the warriors, he aims to reassure his own forces and allay any concerns they might have. Generally, when we speak, even if it is to one person, we must consider that others might overhear. There is a famous saying that “even walls have ears” and can transmit the sound to others. This awareness means we need to be circumspect about what we say, not just focusing on the direct recipient of our words but also considering the broader audience and the potential consequences of our words. This requires a balancing act. For instance, if we speak critically about one person or favourably about one side, to avoid appearing biased, we should also provide a balanced perspective by saying something from the other side.

 

Now, Duryodhana is trying to achieve such a balance. Initially, he instinctively, impulsively and involuntarily expressed concern about the Pandavas’ army, using this concern to incite Drona by directing his attention towards Drupada and those related to Drupada on the opposing side. However, Duryodhana now wants to reassure his soldiers and ensure their morale remains strong. In a war, victory or defeat is not determined solely by who is stronger but also by who is more perseverant and determined. A discouraged soldier is unlikely to go the extra mile and might even quit prematurely. Duryodhana wants to prevent this; so, he speaks not just to Drona but to all his warriors, emphasizing his confidence in them. The list of warriors will be elaborated in the future verses. Thank you.