Duryodhana now shifts from the Pāṇḍava army to his own army. Until now, he has been listing the strong warriors on the Pāṇḍava side. Now he says, “Among us also there are important warriors. Know them.”

The word tu, “but,” marks this shift. After speaking about the Pāṇḍava strength, Duryodhana turns to the strength of the Kaurava side. His purpose is to compare the relative strength of both armies.

He addresses Droṇa as dvijottama, “O best among the twice-born,” meaning “O best among brāhmaṇas.” This is not an ordinary address here. Droṇa is a brāhmaṇa, but he is standing in a battlefield. A brāhmaṇa’s regular duties are study, teaching, worship, officiating in rituals, giving, and receiving gifts. Warfare properly belongs to a kṣatriya. So the word dvijottama brings attention to the unusual position of Droṇa: a brāhmaṇa and teacher of warfare, now standing in war.

At the same time, Duryodhana’s tone is also important. He says tān nibodha, “know them.” He is speaking to Droṇa, who is older, wiser, and the teacher of the warriors. Droṇa already knows the Kaurava leaders. Yet Duryodhana speaks as though he must point them out.

He says nāyakā mama sainyasya, “the leaders of my army.” The word mama, “my,” shows Duryodhana’s strong ownership. He is not speaking like a humble student before his ācārya. His words carry the feeling: “This is my army. I know its strength. Listen as I tell you.”

Then he says saṁjñārthaṁ tān bravīmi te, “I am mentioning them to you for your information.” Droṇa already knows them, but Duryodhana still enumerates them so that the relative strength of both armies may be considered.

This shloka therefore reveals Duryodhana’s mind more clearly. He is afraid because he has seen the strength of the Pāṇḍava side. But instead of showing fear openly, he speaks with control, pride, and ownership. He reminds Droṇa of his brāhmaṇa identity, says “know them,” calls the army “my army,” and begins to instruct his own teacher. Fear born of adharma often expresses itself like this — not as humility, but as the need to assert, control, and direct others.