Duryodhana now begins listing the important warriors in his own army. In the previous shloka, he told Droṇācārya that he would mention the prominent leaders of “my army” for information. Now he gives that list.

He begins with bhavān, “your venerable self,” meaning Droṇa himself. This is not the name of a separate warrior. Duryodhana is speaking directly to Droṇa and places him first in the list.

At the surface level, this is respectful. Droṇa is his teacher and one of the greatest warriors on the Kaurava side. If Duryodhana were to list others first and leave Droṇa for later, Droṇa might feel insulted. Therefore Duryodhana begins with “you yourself.”

But the tone can also be heard more deeply. Droṇa is not an ordinary Kaurava warrior. He is the teacher of both the Pāṇḍavas and the Kauravas. He knows Arjuna’s greatness. He has affection and past connection with both sides. Therefore, when Duryodhana says bhavān, it can also sound like a subtle reminder: “You are with us. You are one of the leaders of my army. Do not forget your place on this side.” This fits the same anxious psychology already seen in Duryodhana’s words. He is afraid, and fear makes him want to secure and remind his own supporters.

Then he names Bhīṣma, the great grandsire and one of the most powerful warriors in the Kaurava army. Bhīṣma’s presence gives tremendous strength to Duryodhana’s side.

Next is Karṇa, another great warrior and Duryodhana’s close friend. Karṇa’s loyalty to Duryodhana is one of the major strengths of the Kaurava side.

Then Duryodhana names Kṛpa. The word samitiñjayaḥ qualifies Kṛpa. It is not a separate person. Samiti means battle or war, and jayaḥ means victorious. So samitiñjayaḥ means one who is victorious in battle. The meaning is: “Kṛpa, the ever-victorious in battle.”

He also names Aśvatthāmā, the son of Droṇa and a powerful warrior; Vikarṇa, Duryodhana’s brother; and Saumadatti, the son of Somadatta.

This shloka is still part of Duryodhana’s comparison of the two armies. After listing the Pāṇḍava warriors, he now lists his own powerful warriors. He is reassuring himself that his side also has strength. But the way he speaks still reveals pressure. By saying bhavān first, he both honors Droṇa and subtly holds him to the Kaurava side. Fear born of adharma often speaks in this way — not plainly as fear, but as careful control, possessiveness, and repeated securing of support.