**1.8** You (Dronacharya) and grandsire Bhishma, as well as Karna and the ever-victorious in battle, Kripa, and likewise Ashwatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta, Bhurishrava.
**Commentary:** 'You and Bhishma' – Both you and grandsire Bhishma are most exceptional men. There is no third in this world equal to you two. If even one of you two were to fight with your full might, there is none among gods, yakshas, rakshasas, humans, etc., who could stand before you. The prowess of you both is renowned throughout the world. Grandsire Bhishma is a lifelong celibate and one who can die at will, meaning none can slay him without his own consent.
[In the Mahabharata war, Dronacharya was slain by Dhrishtadyumna, and grandsire Bhishma himself relinquished his life at will when the sun entered the northern solstice.]
'And Karna' – Karna is a mighty warrior indeed. I have such faith that he alone can achieve victory over the Pandava army. Even Arjuna can do nothing before him. Such a Karna too is on our side.
[Karna was slain by Arjuna in the Mahabharata war.]
'And Kripa, the ever-victorious in battle' – What need be said of Kripa! He is immortal, our supreme well-wisher! And he can achieve victory over the entire Pandava army. Although here, after Dronacharya and Bhishma, Duryodhana should have taken Kripa's name next; but Duryodhana did not have as much faith in Kripa as he had in Karna. Therefore, Karna's name involuntarily came out in between. Lest Dronacharya and Bhishma think he is disrespecting Kripa, Duryodhana wishes to please him by giving him the epithet 'ever-victorious in battle'.
'Ashwatthama' – He too is immortal and is your own son. He is a great warrior. He has learned the science of weapons from you alone. He is highly skilled in the art of weaponry.
'And Vikarna and the son of Somadatta, likewise' – Do not think that only the Pandavas are righteous. In our faction too, my brother Vikarna is highly righteous and valiant. Similarly, Bhurishrava, the grandson of our great-grandfather Shantanu's brother Bahlik and the son of Somadatta, is also highly righteous. He has performed many great sacrifices with abundant gifts. He is a great warrior and a mighty chariot-warrior.
[In the war, Vikarna was slain by Bhima and Bhurishrava by Satyaki.]
In naming these heroes here, Duryodhana's sentiment appears to be this: O Acharya! In our army, we have great and mighty warriors like you, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, etc., such as are not seen in the Pandavas' army. In our army are two immortals – Kripa and Ashwatthama – while in the Pandavas' army there is not even one such. Our army is not lacking in righteous men either. Therefore, there is no reason for us to fear.
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