The Paperback Gita Novel, 1.4-10

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You all know the strength of Bheem and Arjun," Duryodhan continued, "but there

are many others no less than they whom we must conquer, like mighty Yuyudhan,

Virat, and Drupad! There is also Dhrishtaketu, Cekitana, and the mighty king

of Kasi… and heroic Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Saibya… and bold Yudhamanyu,

powerful

Uttamaujas, Subhadra's son, and the sons of Draupadi - all of them exalted

warriors.

( 4-6 )

 

"But…" A carefully drawn pause then enveloped the army, "I shall now inform

you,

dear teacher, of our own strength."

 

A disciple "informing" his guru? No diplomacy could be opaque enough to veil

the brilliant ego shining in Duryodhan's words, "I shall now inform you about

my mighty captains."

 

An army, its captains, and its soldiers belong to the nation, or perhaps to the

 

king. Prince Duryodhan was neither the nation nor its king. What right had he

to say "My soldiers"? "My captains"? "My army"? His choice of words illustrated

 

how ego hungers to consume identities and submerse them in one's own ambitions.

 

( 7 )

 

"Your good self, Gurudev, heads the list of our great warriors. Then there are

Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa. Your mighty son Ashvattama is also on our side, as

is my brother Vikarna and the ever-victorious son of Somadatta." ( 8-9 )

 

Lest the common soldier feel ignored, Duryodhan added, "All my warriors are

heroes

too numerous to mention, expert and experienced in all types of warfare and

weaponry!

I know you are all ready to lay down your lives for my sake!"

 

Indeed they would lay down their lives, for one who sides with injustice cannot

 

but perish in the end. ( 10 )