Bhagavad Gita - Daily One Verse Brief Explanation - II 1:17 II

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II 1:17 II

 

kasyas ca paramesv-asah, sikhandi ca maha-rathah

dhrishtadyumno viratas ca, satyakis caparajitah (Gita 1:17)

 

O Lord of earth, the king of Kasi, the excellent archer and

Sikhandi, the great chariot warrior, Dhrstadyumna and Virata, and

the invincible Satyaki.

 

From Gita Prabodhani in Hindi pg. 9 by Swami Ramsukhdasji

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Chapter 1, Verse 17 is as follows;

 

KaashyaH = the King of Kashi

Cha = and

ParameshwaasaH = excellent archer

Shikhandee = Shikhandi

Cha = and

MahaarathaH = mighty chariot warrior

DhrishtadyumnaH = Dhrishtadyumna

ViraataH = Virata

Cha = and

SaatyakiH = Satyaki

Cha = and

AparaajitaH = unconquered

 

English translation:-

 

The Ruler of Kashi - the expert archer and Shikhandi - the great

chariot warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata and Satyaki - the

invincible; blew their own respective conches.

 

Kashiraja, the ruler of Kashi was an expert archer.

 

Shikhandi being a eunuch was devoid of beard and moustache. At

birth, she was a girl secretly named as `Shikhandini' by her father

king Drupad. However, Drupad and his wife announced to the rest of

the world, that he is a boy called as `Shikhandi'. He was married

off to Hiranyavarma's daughter. Obviously the marriage could not be

consummated and Shikhandi left the palace and met a Yaksha called as

`SthunaakarNa'. With the help of his yogic power, he performed her

transformation into a man and transformed himself into a woman in

exchange. As per Mahaabhaarata, Shikhandi was called as `Amba' in

her prior birth and was the eldest of the three daughters of king of

Kashi. In order to create heir to the Kuru kingdom, those three

daughters were forcibly abducted by Bheeshma so as to marry them off

to his step-brother `Vichitraveerya' – the son of Shantanu and

Satyavati. Amba refused to marry Vichitraveerya as she wanted to

marry king `Shalvaraj'. Amba was allowed to go to Shalvaraj, but

instead of accepting her honourably, he insulted her and drove her

away. In order to avenge the insult, she worshipped Lord Shankara

and received a boon from him that she will be born as Shikhandi in

her next birth and will become responsible for the death of

Bheeshmaachaarya in the royal battle.

 

Dhyumna means power. Dhrishta means one who defeats enemy.

Dhrishtadyumna means one who cannot be successfully encountered by

anybody. Dhrishtadyumna was son of King Drupad.

 

Virata was the king of Matsyas. His daughter Uttara was Abhimanyu's

wife. Their son, Pariksheeta ruled the Kuru kingdom after the

departure of Pandavaas to the Himaalayaas.

 

Yuyudhana, also known as Satyaki was a king of Yadavaas. He was dear

to Lord Krishna.

 

Thanks & Best Regards,

Shrikant Joshi

---

 

Shree Hari

Ram Ram

Thank you Mrs. K Asani for requesting shloka explanation on a daily

basis and Thank you Shri Shrikantji Joshi for taking the initiative

to support this divine work.

From Gita Talk Moderators

Ram Ram