Bhagavad-Gita: Chapter 1, Verse 3

Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

Duryodhana in order to kindle some anger in the heart of his preceptor Drona, speaks about the excellence of the Pandava army cynically using the words: Behold the mighty army of the Pandavas well arranged in military phalanx. Here Duryodhana is conveying to Drona that the Pandavas have come prepared to engage in battle. Duryodhana wants to further incite Drona against the Pandavas by the use of the word Behold implying that with unmitigated arrogance the Pandavas are fast approaching without waiting for us to start who are depending upon Drona himself. If Drona then puts forth that the Pandavas are his pupils as well and due to Yudhisthira being elder have the right to start before you if they so desire. But Duryodhana anticipating that response, overtly mentions Dhritadyumna the commander of the Pandava army by calling him the son of Drupada, to remind Drona of his being the son of his mortal enemy, so there should be no compassion for them. If Drona then argues that one should not fight with the son of an enemy who is commander of an opposing army, Duryodhana by also referring to Dhritadyumna as Dronas disciple neutralises that argument by the offence incurred of his in choosing to fight against a preceptor a condemned action so there is no doubt as to motivation. Duryodhana by also calling Dhristadyumna intelligent suggests that everything as a pupil he learned from Drona would now be used against him so there should be no hesitation or neglect towards him as he has made up his mind to take Dronas life.

What Sanjaya is subtlety conveying to Dhritarastra is that his son, King Duryodhana uninfluenced by the sanctity Kuruksetra possesses no inclination for righteousness. A serpent even though fed with milk does give up its venom; on the contrary it increases its poison and anger. So also the same regarding your son, you should not worry that he will ever return to the kingdom to the Pandavas for he definitely will not.