Bhagavad Gita 1.17 — The King of Kashi, Shikhandi, and Other Warriors Join the Sound
काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः ।
धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥ १.१७ ॥
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The king of Kashi, the supreme archer, and Shikhandi, the great chariot warrior; Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and Satyaki, the unconquered.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kāśhyaḥ | the king of Kashi |
| cha | and |
| parameṣhvāsaḥ | the supreme archer |
| śhikhaṇḍī | Shikhandi |
| mahārathaḥ | a great chariot warrior |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dhṛṣhṭadyumnaḥ | Dhrishtadyumna |
| virāṭaḥ | Virata |
| cha | and |
| sātyakiḥ | Satyaki |
| aparājitaḥ | the unconquered |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kāśhyaḥ | the king of Kashi | dhṛṣhṭadyumnaḥ | Dhrishtadyumna |
| cha | and | virāṭaḥ | Virata |
| parameṣhvāsaḥ | the supreme archer | cha | and |
| śhikhaṇḍī | Shikhandi | sātyakiḥ | Satyaki |
| mahārathaḥ | a great chariot warrior | aparājitaḥ | the unconquered |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Sañjaya now turns from the five brothers to their allies. The great archer who is the king of Kāśī, the mighty Śikhaṇḍī, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa and the unconquered Sātyaki all raise their conches. The Pāṇḍava side is revealed to be not a handful of heroes but a whole community of courageous people.
Essence
Here the narration widens to include the supporting warriors.
A. Kāśyaś ca parameṣvāsaḥ (the king of Kāśī, the supreme archer)
The king of Kāśī was earlier named by Duryodhana, and here he is called parameṣvāsa, a supreme archer. The same person is described, but now through the narrator's eyes rather than through the eyes of a worried king.
B. Śikhaṇḍī ca mahārathaḥ (Śikhaṇḍī, the great chariot warrior)
Śikhaṇḍī, the brother of Draupadī and Dhṛṣṭadyumna, holds a special place in the story. Bhīṣma had vowed never to fight him, because of Śikhaṇḍī's earlier birth. For this reason, Śikhaṇḍī's presence is quietly important to Bhīṣma's fate, and Duryodhana's anxious order to 'protect Bhīṣma' in verse 11 may have been influenced by this very concern.
C. Dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaś ca sātyakiś cāparājitaḥ
Dhṛṣṭadyumna is the commander of the Pāṇḍava army. Virāṭa is the king who sheltered the Pāṇḍavas in their final year in hiding. Sātyaki is called aparājita, unconquered, a Yādava warrior and student of Arjuna. Each of these figures chose, out of conviction or friendship, to stand with the cause of dharma.
Message for Everyday Life (The Power of Allies)
No meaningful work is accomplished alone. The Pāṇḍavas' strength lies not just in their own skill but in the people who stand with them. This is a good reminder for our own lives: those who have supported us, whether quietly or openly, deserve our gratitude. It is also an invitation to be an ally to others, standing with those who are working for what is right.
Here the narration widens to include the supporting warriors.
A. Kāśyaś ca parameṣvāsaḥ (the king of Kāśī, the supreme archer)
The king of Kāśī was earlier named by Duryodhana, and here he is called parameṣvāsa, a supreme archer. The same person is described, but now through the narrator's eyes rather than through the eyes of a worried king.
B. Śikhaṇḍī ca mahārathaḥ (Śikhaṇḍī, the great chariot warrior)
Śikhaṇḍī, the brother of Draupadī and Dhṛṣṭadyumna, holds a special place in the story. Bhīṣma had vowed never to fight him, because of Śikhaṇḍī's earlier birth. For this reason, Śikhaṇḍī's presence is quietly important to Bhīṣma's fate, and Duryodhana's anxious order to 'protect Bhīṣma' in verse 11 may have been influenced by this very concern.
C. Dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaś ca sātyakiś cāparājitaḥ
Dhṛṣṭadyumna is the commander of the Pāṇḍava army. Virāṭa is the king who sheltered the Pāṇḍavas in their final year in hiding. Sātyaki is called aparājita, unconquered, a Yādava warrior and student of Arjuna. Each of these figures chose, out of conviction or friendship, to stand with the cause of dharma.
Message for Everyday Life (The Power of Allies)
No meaningful work is accomplished alone. The Pāṇḍavas' strength lies not just in their own skill but in the people who stand with them. This is a good reminder for our own lives: those who have supported us, whether quietly or openly, deserve our gratitude. It is also an invitation to be an ally to others, standing with those who are working for what is right.
Next Topic
The allies have raised their conches. The next verse completes the list with Drupada, the sons of Draupadī and the young Abhimanyu, and tells us that conches rang out from every side of the Pāṇḍava host.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Good causes find companions.
Different strengths make a stronger whole.
Invincibility is a state of mind before it is a state of battle.
One great team is made of many quiet contributions.
Showing up is the first act of courage.
Skill finds its worth in the cause it serves.
A shared call turns many into one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'parameṣhvāsaḥ' (supreme archer) mean?
Who is Shikhandi?
Who are Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki?
What does 'aparājitaḥ' (unconquered) imply about Satyaki?
What is the larger message of this list?
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