Bhagavad Gita — Arjuna Vishada Yoga, Shloka 5

Arjuna Vishada Yoga

Devanagari script

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान् । पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥

Transliteration

dhṛṣṭaketuś cekitānaḥ kāśirājaś ca vīryavān | purujit kuntibhojaś ca śaibyaś ca narapuṅgavaḥ ||

Translation

Dhṛṣṭaketu and Cekitāna, and the valiant king of Kāśī; and Purujit and Kuntibhoja, and Śaibya—the best among men.

Gita Press Meaning

Dhṛṣṭaketu, Cekitāna, the valiant king of Kāśī, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Śaibya, the best of men.

Critical Edition Meaning

Dhṛṣṭaketu and Cekitāna, and the powerful king of Kāśī; Purujit and Kuntibhoja; and Śaibya, bull among men.

Comparative Note

‘narapuṅgava’ is an idiom meaning ‘best of men’ (literally ‘bull among men’). Some translators smooth the animal metaphor; the sense is honorific.

Word by Word

• धृष्टकेतुः: Dhrishtaketu (a warrior/king)
• धृष्टकेतुः: Karta
• Root: धृष्टकेतु (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च (निपात)

• चेकितानः: Chekitana (a warrior)
• चेकितानः: Karta
• Root: चेकितान (प्रातिपदिक)

• काशिराजः: the king of Kāśī
• काशिराजः: Karta
• Root: काशिराज (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च (निपात)

• वीर्यवान्: possessing valor; mighty
• वीर्यवान्: Karta
• Root: वीर्यवत् (प्रातिपदिक)

• पुरुजित्: Purujit (a warrior)
• पुरुजित्: Karta
• Root: पुरुजित् (प्रातिपदिक)

• कुन्तिभोजः: Kuntibhoja (king of the Kunti country)
• कुन्तिभोजः: Karta
• Root: कुन्तिभोज (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च (निपात)

• शैब्यः: Shaibya (a warrior/king)
• शैब्यः: Karta
• Root: शैब्य (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च (निपात)

• नरपुङ्गवः: bull among men; best of men
• नरपुङ्गवः: Karta
• Root: नरपुङ्गव (प्रातिपदिक)

Speakers

• Duryodhana
• Droṇa

Primary Concepts

• Kīrti (renown)
• Saṅgha (coalitions/alliances)
• Dharma (social order and kingship)

Key Themes

• Alliance networks
• Honorific language and status
• Political landscape of the epic

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Enumerations can amplify perceived threat or motivate preparedness. The honorifics also reinforce a worldview where status and reputation matter in decision-making.

Metaphysical meaning?

Names and titles point to the social fabric in which dharma operates: ethical life is embedded in relationships, institutions, and collective identities.

Contextual relevance?

The verse extends the roster of prominent supporters on the Pāṇḍava side, contributing to the prelude of strategic appraisal.

Modern Application?

In complex problems, it helps to map stakeholders and alliances. The verse models a (morally neutral) practice of situational awareness.