Shloka 17

Arjuna Vishada Yoga — The Yoga of Arjuna's Despondency

Devanagari script

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः । धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥ १.१७ ॥

Transliteration

kāśyaś ca parameṣvāsaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca mahā-rathaḥ | dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaś ca sātyakiś cāparājitaḥ || 1.17 ||

Translation

And the supreme archer, the king of Kāśī; and Śikhaṇḍī, the great chariot-warrior; Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Virāṭa; and Sātyaki, the unconquered—

Gita Press Meaning

“परम धनुर्धर काशिराज, महारथी शिखण्डी, धृष्टद्युम्न, विराट और अपराजित सात्यकि (भी)…”

Critical Edition Meaning

“And Kāśya the supreme archer; and Śikhaṇḍin the great chariot-warrior; and Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Virāṭa; and Sātyaki, unconquered…”

Comparative Note

यह पद्य अगले श्लोक (1.18) के साथ मिलकर शंख-ध्वनि करने वालों की सूची पूर्ण करता है; 1.17 में क्रिया (शंख बजाना) निहित है और 1.18 में स्पष्ट होती है।

Word by Word

• काश्यः: Kāśya (the king of Kāśī)
• काश्यः: Karta
• Root: काश्य (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च

• परमेष्वासः: the supreme archer (excellent bowman)
• परमेष्वासः: Karta
• Root: परमेष्वास (प्रातिपदिक)

• शिखण्डी: Śikhaṇḍī
• शिखण्डी: Karta
• Root: शिखण्डिन् (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च

• महारथः: a great chariot-warrior
• महारथः: Karta
• Root: महारथ (प्रातिपदिक)

• धृष्टद्युम्नः: Dhṛṣṭadyumna
• धृष्टद्युम्नः: Karta
• Root: धृष्टद्युम्न (प्रातिपदिक)

• विराटः: Virāṭa
• विराटः: Karta
• Root: विराट् (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च

• सात्यकिः: Sātyaki
• सात्यकिः: Karta
• Root: सात्यकि (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च

• अपराजितः: unconquered; undefeated
• अपराजितः: Karta
• Root: अपराजित (प्रातिपदिक)

Speakers

• Sañjaya (narrator)

Primary Concepts

• Heroic ideals (vīra)
• Reputation and epithet
• Social role

Key Themes

• Characterization through epithets
• Coalition and allies
• Narrative cataloging

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Epithets like “supreme archer” and “unconquered” function as confidence-language, reinforcing self-concept and group expectation.

Metaphysical meaning?

No direct metaphysical claim is made; the verse operates at the level of narrative identity and social ideals.

Contextual relevance?

This is part of a formal enumeration of notable allies on the Pāṇḍava side, preparing for the collective signal described in the next verse.

Modern Application?

Shows how organizations use titles and recognitions to clarify expertise and encourage responsibility—ideally with ethical restraint.