Chapter 1Verse 8 of 47

Bhagavad Gita 1.8

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः । अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥

bhavān bhīṣmaś ca karṇaś ca kṛpaś ca samitiṃ-jayaḥ | aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca saumadattis tathaiva ca ||

Translation

Yourself, and Bhishma, and Karna, and Kripa, victorious in battle; Ashvatthama and Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta likewise.

The first name in the list of his own great ones is Drona himself. Bhavān. You. He cannot deliver this speech without putting his teacher inside it as both audience and inventory. Then Bhishma, the grandfather. Karna, the friend. Kripa, the second teacher. Ashvatthama, the teacher's son. The closest people in his life named as the wall between him and defeat. Notice that he has not yet mentioned his own brothers.

Reflection

Who is the first person you name when you are trying to feel safe?

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