Bhagavad-gītā 1.3 – Study Guide
1. Purport Metrics & Overview
| Purport Metrics | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of times cited by Śrīla Prabhupāda | 2 |
| Total No. of Words in Purport | 190 |
| No. of Paragraphs in Purport | 1 |
| Purport Paragraph Title | Duryodhana, the Shrewd Diplomat and Droṇācārya, the Liberal Brāhmaṇa |
High-Level Flow of the Purport:
- Duryodhana’s words are politically charged—he is not just describing the Pāṇḍava army but attempting to manipulate Droṇācārya.
- Droṇācārya had a long-standing enmity with King Drupada, which resulted in Drupada performing a yajña to obtain a son (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) who would kill Droṇācārya.
- Despite knowing this, Droṇācārya trained Dhṛṣṭadyumna in military science as a liberal brāhmaṇa.
- Duryodhana tries to exploit this history to fuel Droṇācārya’s resentment and ensure he fights fiercely.
2. Verse & Translation
Sanskrit:
paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍu-putrāṇām
ācārya mahatīṁ camūm
vyūḍhāṁ drupada-putreṇa
tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā
Translation:
“O my teacher, behold the great army of the sons of Pāṇḍu, so expertly arranged by your intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada.”
3. Connection with Previous Verse
Verse 1.2 introduces Duryodhana’s anxiety upon seeing the well-organized Pāṇḍava army.
Verse 1.3 reveals Duryodhana’s attempt to manipulate his guru to ensure that he fights aggressively.
Key Link:
- Duryodhana first feels fear (1.2), then covers it with diplomacy (1.3).
- He is trying to incite Droṇācārya emotionally, just as he played on Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s fears earlier.
4. Sambandha, Abhidheya, or Prayojana?
Category: Sambandha-tattva (Understanding our relationship with Krishna and the material world)
Sambandha-tattva defines the nature of jīva, īśvara, prakṛti, kāla, and karma.
Duryodhana tries to use material relationships and past grudges to control the battle’s outcome.
His manipulative nature exposes the conditioned soul’s tendency to exploit relationships for material gain instead of acting on dharma.
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Purport Citation:
“Duryodhana pointed out this mistake of Droṇācārya’s so that he might be alert and uncompromising in the fighting.”
✅ This verse is Sambandha-tattva because it highlights:
- Materialistic diplomacy vs. spiritual relationships.
- How emotions like resentment and attachment influence decision-making.
- The conditioned soul’s tendency to use others for selfish purposes.
5. Analysis of Key Terms
Paśya (Behold!)
Duryodhana commands Droṇācārya to look at the Pāṇḍava army—not as a neutral observation but as an attempt to provoke him.
Tava śiṣyeṇa (Your Disciple)
Duryodhana reminds Droṇācārya that Dhṛṣṭadyumna, his own student, is now fighting against him, implying that his teachings were a mistake.
Dhīmatā (Very Intelligent)
He sarcastically calls Dhṛṣṭadyumna “intelligent,” mocking Droṇācārya for training the very person destined to kill him.
6. Connection to the Five Topics of Bhagavad-gītā
| Topic | Connection in Verse 1.3 |
|---|---|
| Īśvara (Supreme Lord) | Krishna orchestrates karma—Dhṛṣṭadyumna is destined to fulfill his role regardless of Duryodhana’s politics. |
| Jīva (Living entity) | Duryodhana represents the conditioned soul, manipulating relationships for selfish gain. |
| Prakṛti (Material nature) | The battlefield and training of warriors are part of prakṛti’s arrangement. |
| Kāla (Time) | Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s destiny to kill Droṇācārya is unfolding with kāla’s influence. |
| Karma (Actions & Results) | Droṇācārya trained his own destroyer, showing how karma manifests in unexpected ways. |
7. Key Points from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Purport
Duryodhana, the Shrewd Diplomat and Droṇācārya, the Liberal Brāhmaṇa
- Duryodhana tries to emotionally manipulate Droṇācārya, ensuring he fights without leniency.
- His words are filled with sarcasm, designed to make Droṇācārya regret training Dhṛṣṭadyumna.
- This verse highlights that envious people will try to exploit even righteous individuals for their own gain.
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Purport Citation:
“Duryodhana also warned that such leniency in the fight would lead to defeat.”
8. Practical Lessons
Cunning Manipulation Leads to Distrust
Duryodhana’s political approach shows that diplomacy without morality leads to chaos and mistrust.
Spiritual Relationships Are Not Based on Material Gain
Droṇācārya trained Dhṛṣṭadyumna despite knowing his destiny, showing his liberal nature, whereas Duryodhana only sees relationships as tools for personal benefit.
Karma Always Plays Out, No Matter Our Intentions
Droṇācārya trained his own destroyer—a reminder that karma cannot be escaped through manipulation.
9. Preaching Relevance & Application
| Preaching Topic | How This Verse is Relevant |
|---|---|
| False Diplomacy vs. Genuine Relationships | Duryodhana seeks to manipulate, while Droṇācārya acted sincerely despite knowing Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s fate. |
| Karma and Destiny | Actions always bear fruit—Droṇācārya’s training of Dhṛṣṭadyumna was part of Krishna’s plan. |
| Material vs. Spiritual Perspective | Duryodhana only sees temporary politics, while dharma operates on a higher level. |
10. Conclusion
Bhagavad-gītā 1.3 reveals Duryodhana’s manipulative tactics, showing how conditioned souls exploit relationships for personal gain. He sarcastically reminds Droṇācārya of his mistake, hoping to fuel his resentment and make him fight fiercely. However, karma and destiny cannot be altered through diplomacy, and Krishna’s plan unfolds regardless of material calculations.