偈颂 1.21.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.81.91.101.111.121.131.141.151.161.171.181.191.201.211.221.231.241.251.261.271.281.291.301.311.321.331.341.351.361.371.381.391.401.411.421.431.441.451.461.47

Sanjaya said Having seen the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle-array, King Duryodhana then approached his teacher (Drona) and spoke these words.

Sanjaya said: Seeing the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle order, King Duryodhana then approached his teacher and spoke these words.

Sanjaya begins his report. The first person he describes is Duryodhana, the eldest son of Dhritarashtra and the leader of the Kaurava side. On seeing the Pandava army arranged for battle, he does not go to Bhishma, the commander of his forces, but to his teacher Drona, the master of arms who trained both sides. Calling him king even here reminds us that the throne is what this war is about. The verse quietly suggests unease: the first reaction of the Kaurava leader is to seek reassurance.