पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्।

व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता॥

Transliteration:

paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍu-putrāṇām ācārya mahatīṁ camūm

vyūḍhāṁ drupada-putreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā

Meaning:

Behold, O teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by the son of Drupada, your wise disciple.

In this verse, Duryodhana is addressing his teacher, Dronacharya, pointing out the strength of the Pandava army, which is arranged in a military formation by Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Drupada. Duryodhana acknowledges Dhrishtadyumna's capabilities and refers to him as a wise disciple of Dronacharya.

In Today's context - A basketball match

Coach Sharath stood on the ground, watching his basketball team practice. They were getting ready for the championship game against a tough opponent. Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, Coach Sharath knew that careful planning and organization were key to winning, just like in ancient battles.

He spent hours studying the opponent’s tactics, much like Duryodhana observed the Pandava army. Coach Sharath watched game footage to find their strengths and weaknesses. Knowing each of his players had unique skills, he created a strategy that highlighted his team's strengths and took advantage of the opponent's flaws.

Coach Sharath then organized the training sessions carefully. Each practice focused on a specific area, ensuring every player knew their role, similar to the precise positioning of warriors in a formation. The point guard practiced breaking through defenses, the forwards worked on shooting accuracy, and the center focused on rebounding. They covered every part of the game, from offense to defense.

They held regular team meetings to discuss the strategy, keeping everyone on the same page and motivated. Just like Dronacharya’s students trusted his wisdom, the players trusted Coach Sharath’s plan and were committed to it.

On game day, the team was united and ready. They faced their opponents with confidence, their movements in sync like a well-coordinated army. As the game went on, their preparation showed. They predicted the opponent's moves, defended effectively, and seized every opportunity.

When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard showed their victory. The crowd cheered as Coach Sharath and his team celebrated their win. This success was a testament to the power of careful preparation and strategic organization, reflecting the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita’s shloka in today’s world.

Key Takeaways

• Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita:  The anecdote reflects how the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita can be applied in contemporary contexts for achieving success.  Coach Sharath drew inspiration from the strategic wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.
• Detailed Analysis: He spent hours analyzing the opponent’s tactics to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
• Strategic Planning: Created a strategy that highlighted his team's strengths and exploited the opponent's flaws.
• Meticulous Organization: Organized training sessions to focus on specific skills and roles for each player.
• Regular Communication: Held regular team meetings to discuss the strategy and ensure everyone was aligned.
• Trust in Leadership: The players trusted Coach Sharath'’s plan and were committed to executing it.
• Team Coordination: On game day, the team was united and their movements were well-coordinated.
• Effective Execution: The team’s preparation showed during the game, leading to effective defense and offense.
• Successful Outcome: The team won the championship, demonstrating the importance of preparation and organization.

Knowledge Bank

What is the meaning of Seemantham?

Seemantham or Seemanthonnayanam in Sanskrit means to part the hair of a woman from the top middle of the forehead upwards. It is a prenatal samskara performed for the protection of the to-be mother and her child.

What was the curse of Shakuntala?

Dushyanta had secretly married Shakuntala and returned to the palace. He had promised to take her later. Once, Maharshi Durvasa visited. At that time, Shakuntala was lost in the thoughts of Dushyanta. She did not notice the Maharshi's arrival. Durvasa was offended. He cursed that whoever she was thinking about would forget her.