Bhagavad Gita · Arjuna Vishada YogaChapter 1, Shloka 8 (1.8)

The order of the list — "bhavān" first of all. Duryodhana does not first name Bhishma, the chief commander of his army — he first says bhavān, "you" — that is, Drona. Madhusudana Sarasvati regards this as deliberate: he was named before Bhishma to please the teacher.

Why "samitiñjaya" with Kripa? Madhusudana makes an almost psychological observation: Kripa's name was taken after Karna's. Lest Kripa take offence at this, the epithet "victorious in battle" was added to his name — to keep his honour intact.

Ashvatthama before Vikarna. Vikarna was Duryodhana's own younger brother. Yet the name of Drona's son Ashvatthama comes first. According to Madhusudana this too is for the teacher's satisfaction — honouring the teacher's son ahead of his own brother.

So this list does not only tell us "who is who"; it shows that Duryodhana is placing every name with political shrewdness — keeping Drona happy is his priority.

Names and identities:

• Bhishma: the eldest of the Kuru line, chief commander of the Kaurava army.
• Karna: Kunti's first son (a secret not known to everyone at this time), Duryodhana's closest friend. An important fact: according to the Mahabharata, Karna had vowed not to fight as long as Bhishma was commander; he entered the battle after Bhishma fell. Yet Duryodhana counts him among his chief warriors.
• Kripa (Kripacharya): the first teacher of arms to the Kuru princes; Ashvatthama's maternal uncle.
• Ashvatthama: Drona's only son.
• Vikarna: Duryodhana's younger brother. In the Mahabharata he was one of the very few Kauravas who protested the humiliation of Draupadi in the dice hall.
• Saumadatti (Bhurishrava): son of Somadatta. Madhusudana: saumadattiḥ somadattasya putraḥ … bhūriśravāḥ.

A textual variant (paath-bhed): Madhusudana Sarasvati records that in some places (kvacit pāṭhaḥ) the last quarter of this shloka is read as "सिन्धुराजस्तथैव च" — "and also the king of Sindhu (Jayadratha)" — in place of "सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च". Our base text and the second independent text both read "saumadattiḥ"; we keep that, but it is right to tell readers about this variant.