Verse 11.34

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 11.34:

{DEV}

droṇaṃ ca bhīṣmaṃ ca jayadrathaṃ ca karṇaṃ tathānyān api yodha-vīrān |
mayā hatāṃs tvaṃ jahi mā vyathiṣṭhā yudhyasva jetāsi raṇe sapatnān || 34 ||

droṇam–Droṇa; ca–and; bhīṣmam–Bhīṣma; ca–and; jayadratham–Jayadratha; ca–and; karṇam–Karṇa; tathā–also; anyān–other; api–although; yodha-vīrān–heroes among the fighters; mayā–by Me; hatān–already slain; tvam–you; jahi–you must slay; mā vyathiṣṭhāḥ–do not be disturbed; yudhyasva–just fight; jetāsi–you shall vanquish; raṇe–in battle; sapatnān–enemies.

Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Jayadratha, Karṇa and many other great heroes have already been destroyed by Me, so simply kill them and do not be disturbed. Your victory in battle is assured; therefore fight.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti

(By Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja; the explanation that illuminates the commentary named Sārārtha-varṣiṇī)

There is a hidden meaning to the statement, “I have already killed Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Jayadratha, Karṇa and others.” Bhagavān is saying that when all the warriors on the side of the Kauravas were publicly insulting Draupadī by disrobing her, at that time they were all killed by Him because of their heinous offence to a great devotee. “I have made these people stand before you like puppets, only to give you fame. It is as if they are already lifeless. Just be the instrument in killing them.”

Śrī Kṛṣṇa had already taken the life force of all the heroes who were participating in the battle of Mahābhārata. Similarly, in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhīṣma prayed as follows:

sapadi sakhi-vaco niśamya madhye nija-parayor balayo rathaṃ niveśya
sthitavati para-sainikāyur akṣṇā hṛtavati pārtha-sakhe ratir mamāstu

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.9.35)

Let my supreme attachment be to that Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who, upon hearing the request of His friend Arjuna to situate his chariot between both armies, immediately brought the chariot to that spot. “There is Droṇa, there is Bhīṣma.” On the pretext of pointing out the warriors in the opposing party He shortened their life just with His glance.