Chapter I · Śloka 7
Duryodhana uvāca
अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम |
नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ||
नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ||
asmākaṃ tu viśiṣṭā ye tān nibodha dvijottama |
nāyakā mama sainyasya saṃjñārthaṃ tān bravīmi te ||
nāyakā mama sainyasya saṃjñārthaṃ tān bravīmi te ||
O best of Brahmanas, let me now tell you the names of the commanders of my own army — the distinguished ones. I name them for your recognition.
The shift from 'their side' to 'our side' shows Duryodhana trying to restore his own confidence. He addresses Drona as dvijottama — best of twice-born — a formal honorific that also reminds the teacher of his caste duty to serve.