Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 9

Chapter 1 – Arjuna Vishada Yoga · Speaker: Sanjaya

Sanskrit verse

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः ।
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥

Transliteration

anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ .
nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ ॥

Meaning

And there are many other heroes who have given up all hope of life for my sake, armed with many kinds of weapons, and all skilled in war.

Word meanings

अन्ये – others
च – and
बहवः – many
शूराः – heroes
मदर्थे – for my sake
त्यक्तजीविताः – ready to lay down their lives
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः – bearing many kinds of weapons
सर्वे – all
युद्धविशारदाः – skilled in warfare

Anvaya (word order)

अन्ये च बहवः शूराः मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः, नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः, सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः (सन्ति) ।

Explanation

Having named the chief commanders, Duryodhana refers to the rest collectively. His army included many famous kings and heroes such as Shalya, Jayadratha, Bhagadatta, Kritavarma, Shakuni and Susharma. Instead of naming them all, he says they are ready to die 'for my sake'.

The word madarthe, 'for me', paints a clear picture of Duryodhana's ego. He sees this war as fought neither for dharma nor for the kingdom, but for himself; the whole army is an instrument of his personal interest. In contrast, Arjuna will soon say that those for whose sake one desires a kingdom and pleasures are the very ones standing here ready to give up their lives (1.33). How different the two outlooks are!

Tyaktajivitah literally means 'those who have given up their lives'. Commentators see an unconscious truth in it: without knowing it, Duryodhana foretells that these heroes will indeed lose their lives. Sometimes destiny speaks even through the words of the unrighteous.

With nanashastrapraharanah and yuddhavisharadah he stresses the technical superiority of his forces. Yet no abundance of weapons or skill can make up for the inner strength that comes from standing on the side of dharma.

Context

After naming the chief leaders in verse 8, Duryodhana here speaks of the other heroes as a group. In the next verse he compares the two armies.

Life lesson

One who treats everyone merely as a means to his own ends is finally left alone. Leadership does not mean demanding sacrifice from others for oneself, but offering oneself for the good of all.

Key terms

Madarthe: for my sake; a sign of Duryodhana's self-centredness
Tyaktajivita: one who has given up attachment to life
Yuddhavisharada: expert in the art of war